What makes Black Copper Marans Special?

[annaschicken01]

They are my dream chickens to own once I have my own chicken coup on our property. I notice they cost $35.00 or more per bird. And the eggs for hatching $6.00 per egg. My husband asks what makes Black Copper Marans so special that they cost over $35.00 per bird?

I explained I don’t want the tractor supply chickens because there copper Marans don’t lay Dark Chocolate Colored Eggs and I want them from a breeder that has bloodlines that lay the dark chocolate colored eggs.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Fun facts...

The Marans name is from the breeds origin in Marans, France.

Black Copper Marans are noted for laying the darkest egg of any chicken. No chicken lays a black egg.

Julia Childs (the famous chef) only used Marans eggs in her recipes.

The James Bond films made note that Bond loves his breakfast, especially clear in 'From Russia with Love" where he orders a single French Marans egg hard boiled and served in a blue egg cup with a gold rim.

Real facts...
Marans eggs are graded on a color shade from 4 to 9, if it doesn't lay at least a #4, it's not a Marans.

Finding a breeder that works towards the Standard is your best resource, but finding true #9 egg color along with good breed stock is extremely rare. Those #9 are usually kept by breeders to further their dark egg genes.

If you do find the rare dark #9 eggs, I would suggest asking the breeder to provide pics of their parent stock as there are breeders who focus on SOP and there are breeders who strictly focus on the sought after super dark eggs with no concern for what the bird looks like SOP confirmation wise.

BYC has it's very own Marans thread chock full of knowledge and great members here I'm sure you would find helpful...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-thread-breeding-to-the-sop.1122465/page-2550

 

[BlueDawnRising]

You are right that they won’t lay that dark color. I ordered “assorted rare” and “assorted colored egg layers” from Hoover’s Hatchery in January. The invoice said BCM and I was so excited for them to start laying. My daughter said she thought one was laying last week but we didn’t have proof and the eggs were some of the lightest we have so I wasn’t convinced. Today, while I was in the coop, she came out of the nest box singing. I have attached pictures. I will order from a breeder next time but this was my first go with chickens and I didn’t know hatchery chicks weren’t “as advertised” until I got on here and learned a lot about the differences. My goal was to have eggs and boy, do I have eggs, so I’m not disappointed in that aspect but I did want a variety of colors. If that is your goal, pay the extra.

 

[wrathsfarm]

You are right that they won’t lay that dark color. I ordered “assorted rare” and “assorted colored egg layers” from Hoover’s Hatchery in January. The invoice said BCM and I was so excited for them to start laying. My daughter said she thought one was laying last week but we didn’t have proof and the eggs were some of the lightest we have so I wasn’t convinced. Today, while I was in the coop, she came out of the nest box singing. I have attached pictures. I will order from a breeder next time but this was my first go with chickens and I didn’t know hatchery chicks weren’t “as advertised” until I got on here and learned a lot about the differences. My goal was to have eggs and boy, do I have eggs, so I’m not disappointed in that aspect but I did want a variety of colors. If that is your goal, pay the extra. View attachment 4131071View attachment 4131073

That's not a Marans.

 

[BlueDawnRising]

That's not a Marans.

Well that makes more sense! I only thought so because the invoice identified it has such. Any idea what it is? Here is the invoice, if it helps with identification!

 

[wrathsfarm]

Well that makes more sense! I only thought so because the invoice identified it has such. Any idea what it is? Here is the invoice, if it helps with identification!View attachment 4131138

Feet look yellow...yes?
Looks like a Black sex-link to me. Nothing on the invoice points to it other than Assorted Color Egg Layer or Hatchery Choice.

 

[BlueDawnRising]

Legs have black overtone. Picture to follow. The invoice lists what they sent for each assortment. The top 8 being the “assorted colored egg layers” and bottom 7 being the “assorted rare.” 4th from the top saying French Black Copper Marans so I assumed that is what she was. It also says they sent 1 and I have 2 so I’m not arguing it is correct It also says I have 6 Cream Legbars and I only have 3 and 3 of another kind that someone on here identified as Welsummers, which aren’t listed as at all! Who knows!