International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[realenthusiast]

breeding is a sort of lottery. you need 4-5 years to get good birds. if you want to show your birds read this thread from the beginning. @Chooks man gave precious information.

I figured as much, I have so so much to learn. But I am all in on breeding the best quality birds I can. I have an unexplainable urge to win a show with a bird I bred.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Thoughts on the type of this Blue Copper cockerel - he's just a little over 5 months old (23 weeks). Also, any thoughts on this really young Black Copper pullet(10 weeks), and this Splash Pullet (23 weeks). Really trying to get a grasp on what type I should be looking for with the breed.

Do you have any more pictures of him? If I could get a few more from different angles and stances I will happily give you a breakdown of points.
I’m really liking his head so far, lovely comb serrations.

 

[realenthusiast]

Do you have any more pictures of him? If I could get a few more from different angles and stances I will happily give you a breakdown of points.
I’m really liking his head so far, lovely comb serrations.

I’ve got tons of pics of this guy

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I’ve got tons of pics of this guyView attachment 4231808View attachment 4231811View attachment 4231813View attachment 4231815View attachment 4231817

This is my judging of him, using the Marans Club of Great Britain’s points system, but the French Standard.

Type, carriage and table merits: 30/40

Good width and low tail. Nice, heavy frame, but loses points for type. Too triangular in type, even if his body is big, it’s not long enough throughout the breast and keel.

Size and quality: 15/20

Looks big and strong, but triangle shape suggests lack of developed breast muscle.

Colour and Markings: 10/15

Difficult to judge as blue coppers don’t have an actual standard (they aren’t a recognised show variety), but distribution of ground vs pattern seems perfect. Blue could do with clearer outside lacing and copper could be bolder.

Head: 8/10 very nice comb ruined by the twist on the tip of the blade. Eye could be redder.

Condition: 10/10

Looks bright faced and well kept

Legs and feet: 4/5

Very strong, well set legs and well coloured. Feathering too heavy, approaching middle toe.

Overall:77/100

Not champion range but a very strong effort. Most points lost on type, but as a dual purpose breed there is reason for our focus on this category (you’ll notice it’s worth 40% of total points). Are you planning to breed him to marans hens? If so, a very good foundation of a line if paired with the right hens.

 

[realenthusiast]

This is my judging of him, using the Marans Club of Great Britain’s points system, but the French Standard.

Type, carriage and table merits: 30/40

Good width and low tail. Nice, heavy frame, but loses points for type. Too triangular in type, even if his body is big, it’s not long enough throughout the breast and keel.

Size and quality: 15/20

Looks big and strong, but triangle shape suggests lack of developed breast muscle.

Colour and Markings: 10/15

Difficult to judge as blue coppers don’t have an actual standard (they aren’t a recognised show variety), but distribution of ground vs pattern seems perfect. Blue could do with clearer outside lacing and copper could be bolder.

Head: 8/10 very nice comb ruined by the twist on the tip of the blade. Eye could be redder.

Condition: 10/10

Looks bright faced and well kept

Legs and feet: 4/5

Very strong, well set legs and well coloured. Feathering too heavy, approaching middle toe.

Overall:77/100

Not champion range but a very strong effort. Most points lost on type, but as a dual purpose breed there is reason for our focus on this category (you’ll notice it’s worth 40% of total points). Are you planning to breed him to marans hens? If so, a very good foundation of a line if paired with the right hens.

I am not planning on breeding with him at all really, maybe a little experimenting. But I have other cockerels growing out from incredibly well respected lines in the US. I was really just using him as a way to gauge correct type in my birds, and know what to look for. The type of evaluation you did for me is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I am not planning on breeding with him at all really, maybe a little experimenting. But I have other cockerels growing out from incredibly well respected lines in the US. I was really just using him as a way to gauge correct type in my birds, and know what to look for. The type of evaluation you did for me is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

You’re welcome. Feel free to run any other cockerels past me so we can find you the best one.