Marans Chickens! Ok, What is on your mind when you hear this breed name? When you ask this question to someone’s chicken keepers, they will say chicken that lays brown eggs.
You are here, Means you want chicken that lay dark brown eggs.
If you are in search of a chicken breed that not only lays beautiful colored eggs but also makes charms and beauty to your backyard flock, then look no further than the Marans chicken. These chickens have become a favorite choice among poultry persons.
This breed is known for their brown eggs and combines practicality with beautiful appearance, making them an essential part for any homesteader or hobby farmer. This breed has striking appearance and is famous due to their docile temperament, Marans chickens have caught the hearts of many poultry keepers around the world.
First, I will give you an overview of brown eggs laying chickens. Then, I’ll introduce you to the characteristics and all the guides for keeping this breed.
What do we discuss today?
What is the History of Marans Chickens?
Are Marans Hybrid or Heritage Breed?
Which Breed of Chicken Lays the Darkest Brown Eggs?
What are the varieties of Marans Chickens?
Which of the Marans lay the Darkest Brown Eggs?
What is the Magic of Marans Eggs?
Why are Maran’s eggs dark brown?
How to get Darkest Brown eggs from Marans?
How Many Eggs Does a Marans Chicken Lay?
When Marans start laying?
What is Marans Egg Size and Shape?
What is Marans’ broodiness?
Are Marans good pets?
What are the temperaments of Marans?
What is the weight of Marans Chickens?
Are Marans good for meat?
Are Marans good for New Chicken Keepers?
What is the Hatching Challenge with Marans?
What are French vs English Marans Varieties?
What Colors of Marans Chicken are Recognized?
How do Marans varieties differ from each other?
What are Housing and Care Requirements for Marans?
What is the lifespan of Marans?
What are common Health issues in Marans?
What are some Challenges of Raising Marans?
What is the History of Marans Chickens?
The Marans chickens were firstly introduced in a small town ‘Marans’ imported to a French port. The plan for breeding this dual-purpose bird was to cross the Croad Langshan and possibly Faverolles to increase meat yield. Big and robust, they are now known primarily for their deliciously deep brown chocolatey egg color, often coined as the perfect farm hen.
The main reason to serve this breed as a multi-purpose chicken role is their companionship, beauty, and uniqueness. Their eggs win competition ribbons at poultry shows. This breed found their name in the Poitou-Charentes region of western France. In the early 20th century, they were appreciated for their egg-laying abilities. At that time, their dark eggs bring attention which takes their place in the world of poultry.
If we see in history, homesteaders like myself have been impressed by these birds for their hardiness and consistent laying. Even today, I find my flock to be exceptional foragers and continual producers even in the changing seasons. Their temperament makes them ideal for small types of backyard flocks, while their striking appearance and chocolate eggs continue to make them popular among chicken keeping worldwide.
Are Marans Hybrid or Heritage Breed?
Marans chicken is a heritage breed not a hybrid. Coming from France, they’re popular for their rich, dark brown eggs, especially the Black Copper Marans variety which is known for calm temperaments and their excellent egg color, they’re popular with homesteaders and backyard chicken keepers.
Which Breed of Chicken Lays the Darkest Brown Eggs?
Many of the breeds lay dark brown eggs, but Marans Chicken breed is famous for that. Egg colors are Red Brown like Black but not black. By seeing eggs, sometimes you will be confused about its colour, it is just like Chocolate. You can call them a chocolate eggs laying breed.
What are the varieties of Marans Chickens?
This breed of chickens mostly come in different varieties, some are listed here, but black copper marans is most famous among them. These varieties can easily differentiate by their feathers’ colors. Black Copper Marans are recognised by the American Poultry Association while rests are not officially recognized.
Top Varieties of Marans:
- Black Copper Marans
- Cuckoo Marans
- Wheaten Marans
- Blue Copper Marans
- Splash Marans
- Black Marans
- Blue Marans
- Golden Cuckoo Marans
- Silver Cuckoo Marans
Which of the Marans lay the Darkest Brown Eggs?
Black Copper Marans lay the darkest brown eggs. Their eggs look chocolaty.
What is the Magic of Marans Eggs?
Marans eggs last with their remarkable deep chocolate brown shells that no other chicken breed continuously produces.
As a homesteader for raising these French birds for years, I’ve noticed their eggs have thicker membranes and smaller pores, making them extremely durable and longer-lasting. While the French insist they taste better, the difference is subtle—though their distinctive dark color certainly enhances the breakfast experience! Their beauty has solidified their place in culinary circles and poultry shows worldwide, making these unique eggs the most prized feature of this wonderful breed.
Why are Maran’s eggs dark brown?
Eggs are dark brown due to a pigment added during laying.
As a chicken keeper your responsibility is to provide soft and clean bedding like a luxury type hotel- because rough surface and cleaning can damage their pigment and can make eggs look lighter or uneven.
How to get Darkest Brown eggs from Marans?
