I just found this thread. I believe I have a bantam marans, though I didn't know what she was when I got her, and I had no idea I was getting something rare. Frida is 31 weeks old and I'm still waiting for her first egg. She has beautiful coloring and lightly feathered legs, and she is a spectacular flier! But, she is the most timid of all my girls, and mostly just wants to be close to her frizzled cochin girlfriend.
I was wondering when other bantam marans started laying? All of my young hens are turning out to be late bloomers, which probably has more to do with the short days and their being non-production breeds, than anything, but it's making me wonder when and if I'll ever see a little dark egg . . .
Here she is at about 5 months:
