Marans Chicken: Facts, Info, Behavior, Lifespan & Care Guide

Content

• Quick facts about Maran chickens
• Marans Chicken Review
• How much do chickens cost?
• General attitude and temperament
• Appearance and types
• How to care for chickens
• Accommodation, coop conditions and setup
• Do chickens get along with other pets?
• What to Feed Your marans Chicken
• Keep your dead chicken healthy
• Breeding
• Are maran Chickens Right For You?

Maran chickens are in high demand due to their dark colored eggs. Before reaching for one of these rare breeds chicken, however, there are a many things you need to know. For example, you are not guaranteed dark brown eggs, although it is a possibility.

In this guide, we give you all the important information you need to know before buying Maran chickens. Let's get started and learn about these unique feathered friends.

Quick facts about maran chickens

• Species Name: marans or Poul de Marans
• Family: Phasianidae
• Level of care: Start
• Temperature: Light in most environments, but prefer hard
• Mood: Calm, friendly and quiet
• Color Form: Different type
• Lifetime: 8 years
• Size: 8 lbs
• Food: Chicken feed and water
• Minimum coop size: 4 square feet per adult
• Co-op Setup: Cooperate with roosting perch and nest boxes
• Compatibility: Get along with other chickens and animals

Marans Chicken Review

Maran chicken is a famous breed of chicken for producing dirty brown eggs. They are named after a city in France called Maran. Because of its French origins, you don't actually pronounce the "S" at the end of the word "kill" and the "S" is there whether you're referring to one hen or many.

It is not clear what birds were used to breed the Maran chicken. We do know that the Maran was developed in the late 1800s. Many species of birds, including game-type birds, were used. Experts agree that lancets were used and perhaps furrows.

Early breeders were trying to create a hen that would lay dark brown eggs. They weren't particularly interested in appearance, which resulted in a variety of hits. Chickens with feathers on their legs and feet are called French chickens, while chickens without feathers in these areas are English chickens.

Because of the extra feathering on the legs and feet, this breed requires a little more care and maintenance than other chickens. Fortunately, they are relatively friendly, making maintenance a little more pleasant.

Although these hens are best known for their dark brown eggs, not all marans produce the dark chocolate color they are known for. In fact, most blacks don't lay eggs. Instead, the majority of hens lay brown eggs, but not dark brown eggs. Also, the larger hens are, the lighter the eggs are.

How much do chickens cost?

Since Maran is a rare breed, they are more expensive than other chickens. Moreover, their prices vary dramatically based on egg color, egg quality, and breeding heritage.

When you first start buying egg hatchers, they will cost at least $3. Hatchery quality chicks will cost around $5.50 while hens can cost up to $70. If you're looking for a hen that can lay dark brown eggs, you can expect that individual to cost twice as much as other breeds.

General attitude and temperament

Maran is known as a fast growing breed. They are hardy and will thrive in most climates, including cold and hot climates, although they prefer cooler or milder temperatures. They are also resistant to many diseases and are considered really hardy.

Despite their tough nature, they are generally gentle. In fact, neither males nor females are aggressive, which is unique to roosters. They thrive best in a free-range environment because they can be lazy whenever they are in captivity. Although they have the potential to be lazy, they do better in captivity than other chickens.

Hens are really great mothers who are very caring. However, a single hen will produce 150 to 200 eggs per year, which is enough for a broody breed.

Appearance and types

Although Maran were not bred for show, they are considered an attractive breed. They are known for having a stiff feather, which is commonly found on gamebirds. Hard feathers include short, narrow and stiff feathers, without much fluff.

Additionally, marans have single combs of medium to large size. Usually, these combs will stand straight up, but some women have combs that partially flop over.

As we have already mentioned, the French Maroon will have feathers on its legs. It will be feather thin. On the other hand, the English maran has bare legs. Birds need show birds.

Today, there are several types of maran, but most are not recognized by the APA. Among the most popular species of Maran in the States are Black Copper Maran and Quail Maran.

Some other killers include:

• Berchin (not recognized by APA)
• black
• Black copper.
• Black-tailed Buff (not recognized by APA)
• Blue (not recognized by APA)
• Blue Copper (not recognized by APA)
• Blue Wheat (not accredited by APA)
• Brown Red (not recognized by APA)
• Columbine (not accredited by APA)
• Golden Cuckoo (not recognized by APA)
• Salmon (not recognized by APA)
• Silver Coil (not recognized by APA)
• Wheat
• white

Because there are so many different types of bats, chicks also come in different colors and patterns. Maran girls are incredibly hard to get with, which means you can get cock when you want it.

How to care for chickens

Marans are considered a hardy bird breed, but they have special needs that you should keep in mind. Most importantly, raptors are large birds. Their coops need to be large enough to accommodate their large build.

Accommodation, coop conditions and setup

Co-op

You must provide a coop for any chicken breed to protect them from the weather and predators. Maroons need a coop that can accommodate their large size. A minimum of 4 square feet of coop space is required for each fully grown hen.

