Maran History

The village of Marans, a port town on the Bay of Biscay in France, is where Marans chickens first appeared in the middle of the 1800s. The different types of Marans chickens that we have today are the result of the centuries-long introduction of new chicken breeds by trade ships, which were subsequently crossed with indigenous poultry. Although it is now regarded as a very rare breed, its gentle temperament and capacity to produce 250 gorgeous, dark brown eggs have made it extremely popular in the United States, both on farms and in backyards. The American Poultry Association currently recognizes four varieties of Marans. They are Black, Black Copper, Wheaten and White. Many other varieties exist, but only these four are currently recognized.