International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[BlueTheBrahma]

I snapped a few pics of the littles while winterizing the runs.View attachment 3992787View attachment 3992792View attachment 3992791View attachment 3992790View attachment 3992789View attachment 3992788

I like that top picture. This cockerel looks to have a huge body already (compared to the rest of him).

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I heard the British Isles were getting some winter weather! Mine stop laying by mid October and won't start again until I either turn on the lights or wait until spring. Usually I turn on the lights around mid December so I can start hatching in January. We also got a little snow. I suppose being an island means you get a lot more wet! I am so far inland, it means we get major temperature extremes because there is no nearby body of water to temper the weather. Good luck on those ice storms!

Yes, the wind from the Atlantic gets blown straight at the north west of the country by the jet stream, all the clouds with it. That’s why we get bad weather when the US gets hurricanes. I think we technically get enough rain to be classed as a temperate rainforest, but since all the trees were cut down it doesn’t really count.

We get the full spectrum of weather here, which is annoying to try and deal with throughout the year, but honestly I don’t think it’s a bad as some extreme environments over in America. I think because of how small Britain is, we don’t appreciate how much the weather can vary across a country like it does in the US!

 

[Bantambird]

Yes, the wind from the Atlantic gets blown straight at the north west of the country by the jet stream, all the clouds with it. That’s why we get bad weather when the US gets hurricanes. I think we technically get enough rain to be classed as a temperate rainforest, but since all the trees were cut down it doesn’t really count.

We get the full spectrum of weather here, which is annoying to try and deal with throughout the year, but honestly I don’t think it’s a bad as some extreme environments over in America. I think because of how small Britain is, we don’t appreciate how much the weather can vary across a country like it does in the US!

I hear there are a few pockets of temperate rainforest left, especially on old noble grounds or the king's forest, or Wales. Is that right? I wish I could visit some day, seeing a place steeped in visible history where there are useable buildings over 1000 years old is simply magical to me. My parents had a friend they sponsored for veterinary school in Edinburgh, and a family farm used the same stone farmhouse for 800 years in the same family. That's staying power. I hope the changing inheritance tax structure doesn't push out your old family farms! We have been dealing with inheritance tax troubles hurting our family farms, too.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I hear there are a few pockets of temperate rainforest left, especially on old noble grounds or the king's forest, or Wales. Is that right? I wish I could visit some day, seeing a place steeped in visible history where there are useable buildings over 1000 years old is simply magical to me. My parents had a friend they sponsored for veterinary school in Edinburgh, and a family farm used the same stone farmhouse for 800 years in the same family. That's staying power. I hope the changing inheritance tax structure doesn't push out your old family farms! We have been dealing with inheritance tax troubles hurting our family farms, too.

That’s funny my friend was reading a book about temperate rainforests just yesterday! Yes, there’s a few, but most of them were cut down in the Middle Ages to make way for all our fields. We have non of the predators left either, so the deer are becoming an issue as not many people are fond of eating them here (I love venison so when someone sends me a deer I’m always happy to process it).

It’s going to be a shame with this tax because if it keeps going I see it pretty much as the end of British agriculture, people are simply going to sell off the land and the food will all be imported. Unfortunately or not, my grandma’s family’s farm will never be passed down to me, in fact I think it was sold off largely. I only hope that I can buy myself a farm in Yorkshire one day and hopefully my children won’t have to pay 40% tax on it.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Thought I’d post a picture of Loki, it was dark so the colour-correction on my phone has made his colour even better! His type has definitely improved with age, the tail is no better and gets whiter each moult.

Napoleon has just got some tail feathers finally, I’m liking the look of that angle. He’s a bit small for his age but chunky for his size, if that makes sense.

the new Welly is nice and big now, still has some Autosomal red in his shoulder but good crisp white hackles.

Blue, trying to attack me though the fence.

All the silkies from the first hatch this year, all boys unfortunately, so if anyone wants to fly to England to take one off me feel free.

 

[wrathsfarm]

View attachment 3997015Thought I’d post a picture of Loki, it was dark so the colour-correction on my phone has made his colour even better! His type has definitely improved with age, the tail is no better and gets whiter each moult.View attachment 3997016Napoleon has just got some tail feathers finally, I’m liking the look of that angle. He’s a bit small for his age but chunky for his size, if that makes sense.View attachment 3997017the new Welly is nice and big now, still has some Autosomal red in his shoulder but good crisp white hackles.View attachment 3997019View attachment 3997020Blue, trying to attack me though the fence.
View attachment 3997021All the silkies from the first hatch this year, all boys unfortunately, so if anyone wants to fly to England to take one off me feel free.

Loki has some great color going on in that pic. What breed is Blue?

 

[wrathsfarm]

Does anyone have any suggestions for weigh scales for birds? I've got a mini scale for eggs, but want to start weighing the birds.
Would something cheap and dirty like this work ?

Edited to add...I don't have a bathroom or house/kitchen scale sooooo......

 

[chickengr]

Does anyone have any suggestions for weigh scales for birds? I've got a mini scale for eggs, but want to start weighing the birds.
Would something cheap and dirty like this work ?
View attachment 3998401

Edited to add...I don't have a bathroom or house/kitchen scale sooooo......

it would work just check if it takes 2 batteries. I bought a similar one but 2 batteries cost more than the scale. got another one that takes 1 battery.

 

[wrathsfarm]

it would work just check if it takes 2 batteries. I bought a similar one but 2 batteries cost more than the scale. got another one that takes 1 battery.

Good call and looking closer at that particular one it maxes out at 6.6 lbs (3000 g)

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Loki has some great color going on in that pic. What breed is Blue?

There’s a clue in my name!