Marans
For the darkest brown eggs -- Black Copper Marans lay deep chocolate eggs, but egg colour varies by strain and lays fewer eggs than the top producers.
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Why this fits you
- You want dark, chocolate-brown eggs.
- You are experienced enough to choose a good breeder.
- You value egg colour and feather beauty more than the highest egg count.
Marans are a French breed famous for very dark brown eggs. The Black Copper variety is the most common, with black bodies and coppery neck feathers, and some strains have lightly feathered legs. Hens weigh about 6.5 pounds, and they lay around 150 to 200 eggs a year, though egg colour and production differ widely between strains.
Egg colour is the draw
Marans eggs are rated on a colour scale from 1 to 9, with the darkest sitting at the top. Many hatchery birds lay eggs that are a medium or light chocolate, and the very dark eggs usually come from specialist breeders. If egg colour is your goal, ask to see photographs of eggs from the parent flock. Colour also lightens as the laying season goes on and as the hen ages.
Production and growth
Marans are moderate layers, often 150 to 200 eggs a year, and they mature slowly. They are a heavier bird, and cockerels grow into a good table carcass, though the breed is mostly kept for eggs and appearance. Expect fewer eggs than from a Leghorn or Australorp in exchange for the dark shells.
Temperament
Marans are generally calm and hardy, though temperament varies by strain. They are good foragers and do well on range. Some roosters can be assertive, so handle young cockerels often if you plan to keep one.
Housing and care
Plan 4 to 5 square feet per bird in the coop and 10 in the run. The breed is cold-hardy and does reasonably in warm weather. Strains with feathered legs need dry ground to avoid mud caking and should be checked for scaly leg mites.
Buying carefully
Because the dark-egg trait varies, buy from a breeder who sells chicks from tested lines, and be prepared to pay more than for a standard hatchery bird. A Marans from a mass hatchery may lay a lighter egg than you expect. For a basket of mixed colours, pair a few Marans with Easter Eggers and standard brown layers.
How it compares
| Breed | Eggs/yr | Temperament |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | 200-300 | Assertive |
| Leghorn | 280-320 | Flighty |
| Buff Orpington | 180-200 | Very calm |
| Australorp | 250+ | Calm |
| Silkie | 100-120 | Very gentle |
| Cornish Cross | n/a (meat) | Docile |
| Brahma | 150-200 | Very calm |
| Barred Plymouth Rock | 200-280 | Calm, curious |
| Easter Egger | 200-280 | Friendly |
| Wyandotte | 200-240 | Calm, steady |
| Sussex | 250+ | Friendly, curious |
| Marans | 150-200 | Calm, hardy |
Buying checklist
- Ask the breeder for photographs of eggs from the parent flock
- Choose a line that describes both egg colour and production
- Keep feathered-leg strains on dry ground and check for leg mites
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
What colour eggs do Marans lay?
Dark brown, from milk chocolate to deep chocolate depending on the strain.
Do Marans lay a lot of eggs?
They are moderate layers, roughly 150 to 200 eggs a year.
Why are my Marans eggs not dark?
Colour varies by strain and hen, and lightens during the laying season and with age. Hatchery birds often lay lighter eggs than breeder lines.
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