What's with Marans?

[Laskaland]

I mean that in a very positive way

Just curious why people seem so Maran crazy? Is it the color of the eggs? Is it the disposition of the birds? Why are they so special?
I would love some opinions.
Hugs
Christina

 

[ole-crone]

For me, they're just chickens. Although I do like the one we were doctoring and the way she'd gently cluck while in the house.

Before I had Marans I JUST had to HAVE them too. The eggs are pretty but I wish they laid a bit better.

 

[L&Schickens]

For me, it is all about egg color. I am still working on getting Marans my self, so ther might be other qualities about them that are good, but for now, it is egg color only.

 

[onthespot]

there is something about a really dark egg... it is the first one everyone reaches for, and says Wow! The really pretty eggs sort of glow rich satin finish like vintage wood with a nice patina almost... and then you crack it open and make plain ol' scrambled eggs. There is something really cool about it. It is like art that keep replacing itself every day, each one a little different speckled, lighter on one end, evenly brown, something different to look forward to every day...

oh no, did I just was poetic? Well, that is the "thing" about marans... even if your life is hum drum, your eggs are not.

 

[Katy]

I got my first cuckoos 6 years ago because I liked the dark egg color. They're docile friendly birds. They do tend to go broody quite a bit which isn't a plus. I just hatched my first Wheatens last spring and one of them started laying this week. I think they're the prettiest coloring of the marans.

 

[Laskaland]

Thank you for the input!!
Christina

 

[amazondoc]

I like the wheatens too.

As for the OP's question -- in large part, the current Marans craze is just that -- a craze. It's a fad. Marans are nice birds, and dark eggs are great, but the prices those eggs are getting right now is just ridiculous. In a coupla years, things will calm down.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I love the personality of the birds. I have never owned a breed with any more personality than my Marans have. The beautiful dark eggs are a super nice bonus as they just please the eye so much and the birds are large and attractive as well. The wheatens are my absolute favorite but I have been unable to aquire any

Perhaps I will get lucky sometime soon and run across some nice birds.

 

[geareduplyn]

I remember when a breeding pair of Ostrich were going for $85.000 plus. Some one tried to give me a pair last week. Think about it. That aside, the Marans are for the most part a big beautiful dual purpose bird and will find their niche in the in the American poultry world very soon.

 

[cubalaya]

i know someone with black copper marans and i will hatch a few out this spring. i really dont care for chickens with feathered legs but will try a few.