People love Marans Chicken because their eggs are so dark brown. You can keep these birds inside or let them roam freely; they get along great with birds of other breeds. Lots of good things about them for yards and barnyards.
But there are a lot of things you should know about Marans chickens before you get them. For instance, did you know that most of them don’t really lay the beautiful dark eggs you see in pictures? Or that you might need to make some changes to accommodate the type with feathered legs?
History of Marans Chicken
The Marans breed came from Marans, France, in the early 1900s. This is where the name “Marans” comes from. Only in 2011 did the American Poultry Association legally recognise them as a breed. The APA only recognises four colour types of the Marans breed right now (as of 2021): Black, Black Copper, Wheaten, and White. There are many more colour types, and Meyer Hatchery breeds a number of them that aren’t APA colours. The US loves this breed, so we can only hope that it’s a matter of time before the APA recognises some of the other colour types.
Most of the time, Marans are very calm and quiet dogs. All colour types tend to have the same attitude, but keep in mind that any breed can have some high-strung individuals that may “go against the grain.” Hens get moody and are usually good mothers who watch out for their young.
They were first bred to be a breed that could produce both meat and eggs. But over time, it has changed into a breed that is known for its eggs.
Mystic Marans Chicken Breed Info
These ladies are dark black birds that shine green and purple in the sun. There is some copper brown around their necks. Their legs might or might not be winged. They are very pretty women. They are friendly and interested, which makes them good birds for the backyard. The male Maran Rooster mates with the female Barred rock hens. Because they were crossed, their eggs will be a darker brown, but not as dark brown as the eggs of only one breed. They do well as free guards and also in a big run area.
| EGGS | 200+ |
| HARDINESS | Cold Hardy / Heat Tolerant |
| DISPOSITION | Docile nature / family friendly |
| WEIGHT: | 6 lbs hens |
| COMB: | Single |
Cuckoo Marans Chicken Breed Info
Marans are usually calm and quiet, but they are also very energetic and do well when left to roam freely in rough terrain. They are also tough and don’t get sick easily. Their calm and gentle personalities make them great for people who keep chickens in their backyards in the suburbs. They are also great for any farm flock because they don’t usually bother smaller breeds. Marans were once used for both food and eggs. Their dark eggs were highly valued, but their meat was also good for eating.
The Cuckoo Marans are the only breed of chicken that is bred to lay very dark brown eggs. No other breed does this. Every year, marans lay between 150 and 200 dark brown eggs. All of the Cuckoo Marans’ feathers are crossed with uneven dark and light slate bars. They look a lot like Barred Plymouth Rocks, but the bars aren’t as straight and the black and white bars aren’t as different from each other. The type is called cuckoo instead of barred because of these changes. Hens weigh 6 pounds and males 7 to 8 pounds when they are fully grown.
| Age at Time Of Lay | 23 Weeks |
| Number of eggs per year | 306 pcs |
| Total Egg Mass | 19.1kg |
| Average Egg Weight | 62.5g |
| Colour of egg shell | Normal Brown |
| Temperament | Quiet |
Blue Copper Marans Chicken
Blue Copper Marans. There are French Blue Copper Marans that lay eggs that are just as dark as French Black Copper Marans. This line of real French Blue Marans has finally been found and proven, and we are so excited and proud to give them to everyone.
The blue feathers on these birds are bright and fresh, making them absolutely stunning. Their colour can range from light to dark blue, and the copper in their necks gives them a beautiful pop of colour. These birds are strong and healthy, and they will live a long time.
These birds come from a real family line, and their genes are very diverse. This makes them strong, smart, curious, and almost magical in the way they interact with their environment. It’s clear that the farmers who have worked with them for generations have understood how important they are and raised them to be truly amazing birds.
| Weights: | Hen-6 1/2 lbs |
| Rooster Weights: | 8 lbs |
| Egg Size: | Large |
| Temperament: | Docile |
| Roost Height: | 2 to 4 feet |
| Country of Origin: | France |
Black Copper Marans Hens
Get ready, chicken lovers! Today we’re going on an exciting trip through the world of the French Black Copper Marans chicken breed.
People who keep and breed chickens outside love these fancy chickens because they are so pretty and lay the tastiest dark chocolate eggs. From the lovely French town of Marans.
Let me lead you as we learn about the Black Copper Marans’ interesting background, physical traits, ability to lay eggs, and personality.
If you’ve had chickens before, are thinking about getting some for the first time, or are just interested in learning more about them, our guide will help you make an informed decision about adding these beautiful dark-feathered birds to your flock.
Egg Production of Black Copper Marans Hens
The thing that really makes these chickens stand out is how well they lay eggs.
More than any other breed of Marans chicken, the Black Copper type is known for laying the darkest eggs. These dark brown eggs can be anywhere from almost black to dark chocolate depending on the hen and when she lays them.
A healthy Marans hen can lay between 150 and 200 brown eggs a year, and some birds are more determined to lay even more. They may not lay as many eggs as some other breeds, but the beauty and uniqueness of their dark eggs more than make up for any problems that might be seen.