I have two black copper Marans roosters to keep. 4 chicks hatched out of my darkest eggs this summer. Three roosters and one hen. The 3rd cockerel I am not considering because of some undesirable traits. Here are pictures of the two they both have pro’s & con’s when looking at sop.
Cockerel #1
Pros:
Pink soles feet
Correct lobe on comb
Eye color bright
No chest leakage
Cons:
Slight halo lighter copper on neck
Slightly smaller than other cockerel
(He was picked on and lost some tail feathers from bullying when first moved to big coop)
Slightly smaller head than other cockerel
Cockerel #2
Pros:
Deep copper color on neck
Body size
Head size
Leg stance
Cons:
Chest leakage
Extra comb lobes
Darker eyes
Darker legs almost black
1 or 2 feathers on middle toe
Cockerel #1 is my favorite and is nicer I think since I had to put medicine on its back and has more overall favorable trait.
Cockerel #2 I am drawn to because of its deep copper neck but has faults such as chest leakage, eyes, legs, and comb.
My two marans hens I plan to breed are over-melanized (don’t show much copper) so I thought he might not be bad to keep. Or is it best to choose cockerel number 1 who is the best overall SOP minus the lighter copper neck. Thank you.
Cockerel #1
Pros:
Pink soles feet
Correct lobe on comb
Eye color bright
No chest leakage
Cons:
Slight halo lighter copper on neck
Slightly smaller than other cockerel
(He was picked on and lost some tail feathers from bullying when first moved to big coop)
Slightly smaller head than other cockerel
Cockerel #2
Pros:
Deep copper color on neck
Body size
Head size
Leg stance
Cons:
Chest leakage
Extra comb lobes
Darker eyes
Darker legs almost black
1 or 2 feathers on middle toe
Cockerel #1 is my favorite and is nicer I think since I had to put medicine on its back and has more overall favorable trait.
Cockerel #2 I am drawn to because of its deep copper neck but has faults such as chest leakage, eyes, legs, and comb.
My two marans hens I plan to breed are over-melanized (don’t show much copper) so I thought he might not be bad to keep. Or is it best to choose cockerel number 1 who is the best overall SOP minus the lighter copper neck. Thank you.
