difference between dominique and black maran chicks

[ARPdrummer]

We order the hatchery choice too thinking we would get a variety and we got only Cuckoo Marans. I was more then a little disappointed to get all the same and no variety.

yes, the whole point of hatchery choice is to get a good variety and surprises for your flock. If I wanted a lot of one breed I would've just ordered that specific breed :/ I am happy I got the Salmon Faverolle (was really sad when the second one passed away), but didn't need a bunch of Dominiques. Oh well, they're all super sweet chicks, just wish I could've added a lot more color to my flock of Lavender Orpingtons.

 

[junebuggena]

I'll have to look into it more, but so far, from what I've found, the blacks do have the spot on the head. They are, however, very rare even in France. So most hatcheries don't even have them. It's very hard to even Google info about them because everything is about the black coppers.

http://www.maransofamericaclub.com/black-marans.html

Black Marans chicks do not ever have the white spot on the back of the head. The white spot on the back of the head is caused by the barring/cuckoo gene. Blacks have black down with white/yellow through the throat, chest and belly. Cuckoos look the same as blacks, but they have the addition of the white spot on the back of the head. It is not possible for a chick with a white spot on the back of the head to feather in solid black. The barring/cuckoo gene is a dominant gene. It does not hide. Chicks with a white head spot will always develop barring.
Cackle Hatchery has several varieties of Marans, including Blacks and Black Copper Marans. I got a bunch in a hatchery choice surprise box.

There are 4 Wheaten Marans, 3 Cuckoo Marans, and 2 Black Marans. The chick on the far right is a Light Brahma.
See how the blacks are solid black from above, and how the Cuckoos all have visible white spots in the back of their heads.