Solid VS Coppered Marans

[Country Marans]

I can't seem to find an answer to my question, so here goes: I have some Marans hens, some blue, one black. The thing is, only one hen has coppering on her head and neck. Is this bad? Also, I have heard that there is a difference between black and 'true black.' Do they lay darker eggs or something? Really, all I want to know is that If I can or should sell their chicks. They are nine weeks, and I have a black-copper rooster. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[ShannonR]

The coppering on the neck is more desirable in Marans, yes. You could still sell the chicks as they would still be Marans(I think, they really are Marans yea?), they just wouldn't be SQ or anything. Many people keep the breed for those dark eggs only though!

 

[Wappoke]

I can't seem to find an answer to my question, so here goes: I have some Marans hens, some blue, one black. The thing is, only one hen has coppering on her head and neck. Is this bad? Also, I have heard that there is a difference between black and 'true black.' Do they lay darker eggs or something? Really, all I want to know is that If I can or should sell their chicks. They are nine weeks, and I have a black-copper rooster. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

the black variety should be all black ( male or female) while black copper females should have red feathers in the neck hackles while males will have red in the saddle hackles, back, part of the wing and in the neck hackles.

the genes that produce the black copper can also be found in blacks- blacks also have other genes that cause them to be black


a black copper gene ( birchen) plus a gene called melanotic will produce the black variety with lighter colored legs

blacks with darker legs do not carry the black copper gene they carry another gene called extended black


egg color is dependent on the breeders ability to breed for darker colored eggs

poor breeding can produce any variety will lighter colored eggs

 

[Country Marans]

Thanks! I'm noticing some copper on one or both of the blues, now. I guess I just got some with poor (or hopefully just late-blooming) copper genes. I'm thankful now that my rooster has some coppering on his breast, which should produce better-coppered females?

 

[Wappoke]

Thanks! I'm noticing some copper on one or both of the blues, now. I guess I just got some with poor (or hopefully just late-blooming) copper genes. I'm thankful now that my rooster has some coppering on his breast, which should produce better-coppered females?

The black copper male may be carrying a restrictor that is causing the red in the breast. You can cross the male with the females producing an F1 generation. Then take the best looking female F1 and back cross to the parent male. You should get some males and females that are black coppers from the back cross.

 

[Country Marans]

Oh, okay. That's called line-breeding, right? I might try that. It sounds way better than starting all over. I just love how friendly these ones are, thanks, you're a life saver!