Other Name: French Marans Chicken

Scientific Name: Gallus gallus domesticus

Country of Origin: France

History: This variety is exceedingly rare, and most hatcheries don’t even offer them as eggs or day-old chicks.

The Marans breed was originally developed in France in the mid-1800s in the town that it bears its name. This is why the name of the breed is always spelled with an “S” regardless of if it is singular or plural. Marans became popular for their dark mahogany-brown eggs, a trait they are still known for today. Black Coppers have the capability of laying the darkest eggs of all the “chocolate egger.”

Current Uses: include mostly eggs, but also meat. The Marans is unique for producing a dark chocolate brown colored egg. In the best strains the eggs are so dark they are almost black.

Appearance: The Black Copper rooster is black with copper-colored hackles, shoulders, and saddle. The hens are mostly black with glints of copper in their hackles.

Average Weight: 7 to 8 lbs.

Lifespan: It’s common for a hen in a backyard setting to live 8 to10 years, but we’ve also heard reports of chickens living as long as 20 years! Of course, the older they get, the fewer eggs they lay, but think of all their other valuable functions. Besides being a loved member of the family they are adept at eating ticks, mosquitoes, and flies, not to mention producing excellent fertilizer!

On average, pullets, or juvenile hens, start laying eggs at about 6 months of age, depending on the breed. However, if your birds come into maturity at the coldest, darkest part of the year, they will sometimes not begin laying until spring.

Egg Color: Chocolate Brown. This color is achieved by a coating that is applied in the last part of the laying process. Since it is only on the surface, you can rub it off with a little work.

Egg Size: Large to Jumbo

Eggs a Week/Year: 3 to 4 eggs a week, 150 to180 a year.

Broody: Occasionally

Confinement: They generally take confinement well.

Compatibility: They typically get along well with others.

Hardy: Because of their initial breeding, they can thrive in cold, damp conditions.

Diet: Feed the chickens commercially-prepared chicken feed. Also, supply them with fresh water. Chickens also need grit to help them digest their food. This can be supplemented with chicken scratch and produce. Keep the coop clean at all times. If your chickens are allowed to roam free then they will enjoy their natural foods of bugs, slugs, and seeds.

Housing: Build a chicken coop or adapt an existing building. You need at least 3 square feet per layer. Provide at least one nesting box for every four chickens. Your laying hens also appreciate a place to roost.

Behavior / Temperament / Activity Level: Marans are not as vocal as other chickens, generally they are active, but may become lazy if not given the proper space.

Marans are generally quiet and docile; but they are quite active and adapt well to free ranging in rough terrain They are also tough and disease-resistant. They were originally bred in the marshy areas of France and can cope with damper conditions. Marans prefer not to be held but they handle confinement well.

Although roosters can be slightly aggressive, most of the time this breed gets along well with other chickens and is docile with people.

Black Copper French Marans Chicken

Amber Waves1320 Mountain Avenue Norco, California Phone: 951-736-1076cell: 951-233-4231Fax: 866-302-2817E-mail: debbie@amberwaves.info