Maran chickens

[Zzguy]

anyone have opinions on the maran chickens?

 

[kstaven]

If they come from a breeder they are great chickens. DARK shells attract egg customers. Reliable layers. A little light as a meat bird. Calm and not agressive.

I breed them .... So of course I'm biased!!!

 

[Zzguy]

cuz there is a breeder selling some un-hatched maran eggs, and i want some chickes that will eventually supply me with eggs.

 

[kstaven]

How dark are the eggs? Google marans egg color scale. Mine have always been good layers. Not as prolific as an egg laying cross breed, but as good as any other heritage type breed. Good sized eggs.

 

[pipermark]

If you want them for their dark eggs, which is what they are bred for in Europe, then you maybe disappointed if you purchase them from a hatchery.

You want to purchase them from a breeder in that has breed to egg color and production, good Marans should be almost as good of layers as leghorns.

I am a sneaky SOB so I would first purchase a dozen hatching eggs, to check the color and size. Why? Because American breeders tend to breed to the cosmetic standards not the "purpose", egg production, egg color, egg size is often ignored.

There have been several good articles in the Poultry Press about this over the past few years.

 

[herechickchick]

Here is a Maran breeder

 

[Katy]

I have cuckoo marans hens and roosters and one 9 week-old copper black rooster. I really like their temprement....very calm and not at all aggressive. My only complaint is that I have found after they get past their first year they like to go broody. Maybe it's just the line I have...I don't know for sure. I agree that if you want nice dark eggs you need to go to a breeder.