Chicken Breed Focus - Marans

[AlisonT100]

I have two French Blue Marans, and was supposed to have a Cuckoo but she's actually a Speckledy as there has never been a dark brown egg from her...just "speckled"!

What I love about these birds is their ability to lay those stunning dark eggs...and that colouring comes right at the end of that egg's production. How incredible is that?

One of my Blues, Tiffany, has no "iris" around her eye - just this stunning brown/black pupil. And they're also lovely looking birds - a delightful smoky bluey grey and a ruffle of copper feathers at the neck. They're very quiet birds apart from when they've laid. Their chicken song seems to be the loudest and the most enduring of all my ladies (12 atm).

I could quite easily become addicted to Marans. The farmer who buys my poultry for me from the weekly livestock auction has currently got his mission to come up with 2 or 3 Coppers, Blacks or Blues. I've put a ban on "Cuckoos" because in the four times I've purchased them, they've been Speckledys. I haven't a clue how to tell them apart. Does anyone know?

I can say without a doubt, the Maran is my favourite breed.

And may I also express my thanks to those who welcomed me to the forum. I look forward to being an active participant and to learning more and more about my favourite "hobby"!

 

[ABchickenguy]

I breed Marans on a small scale. They are an excellent breed to have all around except if you need eggs every day from your small backyard flock. To make it clear on their egg laying ability, a good Marans quality dark layer (7-8 on the egg color chart) will lay less eggs then a lighter egg layer simply because it takes more time to transfer pigment onto the shell. Lighter the egg color the faster it travels etc etc. It takes time to get quality.

Very interesting. I never would have though that about the travel time. Does make sense when you think about it. Ya learn something every day!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

This is one of four of my black copper Marans. The picture doesn't do these beautiful girls justice. You can't capture the sheen of their feathers. I'm anxiously waiting on my first eggs. My girls are rather comical. They love to chase bugs and "fly" as they run. I swear sometimes they are having a race among themselves. They are generally quiet but have been known to bark. They aren't afraid of me but aren't keen on being handled either. They are curious and love to investigate. Lovely ladies for sure.

 

[AmandaMBG]

Marge is my sweetest chicken!! Love her!! Her sis Ulga is timid tho.
Here is Marge posing for the camera

 

[Red Banks]

I love my Marans. I have Cuckoos and Black Coppers.

There is another Marans thread not mentioned in the beginning of this thread.

The International Black Copper Marans thread.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...lack-copper-marans-thread-breeding-to-the-sop

 

[chickengr]

What maran breed do I need to get the really dark eggs? Or are they all the same egg color layer?

black copper marans usually lay darker eggs.

 

[chickengr]

BCM


silver cuckoo

sweet temperament, coping well with the other breeds, lovely eggs...

 

[JessicaAnn]

Hello. I'm new to having chickens or pullets! We have 6 Marans all born in May. They are approx 4 months old. Here are some pics. They look healthy to me. We are hoping for eggs in a month or so. Does that seem about right? We also have two EEs, Australoup and a Favorelle. Thank you!

 

[Red Banks]

Hello. I'm new to having chickens or pullets! We have 6 Marans all born in May. They are approx 4 months old. Here are some pics. They look healthy to me. We are hoping for eggs in a month or so. Does that seem about right? We also have two EEs, Australoup and a Favorelle. Thank you!

Enjoy your chickens! They are very entertaining. My Cuckoos started laying at 5 months. Pretty girls.

 

[JessicaAnn]

Thank you! I am loving them!