This is only an appropriate statement if the Marans is bred to the French Standard versus the UK Standard. French Marans are required to have feathered shanks. Clean-legged birds are the Standard in the UK. When Marans were first imported to the US both varieties were brought in. For many years clean-legged Marans were more popular than those with feathered legs. Now in an attempt to Standardize them here by the APA, feathered legs are generally the norm. However, those with clean legs are still seen fairly often. And for the uneducated backyard breeder or hatchery, the two varieties are crossed without care as they are both Marans, just two different varieties.
That being said, I think the chick in question is probably a Marans. My Orpingtons are generally larger than that at the same age and their legs are usually thicker. Pictures of the chick standing on its own so shape and stance can be evaluated would be helpful.
