Totally agree with this. I set 40 Marans eggs last year and have 1-2 pullets and 1-2 cockerels I would breed forward. Even with a great hatch rate, you’ll have plenty of culls.
He is a good looking dude. My question for the others is this photo. Is this split wing? 80% of my birds have similar wing feathering and I am considering it split wing, kinda hoping it molts out.
Thanks! I am hoping the split wing that I am seeing will molt out. The copper is looking very light almost golden/yellow. There are a couple cockerels in the younger hatch who have the richer copper color.
A few pics of the Easter hatch Marans. All 11 weeks old now. Split wing still seems to be an issue with this hatch, but I will wait to see what a full molt does down the road with the chosen ones.
Pullet #21
Pullet #7
Cockerel #20
Cockerel #unknown
Untagged cockerel with great coloring...
I did a little brooder cleaning and separated hatch 2(KY boy Buster over my two girls). Out 17 I got 8 hens and 9 roos and a few of them not showing split wing. 2 hens and 4 roos look to be feathering out well. A little early to tell on the side sprigs but I am still tickled. Couple pics...
not exact ratios. Mostly 22% protein crumbles or meat bird feed and cracked corn. Corn is all carbs. So maybe 75% crumbles and 25% cracked corn. This is something fairly new to me so take it for what it’s worth. There may be better/cheaper ways to get the results we are looking for.
I wouldn’t go past 16 weeks if you are going to grill. IMO after 16 wks they are roasters andafter 6 months they are soup.
I just sent 11 to fat camp for 4-6 weeks. Kept on high protein and corn until plump.
none of the parents have split wing. Buster has half brother who does have split wing and hens have a half brother who also has split wing(my other cock bird). Assuming you are right on with all parents being recessive carries which gave me 100% split wing chicks on first hatch. Is it possible...
Well, split wing and side sprigs continue to rule the flock. 8 of the 11 first hatch were boys and all 8 have split wing, 2 with what looks like a side sprig. They are 7 weeks. I haven’t gone over the 3 girls yet but expect similar results. The second hatch of 17 is only two weeks now so will...
Fluffy butts all over. These are the first pure BCM of this year, Kfelton’s cockerel over my two hens. Excited to see the results. Great fertility and hatch rate, 13 set, 1 clear and 1 failed to thrive at hatch. 11 healthy chicks. Should be able to set another 14-16 eggs this weekend. Hatch...
rooster B via Kfelton. Decent frame boy with longer back. Great tail angle. Good comb texture(no side sprigs:)). Lots of copper coloring, copper ear tufts, a little halo. Great bright eyes. Slight taper to the rear. Few white feathers on feet.
Rooster A. Half sibling to both pullets. Has split wing and large comb with poor texture. Good size boy With dark copper coloring, dark eyes. Great tail. Wide all the way back. Maybe a little short in the back.
Pullets A and B. They are half sisters, both have side sprigs, good feathered feet, low tails and lay a 5-6 egg.
Pullet A (on left) is smaller in mass (haven’t weighed any birds) than B with little taper to tail. Little copper in hackles.
Pullet B (on right) is a plump girl wide all the way...
I hope everyone had a happy new year and Chooks Man, I hope you are staying safe.
I am beginning to think hard on the pairing for this breeding season and need a little guidance. I now have two bcm roosters (thanks Kfelton) and I am not sure the best way to use both Roos over just two pullets...