maran????

silvermissy · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:01 pm

Hello
Can anyone tell me of the genetics of the maran chicken.
I'm interested in them but as far as I gather there is none in Australia.
If only the could be imported either poultry or eggs. Darn it

frasers_zoo · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:00 pm

direct from the feathersite page:

This breed, which originated in western France in the town of Marans, is best known for its dark chocolate colored eggs. It is a fast grower and does well in damp areas, having been developed in a marshy portion of France. The original French birds have feathered legs, but this characteristic has been bred out of the British and many American lines. The French recognize 8 varieties: 1. Silver Cuckoo, 2. Golden Cuckoo, 3. White, 4. Coppered Black, 5. Black, 6. Wheat, 7. Black-tailed Fawn, and 8. Ermine; they are considering adding the Silvered Black (created since 1932 and remarkable for the color and spherical form of its eggs). In the Cuckoo Marans, males are lighter in color than females--it is said to be possible to color sex them even as chicks with pretty good accuracy.

here is a link to the Maran's page in France - don't worry, it's in english :lol:

http://marans.cyberscope.fr/

this page also has lots of links
HTH

Ange

Deans' Poultry · **Posted:** Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:19 am

Gday silvermissy, if ya like i can write out the british standards for marans if that's any help to ya?
There's not much info around on them is there? Even Rick Kemps books don't make a mention of them. Only book around here with any info is Free Range Poultry by Katie Thear, and that only mentions really the colour of the eggs and breeding with marans

joc1 · **Joined:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:31 pm **Posts:** 35

Marans are listed in the Australian Standards book but mainly the cuckoo's.

Were there any at Gatton Auction?

There are a few people around with them you just need to track them down.

J

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

I bought a new breeds book last time I was in Brisbane from Dymocks in the city , Its called Choosing Chickens and it has a good section on Marans

silvermissy · **Posted:** Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:56 am

Hi Deans Poultry
That would be nice if it's not too much trouble. I've read a little about them on the net. I really love the color of th eggs I just don't think I can get the x breed girls I got here to lay eggs that dark though. :lol:

I may just look right into it and see if they can be create here though.
Thanks so Much

Lou · **Joined:** Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:12 am **Posts:** 387

I spoke to a lady this morning that had some for sale this weekend, she said they decided to go out of them because there was only about 60 pairs left in Aust. & no new lines to go to. I hadn't heard of them so I quized her, interesting so now I will go & have a look at pics.

Lou · **Joined:** Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:12 am **Posts:** 387

Wow that egg colour, I thought it was a joke first.

Deans' Poultry · **Posted:** Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:42 pm

Yer it's unusual eh?

I've never seen them in shops, but aparently there is a gourmet market purely for the dark coloured eggs lol. Wonder if people think they taste chocolatey :lol:

joc1 · **Joined:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:31 pm **Posts:** 35

Lou wrote:

I spoke to a lady this morning that had some for sale this weekend, she said they decided to go out of them because there was only about 60 pairs left in Aust. & no new lines to go to. I hadn't heard of them so I quized her, interesting so now I will go & have a look at pics.

Lou, Do you know what colour they were?

J

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