Black Copper Maran Chicken: Breed Information

The Black Copper Maran chicken is very popular right now. Amazingly, the eggs it lays are very dark and chocolate coloured. Also, the bird is very pretty.

It has only been around since about 1900, but its past is full of ups and downs and close calls to extinction. There are different kinds of Marans, but the Black Copper Marans Chicken is the one that has been getting the most attention lately in the US.

The English like the Marans breed because it was said to be James Bond’s best egg.This full breed guide will start by talking about the background of Black Copper Marans Chickens and then move on to talk about how they behave and how many eggs they can lay.

Black Copper Maran Overview

The Chickens comes from the south of France and is very old. They are known for having chocolate coloured eggs and being very friendly. It’s not clear where they came from, but they may be an old type of landrace bird.

The 1800s and 1900s were great times for this breed because they laid beautiful dark chocolate eggs that were known all over France. But the breed wasn’t recognized in the United States until 2011.

While there are many kinds of Maran, the Black Coppers are the ones that lay the darkest eggs. The Black Copper Marans Chicken might be the right breed for you if you want a calm and friendly bird that lays beautiful chocolate eggs.

Why We Love This Breed

• Black Copper Maran lay eggs that are a very unique dark chocolate color.
• It’s black with a beautiful green tint and red-copper spots.
• People think of them as a calm and friendly breed.
• Marans can handle cold weather well, which makes them good for places that get cold.
• They can live in a small space, but they also do better when they can move freely in the yard.

Appearance

From the side, the Chicken’s body looks like a wide “V” shape. It has a strong, long, and stable body. These pants should have a wide arm strap. Their feathers are very beautiful. There are thick black feathers all over the body, which may have a green sheen when they’re exposed to sunlight.

The hackle feathers are coppery or reddish. Also, the Rooster has copper saddle feathers that hang down over his back. But the hen is still a beautiful bird, even though it’s not quite as fancy. Most of the time, the Black Copper Maran Chickens have straight legs.

Size and Weight

Marans are the standard size of chickens. The roosters should weigh about 7 to 8 pounds, and the hens should weigh about 6.5 pounds less.

If you can find them, bantam chickens weigh 38 ounces for boys and 31 ounces for hens.

In the US, they are called Continental, and in the UK, they are called big soft feathered.

Color Varieties

Nine varieties of Marans:

• Black.
• White.
• Wheaten.
• Black Tailed Buff.
• Colombian.
• Cuckoo.
• Golden Cuckoo.
• Birchen.
• Black Copper Neck.

As with other breeds, there are more colors of this dog, but the official breed standard only lists these nine. The feathers on a chickens should be mostly black all over. The feathers of a rooster should fall over his back and into the neck area. They should be reddish coppery.

Personality

The Chicken is a calm and friendly breed. People don’t mind other types of dogs or cats around them, but some of the roosters can be a pain at times.

There are a lot of Gamecock genes in this breed, which means that some roosters may be a bit of a bully. Maran hens are rarely at the bottom of the food chain; most of the time, they are in the middle. Their friendliness is the best word to use, but they are not a soft lap bird.

Egg Production Of Black Copper Maran Chicken

Most of the time, Black or Blue Copper Marans Chicken lays three eggs a week. The Maran may not lay eggs for up to 8 months, so these are a dark red or brown color.

It’s interesting that the pigment that gives eggs their color is not found in large amounts in birds. If the hen lays more than three eggs a week, the eggs will be a little lighter in color.

So, the hens that lay the fewest eggs have the darkest eggs.They will also lose some of their color near the end of the laying season because their ink is running out. The color will return to its normal dark state the next season, but each year, it will be a little less intense.

When you buy Black Copper Maran hens for your flock, you should be very careful. Unfortunately, not all breeders are honest, and some may use a picture of dark eggs to sell chickens that aren’t very good.

Remember that you get what you pay for when you look for a producer.

Noise Levels

This chicken can be loud or quiet, based on the bird. But, Some are quiet, and some like to cause trouble. Some people might not like this if they live close to their neighbors. Talk to your source about how loud the parents are.

Pros And Cons Of Copper Maran Chicken

There are some bad things about these birds, even though their eggs are beautiful. But, here are the good and bad things about Marans:

Pros

• Friendly
• Good layers
• Tasty meat
• Excellent foragers
• Beautiful eggs

Cons

• Don’t enjoy handling
• Fewer Eggs per Year than Production Breeds
• Expensive Chicks
• Frostbite prone

Health Issues Of Black Copper Maran Chicken

The Maran are a strong and lively breed that does well in most kinds of weather.

They are tough chickens that don’t get sick very often.

But they can get bugs like lice, mites, and worms, so they need to be checked for health problems on a regular basis to keep problems to a minimum.

Crows can also get frostbite in colder northern areas because their feathers tend to be thick.

You can keep them safe from the worst of winter with petroleum jelly or a natural product that works the same way. A coop heater can help you feel less cold if you care a lot about it.

Feeding

For French Black Copper Maran Chicken, a normal 16% layer feed works great. During stressful times, like when the feathers fall off or when chicks are being raised, you can raise the protein rate.

If you let them roam (more on this below), they will find food to eat in addition to what they are given. They hunt for food very well, and the activity keeps them in shape. Maran are one breed that can get lazy and fat if they must stay inside all the time.

So, if you keep them on a run, make sure they eat at the same time every day.

Are the Black Copper Maran Chicken Right for You?

The Chicken’s are not the best at laying eggs, so don’t expect them to be. The Black Copper Maran Chicken, on the other hand, is a beautiful color-marked hen that lays very dark eggs.

But remember that the hens that lay the darkest eggs also lay the fewest. The egg’s shell gets lighter as it moves faster through the system. Moreover the Marans have made a color scale for the eggs, with 9 being the darkest and apparently the best. Do the different colors make the eggs taste different?

I’m not sure. There is no such thing as a Marans hen that lays less than a “4” egg. Because you will have to pay a lot of money for these rare gems.

Summary

In the US, Maran are still thought to be very rare, especially Black Copper Maran. In their home country of France, they are much more common.

There’s a good reason why these birds cost so much. It takes a huge amount of time and work to raise such a beautiful bird that can breed in the future. With its stark black and copper feathers, a good quality bird is truly stunning.

If you really want to get some of these rare beauty, it makes sense to buy the best you can. But that way, you can work on raising your high-quality chicks.