Inside the coop, you need to add roosting patches and nesting boxes. Martens like to hover between 2 feet and 4 feet off the ground. Try to use a pole about 1.5 inches thick for maximum comfort.

Make sure the nesting boxes have bedding and are large enough for the whole hen to lay her eggs.

The bed

All chicken coops need bedding. The bedding will encourage egg laying, dryness and rest. For English varieties, you can choose regular chicken bedding, such as straw, hay, or old newspaper.

For French Fries, you may want to consider using sand to ensure they have a dry and warm environment to avoid frost. If you live in a hot or dry state, you can use hay or other traditional bedding options for French fries. Just make sure the coop stays dry, especially in winter.

Temperature

French martens are considered hardy birds. They can withstand extreme heat and short periods of extreme cold. Still, they prefer mild weather. You don't need to add heating or cooling elements to your coop unless you live in extreme conditions.

Lighting

Lighting affects the ability of laying hens to lay eggs. Make sure the coop has adequate lighting. If it doesn't have access to natural light, consider adding artificial lights, but be sure to take safety precautions to prevent the coop from catching fire.

Outer wall

In addition to a coop, Maran needs an outer wall. Snakes are naturally active and love to forage. Make sure they have plenty of room to roam and forage happily. Fortunately, females rarely fly, meaning you don't have to worry about high fences.

Do chickens get along with other pets?

Maran chickens are considered good-natured and friendly chickens. As a result, they are a suitable breed to combine with other types of chicken. They are most likely to be found with chickens.

If you have English chickens, make sure other chickens aren't picking at their feet. There have been cases of chickens sucking on each other's exposed feet, causing injuries to the infected chicken and other concerns.

If you have other pets, make sure they are safe around the chickens. Snakes are unlikely to be aggressive towards other animal species, but they may be aggressive themselves. If you have dogs or other animals that might see your chickens as prey, keep them safely away.

What to Feed Your Mearns Chicken

Whenever you first find a Mearns Chicken, feed it mash to the farmers. It is easily consumed and has high protein content. After the chickens are about 6 weeks old, you can feed them chickpea mash, which contains about 16% protein. Once your hen is 18 weeks old, she will need more nutrients to produce eggs.

Whenever you want your hens to lay eggs, you can feed them layers of mash or pellets. Make sure the pellets are about 16% protein. You can also add calcium supplements to the feed for added nutrients.

On average, they consume 5 ounces to 7 ounces a day. You can also leave feed and small snacks, such as seeds or worms, outside for them to forage for.

Do not eat dark chocolate or beans. Both of these foods can cause fatal reactions in chickens. Also, don't feed your chicken any food with mold on it. In some countries it is illegal to feed chickens because of their negative reaction to rotting.

In addition to food, rodents need constant access to water. They prefer the water to be cold. Make sure water is served on the back surface to prevent debris from entering the feeder.

Keep your dead chicken healthy

Because Marans are very hardy birds, they are considered relatively easy to care for compared to other species. The biggest influence on their health is their ability to move around. Give your pup plenty of room to explore and explore. This prevents them from getting fat.

Another important aspect of keeping marans healthy is providing them with a safe coop. Make sure the coop is secure and has adequate space for the bird.

Additionally, feed them the right nutrients. Start by feeding them about 5 ounces of food per day. If they are overly hungry, gradually increase their feed intake, but don't feed them more than 7 ounces a day. Also provide them with water 24/7.

As we mentioned above, the French Marin requires a little more maintenance than other chicken breeds. If you have French Bulldogs, you need to clean their feet periodically so they don't get compacted with their own droppings and dirt. Additionally, be on the lookout for spiny-legged bugs and overgrown feathers.

Another thing you need to be careful about with French fries is that they are more prone to frostbite. Make sure their pop is dry and warm to avoid frostbite

Breeding

Most marans are reared for their eggs. Unfortunately, it's hard to tell who the best layer is. The only way to determine the best layer is the trap-nesting method, where the birds are trapped in the nest, allowing the breeder to know which birds are responsible for the eggs.

The best way to determine which hen to breed is to look at the color of the eggs. The darker their eggs, the more likely their offspring will produce darker eggs. This is because the dark eggshell is related to genes, although the exact gene is difficult to isolate.

For more security in obtaining a black egg, choose a hen that has also been hatched from a black egg. This would make both the mother and the father potentially pass on the dark egg gene to their offspring. The darkest marten eggs are laid early in the season.

Are Maran Chickens Right For You?

Maran chicken is a very useful and beautiful breed. Between their delicious meat and frequent egg laying, they are a great addition to just about any farm. Not to mention, they have a great personality that gets along well with other chickens and animals.

One thing to keep in mind about Marans is their large size and possible extra maintenance, in the case of French Marans. If you don't have enough space for these large chickens, choose a smaller breed instead. Also, don't choose a Frenchie if you're not willing to give them the occasional chicken pedicure.

Apart from their need for more space and extra care, maroons are very easy to care for and have numerous farm advantages. Just make them a room and watch their feet. They should be good to go!