Which Black Copper Marans Rooster should I keep?

[Ashley Meadows Farm]

I have 2 black copper marans roosters that are 8 weeks old today. One is quite a bit bigger than the other but i know they are the same age (I hatched them). I'm trying to decide which one to keep. I would grow them out longer but I have a good home for one now. I'm new to this breed so any help or guidance with the SOP would be lovely. Thanks

 

[WingItRanch]

@wrathsfarm

 

[wrathsfarm]

I'd keep the bigger one (A) if these were my 2 options.

Let me preface this with I'm no expert but I'll tag someone with much better knowledge to help out.
I'll also say that it is way too early to know which one will be the better of the 2. I don't make any selections in my BCM males before 19 weeks of age. They are growing and changing too much.
With that here's my early opinion.
Cockerel A is bigger obviously. They both have too much copper in the chest. It might molt out by 18 months, it may not. If it doesn't you want to mate these to your females with little to no copper in their hackles. This should produce correct full copper in the progeny. (Think balance....over colored x under colored)
I like A's leg stance better than B's. It's not as wide as it should be but better.
I like his tail angle also. He might be just a tad long in the back but could be just the pic.
B's comb looks slightly better but that's an easy fix.

Like said, they're going to change too much for me to make a good judgement call but working with what you have, I like A the best.

@BlueTheBrahma what's your thoughts?

 

[MountainWoman73]

Ahh. Good luck making your choice!

I made this exact same decision this year, with two BCM brothers I hatched. I chose wrong. According to his new owner, Buster Midnight is a total sweet potato. And his brother, who I kept, is now named Johnny Jackass. He's getting killed soon.

 

[Karlkurla Chooks]

I would keep them both, to wait and see which one turns out as the troublemaker.

 

[wrathsfarm]

@Ashley Meadows Farm

Here's a thread that is well worth a read thru to help with everything Marans SOP related. I frequent this thread for all my questions and guidance from the members and breeders there focused on not just the Black Coppers but all Marans varieties.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-marans-thread-breeding-to-the-sop.1122465/


I have my own thread here that's randomness of my personal journey and passion with not only my Black Coppers but now starting my other flock of BBS Silver Marans which are not an APA recognized variety yet but adhere to same SOP as BCMs.

I started with 5 hatchery BCMs day olds 4 years ago, and got serious about breeding towards SOP in 2023 and now have 22 Marans at the moment. I still have a lot to learn yet but getting there is the fun part working with my birds.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wraths-marans.1625296/

 

[Ashley Meadows Farm]

I'd keep the bigger one (A) if these were my 2 options.

Let me preface this with I'm no expert but I'll tag someone with much better knowledge to help out.
I'll also say that it is way too early to know which one will be the better of the 2. I don't make any selections in my BCM males before 19 weeks of age. They are growing and changing too much.
With that here's my early opinion.
Cockerel A is bigger obviously. They both have too much copper in the chest. It might molt out by 18 months, it may not. If it doesn't you want to mate these to your females with little to no copper in their hackles. This should produce correct full copper in the progeny. (Think balance....over colored x under colored)
I like A's leg stance better than B's. It's not as wide as it should be but better.
I like his tail angle also. He might be just a tad long in the back but could be just the pic.
B's comb looks slightly better but that's an easy fix.

Like said, they're going to change too much for me to make a good judgement call but working with what you have, I like A the best.

@BlueTheBrahma what's your thoughts?

Thanks for the feedback! I was going to keep them longer and pick one after they matured but I have a really good home for one right now. The lady has some hens around the same age but doesn't have a rooster. She's retired and just walks around with her chickens all day lol. I was leaning toward keeping the bigger one (A) since he's been attempting to crow since he was not even 4 weeks old. I just felt like he might have a little to much "personality" for her. I liked A better as well.

 

[Ashley Meadows Farm]

I would keep them both, to wait and see which one turns out as the troublemaker.

I have a really good home for one of them that's the only reason I was choosing now. I tend to get along with the troublemakers my husband not so much tehehehe. The lady has a bunch of hens the same age and wants a BCM roo. She's retired and just hangs out with her chickens all day.

 

[Mrs. K]

They hatched the same day, I assume had equal opportunity for feed. The larger one is thriftier.

Do go through the SOP’s. Do weigh them, and feel the keel bone, take measurements accordingly to the SOP, even if you are unsure. You will get better results.

Always check beaks and feet for alignment. I too would keep A. It is a crapshoot, especially when this young.

 

[Ashley Meadows Farm]

Ahh. Good luck making your choice!

I made this exact same decision this year, with two BCM brothers I hatched. I chose wrong. According to his new owner, Buster Midnight is a total sweet potato. And his brother, who I kept, is now named Johnny Jackass. He's getting killed soon.

They hatched the same day, I assume had equal opportunity for feed. The larger one is thriftier.

Do go through the SOP’s. Do weigh them, and feel the keel bone, take measurements accordingly to the SOP, even if you are unsure. You will get better results.

Always check beaks and feet for alignment. I too would keep A. It is a crapshoot, especially when this young.

Thanks for the input. I will definitely check beaks and feet and try to learn about measurements. A started the same size but QUICKLY became bigger and denser. It's was like picking up a bullfrog when you grab him. I figured if he doesn't turn out good im sure there will be another rooster I'm another rbatch of chicks.