Description

The Lowdown:

These are amazing! We just love their rich brown eggs. We have had other lines of Marans before and they are just not worth it. Their eggs were nice but nowhere near the quality we are getting from this French National Champion line. To be clear, not every hen will lay a very dark egg. You should realistically expect eggs from medium brown to very dark. In addition to amazing eggs, the fiery oranges and reds that seem to explode from their plumage in the sun are breathtaking. Marans eggs are said to be the best-tasting eggs in the world. According to Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series, Marans eggs are the only ones worth eating. It’s worth noting that the mechanism that colors the eggs weakens during the laying cycle, so expect to get the darkest eggs when they first begin to lay at each cycle. We try not to judge the choices people make in regards to what chickens they keep, but it would simply be a mistake not to have a few of these in every flock.

Breed History:

Marans originated on the west coast of France in a town called Marans. Amazingly, they evolved from an unknown mix of breeds brought from India and Indonesia. The tired fighting roosters that survived voyages were traded for fresh meat and egg-laying hens. These roosters mixed with local swamp hens and came to be called “swamp chickens.” They were prized for their fighting abilities and the rich mahogany eggs the hens produced.  It’s their fighting lineage that gives them the proud athletic posture and muscle tone they are known for. In the 1920’s, local breeders began working to improve them by mixing in Langshan, Brahma and Coucou de Malines. By the 1930’s, their dual-purpose breed status was established. Following the devastation of World War II, much of the foundation stock had been lost and they were nearly extinct. In the 1950’s under the direction of the French Department of Agricultural Services, the breed was revived and dramatically improved its egg-laying abilities. 

Stats:

Eggs- Dark mahogany brown. Roughly 150 – 200 eggs per year

Dual Purpose- Yes. Males average 8lb and females 6.5lb

Standard of Perfection:

We offer pure lines but select primarily on egg color, vigor and temperament. If you are a breeder looking for specific SOP traits please contact us to ensure our stock will be the right fit for your breeding goals.