Care & how-to
Marans Chickens: Breed Guide to Dark Eggs and Care
The Marans is a heavy French chicken breed prized mainly for extremely dark brown eggs. University of Wisconsin Extension lists hens at 6½ pounds and roots the breed in the marshes of France's Atlantic coast. Utah State puts egg output at 150 to 200 a year. Here is what to expect, and how to house them, with our chicken runs for outdoor space.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 14, 20264 min read3 sources
Where the Marans comes from
University of Wisconsin Extension places the breed's origin in France, in the marshy areas along the Atlantic coast, and says it is named after the port town of Marans. It sits in the Continental Class, in the French subgroup. That history matters to a keeper, because a bird developed on wet coastal ground is a sturdy forager rather than a delicate show bird.
The same page names three recognized varieties: Black Copper, Wheaten and White. You will also see Cuckoo and other colors sold by hatcheries, but the extension listing sticks to those three, so check which variety a seller means before you order. If dark eggs are the whole point, the variety and the strain matter as much as the breed name.
Size and appearance
This is a heavy breed. Wisconsin Extension gives standard weights of 8 pounds for a cock, 6½ pounds for a hen, 7 pounds for a cockerel and 5½ pounds for a pullet. Utah State University Extension also classes it as a heavy breed, so plan for roomier perches, nest boxes and doors than you would for a lightweight layer such as a Leghorn.
Marans are also listed as having fine-textured meat, but they are mainly prized for the eggshell, not the table. If you are comparing breeds by size, our chicken coop size guide explains how to plan a shelter around heavier birds.
Eggs: color, size and how many
Wisconsin Extension describes the eggshell color as very dark reddish brown and says the breed is mainly prized for extremely dark eggshells, and known for egg size as well as color. Utah State describes the eggs as dark chocolate brown and lists the hens at 150 to 200 eggs per year, with a note that the breed is known for rich egg color.
That puts the Marans in the middle for output but at the top for looks, so it suits a keeper who wants a colorful basket more than the highest count. Our guides to chicken egg colors and the best egg-laying chickens show where it sits among other breeds. Utah State lists the laying stage as 20 to 72 weeks, with pullets reaching sexual maturity around 18 weeks.
Temperament
Utah State University Extension describes Marans as having a reserved temperament. That is a polite way of saying they are not usually the lap chickens that Orpingtons or Silkies are. Handling chicks and pullets gently and often, from an early age, is the practical way to get a calmer adult.
A reserved bird is also easier to stress when the flock changes. Introduce new birds slowly, give them space to avoid each other, and add extra feeders and waterers so a heavy, quiet hen is not pushed off the food. Wisconsin Extension does not rate the breed's broodiness, so ask the hatchery about the strain you buy.
Housing, run space and predators
Utah State lists 0.14 to 0.19 square meters of floor per bird, roughly 1.5 to 2 square feet, as a figure that helps reduce feather pecking in floor systems. Heavy hens appreciate more, so treat that as a floor, not a target. A covered run lets them forage safely, and a combinable wooden chicken run with perches is one way to add a secure outdoor area to an existing coop.
Merck Veterinary Manual advises fencing that extends at least 12 inches into the ground and a covered top against flying or climbing predators, listing cats, dogs, skunks, hawks and foxes among the threats. A large walk-in design such as a walk-in chicken run with a cover suits a bigger flock. Our guide to choosing a chicken run explains the trade-offs.
Feeding, laying age and when to see a vet
Utah State lists layers at 16 to 18 percent protein and 3.5 to 4 percent calcium, and notes the pre-lay phase of 16 to 20 weeks, when pullets move onto layer feed. Its own tables are not fully consistent on calcium, so follow the label of a complete layer ration and keep oyster shell separate rather than mixing your own.
Call a veterinarian who treats poultry if a hen stops laying without a reason such as molt, stops eating, breathes with effort or seems weak. A pullet that never starts laying and a hen with a swollen belly should also be seen. When you are ready to compare shelters, browse our chicken coops as well as our chicken runs.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
What color eggs do Marans chickens lay?
Very dark reddish or chocolate brown. University of Wisconsin Extension calls the shell very dark reddish brown, and Utah State calls it dark chocolate brown, with the breed prized chiefly for that color.
How many eggs does a Marans lay a year?
Utah State University Extension lists Marans at 150 to 200 eggs per year. That is a moderate output, so the breed is chosen more for egg color than for the highest count.
How big do Marans chickens get?
Wisconsin Extension gives standard weights of 8 pounds for a cock and 6½ pounds for a hen. That makes them a heavy breed that needs sturdy perches and roomy nest boxes.
Are Marans friendly chickens?
Utah State describes them as reserved rather than cuddly. Gentle, regular handling from chick age helps, and introducing new flock mates slowly keeps a quiet hen from being stressed.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