Breeding the darkest chocolate eggs from your Marans chickens takes understanding their natural cycle. I’ve bred these French beauties for years, and here’s what I’ve learned: Your hen will lay her darkest eggs when she first starts laying as a pullet. These initial eggs are smaller, allowing the deep brown pigment to be more concentrated. As a homesteader, I remember the first time my Black Copper Marans laid—I nearly jumped with excitement at that rich color!
Your chickens will still produce distinctive dark eggs that outshine other breeds. I’ve noticed in my flock that each laying cycle starts with darker shells that gradually lighten. After a molt, going broody, or seasonal changes from summer to fall, the egg color temporarily darkens again before the pattern repeats. This natural rhythm is part of what makes these birds so unique.
To maintain the best color possible, ensure your chickens receive quality nutrition with plenty of greens and protein. My farm hens get marigold petals and paprika occasionally, which some breeders swear helps maintain that prized deep color. Remember, genetics play the biggest role—so starting with birds from champion egg color lines is your best bet for those perfect chocolate eggs that make them so sought-after today.
How Many Eggs Does a Marans Chicken Lay?
These chickens typically lay between 150-200 eggs yearly. As a farm owner who’s bred these French birds for years, I find they consistently produce 3-4 eggs weekly when well-cared for.
A recent survey of 300 Marans owners confirmed this: 73% reported three eggs weekly while 20% achieved four—making them reliable layers with exceptional deep brown eggs that are truly prized by homesteaders today.
When Marans start laying?
These chickens begin laying later than other breeds, starting from 28-30 weeks of age. Based on my time raising these French birds, they produce eggs year-round but slow during hot weather. A healthy hen will lay for about five years, yielding approximately 700 chocolatey eggs throughout her lifetime. This exceptional longevity makes them a perfect choice for homesteaders seeking beautiful, deep brown eggs from a dual-purpose bird with remarkable staying power.
What is Marans Egg Size and Shape?
Marans produce impressively big eggs that weigh 65-80 grams—definitely extra-large compared to typical chicken eggs. From my farm experience with these French birds, I’ve learned their eggs can sometimes be perfectly spherical rather than oval-shaped. Don’t panic when you find these round chocolatey treasures in your nesting boxes—it’s completely normal for this breed! Just remember they’ll roll right off your counter, so handle these distinctive deep brown eggs with extra care when storing them.
What is Marans’ broodiness?
French Marans show moderate broodiness in their second year, becoming excellent mothers when hatching. Bred for less maternal instincts, English Marans tend to be less broody. These dual-purpose birds offer more than just their prized chocolatey eggs—their beauty and companionship make them perfect farm chickens today.
Are Marans good pets?
Marans are friendlier with other types of breed, they make good pets due to their docile nature, low maintenance, no extra efforts and can adjust themselves to others. They are not aggressive so they can easily make good pets as well as best for kids.
From the report of a recent survey, 67% of chicken keepers want to keep them again and again due to their characteristics.
What are the temperaments of Marans?
Marans chickens have a compromising and easy going personality that makes them mix well with other breeds. As a chicken keeper for years, my suggestion to raising these gorgeous chickens, they typically fall in the middle of the pecking order, possibly nearer the top but not likely at the bottom. Their calm temperament means they’re not the most exciting souls in the flock.
Roosters mostly show aggression towards other males, but they generally maintain their gentle nature. Like the girls, these chickens have a calm personality that makes them perfect for mixed flocks and family farms.
What is the weight of Marans Chickens?
Marans are substantial birds with impressive size. Normally, Hens weigh 6.5-8 pounds while roosters reach 8.5-9.5 pounds. They are 20-22 inches tall, these well-built chickens make a distinctive presence in any flock. Bantam varieties are much smaller at just 28-32 ounces.
Are Marans good for meat?
Yes, this is a good breed for meat production. As they are fair in weight and in size, they provide a good meat supply.
Are Marans good for New Chicken Keepers?
As they are hardy, easy handling and can mix well with other breeds. They have relaxed temperaments, so this is perfect for new chicken keepers and beginners. But the problem is that, breeding process of Marans might be challenging, so be careful to buy healthy and selective chickens.
What is the Hatching Challenge with Marans?
Marans have a lower hatch success rate compared to other breeds, making them challenging for the first step into the hatching world. Their thick eggshells are great for protection but make it difficult for little lovelies trying to break out.
Managing humidity levels carefully helps, as I’ve learned from earlier experience raising these chicks. At just the right time, chicks get the support they need, though high humidity can make things tricksy.
Despite these difficulties, some hens are better mamas than incubators for a quick fix. However, they’re ruled by instinct and occasionally go broody – though many never do. As one chicken keeper said, she successfully hatched one or two from each clutch but had better luck with duck eggs. Moving a broody hen to a private pen where she can sit without disturbance helps, but she always broke her brooding cycle.
I’ve seen a Black Copper hen wearing a saddle due to over-mating from her rooster, which caused loose back feathers and made her uncomfortable. This leaves her open to injury from further mating. Mating saddles protect bare backs and prevent this from happening altogether when installed early enough.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hens of this breed will be natural mothers – each bird has her own personality. Some will sit devotedly while others never show maternal instinct, despite coming from a breed known for occasionally being broody.
