Marans

Looks how to spot one

Soft, fairly close feathering; shanks lightly feathered in the French type and clean in the British type

A solid, medium-to-large utility bird with a single comb, red or orange eyes and a sturdy frame. Its big claim to fame is the egg: hens lay very dark brown eggs in shades from reddish mahogany to deep chocolate.14

Personality what they are like

Generally calm, quiet and friendly, getting along well with the rest of the flock. Marans are alert birds that watch for danger, and many prefer being near people to being held for long spells.34

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active foragers that enjoy free ranging, but they also adapt well to living in a run.34

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Chickens keep their own feathers in order by preening and dust bathing, so the main jobs are a dry dust-bath area, clean dry bedding, daily flock checks and regular egg collection. Keep footing dry and check the legs of feathered-shank birds so mud does not build up. Tractor Supply suggests about 4 sq ft (0.37 m²) of coop space per bird. Hens typically lay around 150 to 200 eggs a year.35

Home where they are happiest

A secure, dry, well-ventilated but draught-free coop with perches and nest boxes, plus a fenced run with a patch of dry soil for dust bathing. The RSPCA suggests about 1 m² of indoor space per bird where possible.56

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete commercial poultry ration is the base: chick starter, then grower, then layer feed once hens begin laying. Provide insoluble grit, oyster shell as extra calcium for laying hens, and constant clean water.56

Company who they like around

Chickens are flock animals that forage, roost and dust bathe together, so keep at least three birds that get along.5

The story where it all began

Marans grew out of local farm chickens around the town of Marans, mixed with birds landed by visiting ships at La Rochelle and later with Croad Langshan blood. They were first shown in La Rochelle in 1914, a breed club followed in 1929 and a French standard in 1931. Eggs reached Britain around 1929 and the breed became a respected dual-purpose utility fowl there.12

Recognised by the official bits

The Poultry Club of Great Britain

Standardised breed, classed as soft feather heavy.2

American Poultry Association

Oklahoma State lists White, Wheaten and Black Copper as APA-recognised; Tractor Supply lists Black, Black Copper, Wheaten and White.4

French breed standard

First French standard drawn up in 1931 after a breed society formed in 1929; French colours include white, wheaten, silver cuckoo, golden cuckoo, black, copper-black, silver-black, copper-blue, black-tailed buff and Columbian.1