Marans lay
three eggs a week. Marans are prized for dark brown or chocolate colored eggs.
Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond novels helped popularize the eggs
and the breed by making their eggs the favorite of 007. Raised in a damp region
of France, Marans tolerate wet conditions well. However, they run the risk of
frostbite as do all breeds with large comb or wattles. The poultry world often
overlooks the meat producing capabilities of the Marans. Marans grow quickly
and produce a succulent, fine-textured, white meat.
Marans are
quiet, friendly, and docile. They make a great pet or 4H fowl for young people.
One breeder who had raised hundreds of Marans roosters claimed that he had
never had an aggressive Marans rooster. Marans breeders have noted that they
need a greater number of Maran roosters per hen; one rooster per seven hens.
Marans handle wet conditions better than most fowl. They adapt well to
confinement during the cold months. Breeders describe them as the cleanest fowl
that they have ever raised.
The British
Standard has sanctioned nine Marans: Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, Black, Birchen,
Black Copper, Black-tailed Budd, White, and Columbian. Most poultry aficionados
recognized the common Cuckoo Maran. The hen looks like a white on black fowl;
whereas, the rooster looks like a black on white. To put it another way, the
rooster has a lighter appearance. Both the hen and the rooster have a full,
broad tail. Marans have a very five-point, red, single comb with long matching
wattles and earlobes.
Buy from a
reputable dealer. The popularity of the Marans dark brown egg has led to
unscrupulous sales practices surrounding the breed. Doctored pictures or
misleading advertising copy lead the list of cons used to dupe a public.
Legitimate breeders have developed a Maran Egg Color Scale. Only buy from
breeders that can verify #4 colored eggs. Raise Marans free-range to keep them
active. Mix with other breeds to encourage movement. They like organic layer
food, corn, and greens. Have realistic expectations of your Marans. Egg color
can vary throughout the year. Darker eggs come in the spring. Darker eggs take
longer to lay. If you want a darker egg, you may sacrifice some production.
About Marans Chickens