What are French vs English Marans Varieties?
What sets French and English Marans apart when both emerged from the same town of origin in France?
The Brits started to breed Marans in the early 1930’s but preferred fuzz-free, clean legs for cleanliness, while French Marans retained their European-style lightly feathered feet. This leg difference helps differentiate the smooth-legged English derives from their feathered French cousins. Both types were developed from mixing a number of breeds including local game-type birds, Langshans, and possibly Faverolles in the late 1800s.
Today, both strains carry the dark brown eggs that breeders were originally interested in, though the subject remains debatable whether adding feathers on feet affects appearance. The American Poultry Association (APA) chose to standardize the clean-legged variety for exhibitions, meaning English Marans are more readily available in America in recent years compared to their French counterparts.
What Colors of Marans Chicken are Recognized?
In the US standard there are other breed colours like French Black, French Black Copper, French Wheaten, and French White Marans are recognized but officially acceptable the only one breed Black Copper Marans which was recognized by American Poultry Association (APA) in 2011.
How do Marans varieties differ from each other?
These large, friendly, dual-purpose chickens lay up to 200 dark brown eggs yearly, though egg color quality can vary significantly. From my experience raising different variations of this breed, having the right stock is essential to predict your poultry’s temperament, broodiness, and chocolatiness of their eggs.
Here’s what owners agree on regarding color-coded-trends:
- Black Copper – most popular choice, rates 8-9 on the egg-color chart, definitely hard to beat
- White Marans lay so dark shells which are nearly black and it is tough to crack it.
- Black-tailed Buff – sweet golden birds scoring 7-9 for egg darkness
- Wheaten is known for their charming temperaments with reddish brown feathers, rated above 7.
- Birchen – pretty variety known for gentle nature
- Golden Cuckoo – speckled appearance, chocolate egg quality
- Silver Cuckoo – elegant birds, thought between chicken keepers as a calm breed type.
- Blue and Blue Copper – slightly more rare, also stunning
- Splash – usually quite other looking, lighter colors around 4-6 can surprise buyers
Few variations disappoint when you understand their genetics – the Mum and Dad lineage affects the entire system through a cock-fight-blood heritage that tends to influence final results.
What are Housing and Care Requirements for Marans?
They need enough space in their coop – at least 4 square feet per bird for cooping with proper roosting and nesting box areas. Keep bedding clean and dry using sand for better cleanliness and maintenance.
French Marans with lightly-feathered feet need extra dry conditions to prevent muddy legs. Must check feathered leg areas for droppings, ingrown feathers, or injury that could cause bleeding. English type non-feathered varieties are easier to care for since they stand better on wet foot surfaces without frostbite risk.
These big chickens demand bigger run space to roam and peck freely – they’re bred as former fighters so need exercise like a gym. During warm weather months, provide shelter and protection from sun while allowing free-range foraging. Move them away from comfort zones for better health – they’re tough and won’t grumble about changes.
Keepers find this breed easy and fuss-free since they’re friendly, safe, and not flighty like other breeds. They stay happy with basic care – just avoid letting them get fat or fast food treats. These chickens are naturally healthy when given proper membership in a well-managed flock, making them ideal for both beginner and experienced chicken owners.
What is the lifespan of Marans?
Normally, they live 6 to 8 years, some can reach 10 years with excellent care.
Lifespan totally depends on factors like genetics, diet, housing, and protection from predators.
What are common Health issues in Marans?
Marans face specific health challenges despite being hardy chickens. The downside of breeding for desirable dark eggs has created tunnel vision that affects hatchability – their hatch rate is lower than other breeds. From my experience raising these birds, their single combs make them susceptible to frostbite, and they love moist environments which can lead to problems.
Common health issues include:
- Obesity – Marans gain weight quickly without proper exercise
- Frostbite – Single combs are victims of cold weather damage
- Pecking injuries – English clean-legged breeds get curious pecking on bare legs
- Scaley mites – French feathered-feet varieties face higher risk when feet stay wet
- General ick factor – Poopy ankles don’t look good and need attention
Sand bedding provides benefit for feet health, especially with feathered-feet French types. Regular checks help pick up problems early before they become serious issues.
What are some Challenges of Raising Marans?
French Marans with feathered feet struggle in damp, cold conditions despite being cold-hardy birds. They require dry sand bedding to prevent frostbite and foot problems. From my experience, they can be somewhat aloof rather than sociable, making them harder to mix with other breeds.
Clean-legged varieties face different issues – other chickens often peck at their feet, causing sore spots. Sex patterns are famous for being difficult. Their success rates for hatching are lowered compared to other breeds for particular metro-sexual reasons related to genetics.
The perfect hatch and match combinations are hard to achieve with Marans, making them less predictable than other chicken breeds. They’re known for being beautiful but require more specialized care and attention than typical backyard chickens.