Help hatchery mistake! French Black Marans?!?!

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Alrighty so my newest chicks have started feathering in nicely, but my Cuckoo Marans that I ordered are coming in solid black. What?!? Reached out to Valley Hatchery and sho'nuf, they accidently sent me their "French Black Marans" instead. They quickly offered a refund which is fine, but now what?

I have three of these (rehomed one) that I have no experience with and based on the description likely would not have ordered.

Does anyone have any experience with this breed and can guide me? Seems like they're hard to sex and have a tendency toward broodiness. Great.

I've done a fairly thorough search online and there's really not a lot of info out there. The few hatcheries that offer them mostly use the same description.

I'd love to hear any and all input regarding your experiences with these. Average laying age? How are the roos (just in case but not really planning to keep those)? Temperment?

Much thanks in advance!

 

[nuthatched]

A breed is a breed, no matter the color , they should be normal to sex and personality/broodiness is up to the individual bird.

 

[Jener8or]

FBCM will lay very pretty, sometimes almost chocolate colored eggs and generally the darkest eggs of all the Marans. They are great chickens to have in the flock and for the egg basket, in my opinion. Sorry you didn't get the cuckoo ones you wanted, though!

 

[Airyaman]

I have two FBCM, though it appears the pullet is not "full blooded" (she looks like one but she also has a crest so...). The FBCM cockerel is my calmest male of the many birds I have. Well, scratch that, I now have a Speckled Sussex cockerel who is both calmer and extremely friendly, but the Marans male is 2nd runner up. He's been very good to his "girls" but to be fair, they are only 14 weeks.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

FBCM will lay very pretty, sometimes almost chocolate colored eggs and generally the darkest eggs of all the Marans. They are great chickens to have in the flock and for the egg basket, in my opinion. Sorry you didn't get the cuckoo ones you wanted, though!

It's okay, I can roll with it especially when these expensive birds ended up not costing me much beyond shipping etc. But Valley calls these FBMs and not FBCMs so maybe no copper collar?

It's just an adjustment because I've wanted Cuckoo Marans for years and finally found them, waited months on delivery, and then thwarted. Gah these little girls (please oh please) are so purdy tho. Love the fluffy feet!

 

[wrathsfarm]

It's okay, I can roll with it especially when these expensive birds ended up not costing me much beyond shipping etc. But Valley calls these FBMs and not FBCMs so maybe no copper collar?

It's just an adjustment because I've wanted Cuckoo Marans for years and finally found them, waited months on delivery, and then thwarted. Gah these little girls (please oh please) are so purdy tho. Love the fluffy feet!

Depending on the age... The one you posted looks like it's female. I have Black Coppers and BBS Silvers and my boys have very good temperaments which in my opinion seems to be a breed trait for Marans in general. Yes there are exceptions of course. My females typically start laying right around 19- 20 weeks generally but of course daylight hours will effect this. My Black Silver hen didn't lay her first until 32 weeks because of winter daylight prolonging her start.

Would love to see progress pics as they grow and I personally would be tickled to have pure Black Marans in my flock.

Congrats even tho it was a mistake.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

It's okay, I can roll with it especially when these expensive birds ended up not costing me much beyond shipping etc. But Valley calls these FBMs and not FBCMs so maybe no copper collar?

It's just an adjustment because I've wanted Cuckoo Marans for years and finally found them, waited months on delivery, and then thwarted. Gah these little girls (please oh please) are so purdy tho. Love the fluffy feet!

I would double check on what they're calling them. The difference between the 2 is the French version has feathered shanks, the other doesn't. The feathering, according to the breed standard, should not be excessive.
You can take a look at my avatar to get an idea of the dark brown eggs you can expect.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

I would double check on what they're calling them. The difference between the 2 is the French version has feathered shanks, the other doesn't. The feathering, according to the breed standard, should not be excessive.

Valley offers 4 types of French Marans: Black, Copper Black, Cuckoo, and Wheaten. I sent them photos and they said they were these: https://valleyhatchery.com/product/french-black-marans-chicks/

They definitely have feathered feet! It's about the only way I can tell them apart from my Black Australorp chicks, though it sounds as if the Marans won't grow as large as my Aussies?

I suppose it was meant to be, because Connie in customer support seemed surprised by the mixup. It didn't seem like Valley makes these mistakes often, if ever - at least until now ha!

Depending on the age... The one you posted looks like it's female... Would love to see progress pics as they grow and I personally would be tickled to have pure Black Marans in my flock.

Congrats even tho it was a mistake.

Thank you for the info! They're only four weeks but so far I'm not seeing any major roo characteristics. Time will tell. I'll be happy to share progress pictures. It will be interesting to see myself!