black copper marans stock photo.png
black copper marans stock photo.png

Black Copper Marans

$35.00

  • Renowned for extra-dark “chocolate” brown eggs—the darkest eggs of any breed

  • Rich, jet-black feathers with vibrant copper highlights on neck and saddle

  • Medium-large build: hens ~7 lbs, roosters ~8 lbs; upright, balanced frame

  • Gentle, friendly, and easy for beginners and families; adapts to backyard or farm life

  • Yearly production: 150–200 medium-large eggs, especially dark early in laying cycle

  • Feathered shanks and bright red combs (French standard)

  • Thrives in a range of climates with preference for ultra-dry coops

  • Historic French breed with champion bloodlines—Marans always plural, even for one bird!

  • NPIP-certified chicks ensure health and authentic egg color genetics

  • Renowned for extra-dark “chocolate” brown eggs—the darkest eggs of any breed

  • Rich, jet-black feathers with vibrant copper highlights on neck and saddle

  • Medium-large build: hens ~7 lbs, roosters ~8 lbs; upright, balanced frame

  • Gentle, friendly, and easy for beginners and families; adapts to backyard or farm life

  • Yearly production: 150–200 medium-large eggs, especially dark early in laying cycle

  • Feathered shanks and bright red combs (French standard)

  • Thrives in a range of climates with preference for ultra-dry coops

  • Historic French breed with champion bloodlines—Marans always plural, even for one bird!

  • NPIP-certified chicks ensure health and authentic egg color genetics

Black Copper Marans – The Ultimate Breed Guide for Discerning Flock Owners

The Black Copper Marans is the legendary French chicken breed renowned worldwide for laying some of the darkest brown eggs known to poultry—often called “chocolate eggs.” Originating from the port town of Marans in France, this breed results from over a century of selective crossing and is celebrated for its rarity, striking appearance, and exceptional egg color genetics.

Appearance:
True Black Copper Marans stand out for their silky jet-black feathers with a vibrant green sheen, highlighted by distinctive copper plumage on the neck and saddle in both hens and roosters. Proper show stock, as recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA), feature moderate feathering on the legs, a soft slate or pink skin tone, and a single bright-red comb. The breed is medium-to-large—hens average 7 lbs and roosters up to 8 lbs—exhibiting a strong, balanced frame with a gentle upright stance and wide shoulders.

Egg Laying & Color:
Black Copper Marans are world-famous for their beautiful, extra-dark chocolate brown eggs. On the Marans Egg Color Chart (1–9), top hens regularly produce eggs grading 6–8, driven by special pigment layering in the shell gland. Expect 150–200 medium-large eggs per year; eggs are darkest at the season’s start or after breaks in laying. Despite moderate output, Marans eggs add undeniable visual appeal and market value to any basket—many chefs and collectors seek them for their unique color.

Temperament & Care:
Black Copper Marans are exceptionally gentle, laid-back, and easy to handle—ideal for families or mixed flocks. They adapt well to confinement or free-range settings, forage efficiently, and respect garden boundaries. Roosters generally display good manners with humans and hens. Marans thrive in a variety of climates (both cold and warm) but prefer ultra-dry coops, with sand bedding keeping feathered feet clean and preventing frostbite.

History & Genetics:
With a colorful ancestry involving local “swamp chickens,” gamecocks from Indonesia and India, and historic contributions from Croad Langshan and Brahma breeds, Black Copper Marans have remarkable hardiness and beauty. “French” Black Copper Marans are those bred to APA standards, featuring feathered shanks and superior egg coloring; British lines are often clean-legged.

Care Tips & Trivia:

  • Provide balanced, high-protein feed for optimal egg color.

  • Feathered legs may require extra attention in muddy or wet conditions.

  • Chicks sourced from NPIP-certified breeders (like Posh Poultry Palace) ensure disease-free stock and reliable egg color.

  • Fun fact: “Marans” is always plural—even for a single bird!

  • Marans almost vanished during WWII, but French conservation revived the breed thanks to their culinary value and beauty.