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Maran
ChickenThe Marans is the breed behind those famous chocolate-brown eggs — a French bird from the port town of Marans, refined in the early 1900s. Beyond the eggs it's a solid dual-purpose fowl, most familiar in the Black Copper variety, and egg shade varies bird to bird from deep mahogany to lighter brown. Calm, easy to handle and not flighty, Marans get along in mixed flocks and reassure beginners. A good pick for anyone who wants a hardy layer with a showpiece egg basket.
Beginner friendly
Quiet breed
Good with kids
Cold hardy
Good to know
- Lays very dark, chocolate-brown eggs
- Egg shade varies from hen to hen
- Calm and easy to handle
- Cold-hardy dual-purpose breed
Egg colorDark Brown
Egg production150–200 / year
Weight7–9 lb
TemperamentDocile
BroodinessRare
ClimateCold hardy
PurposeEggs, Meat
Varieties
Black Copper
BirchenBlackBlueBlue CopperBlue SplashCochinCopperCuckooFrench CopperGold CuckooSilver SalmonWheatenWhite
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