Maran black copper description. All about maran chickens

The Maran chicken breed is considered quite common in farms around the world. Birds owe their popularity to the unusual chocolate coloring of eggs. In addition, they have a high level of strength. Products are not the only thing for which marans are so valued. These chickens have many unsurpassed qualities.

Origin and characteristics of the breed

Maran chickens were bred back in 1885 by French breeders. However, glory overtook the birds not immediately. Farmers started talking about her only in 1914, after the chickens made a splash at the La Rochelle exhibition. The name of the breed corresponds to the name of the city in which the birds were bred. It is worth noting that the climate in these places is very severe. Therefore, marans have adapted to any bad weather and easily endure the winter.

However, chickens are best kept in a warm place, so they can rush.

In Europe, marans are widespread. In Russia, it is quite difficult to find high-quality and thoroughbred poultry, since there are no large farms in the country specializing in this breed of chickens. Not so long ago, large farms began to significantly expand the range of poultry, and soon it will not cause any difficulties to purchase maran.

According to the description, outwardly maranas look very attractive. Their stately appearance stands out noticeably among the rest of the pack. They have a massive and large body, but even due to the size of the birds, they cannot be called clumsy.

Features of the Maran chicken breed are as follows.

Birds have contrasting plumage, and even molting does not spoil their appearance, but only changes the tone. The color scheme of the plumage of marans is quite diverse, it can be both dark and light tones, with different tints.
The plumage fits snugly to the body of the chicken. The birds are of medium size, the body is oblong, the shoulders are broad, and the chest is convex. The neck of marans is massive and long, the feathers on it are arranged in such a way that they create the effect of a collar.
Maranas have short wings, a long tail, their thick limbs are of medium size, the color can be white or yellow. The head of the bird is slightly flattened and has a medium size.
The comb of the bird is standard, red in color, rigid structure. Chickens of this breed have long earrings, painted red.
Metatarsals, like fingers, have light plumage.
The small eyes of chickens are golden in color.
The yellow beak of the bird has a curved shape.
The weight of a maran rooster can reach 4 kilograms. The weight of the female is 3 kilograms.
Tender maran meat is famous for its incredible taste. However, the main thing for which these chickens are so loved is their eggs. They are large in size, the maximum weight of the product is 80 grams.
A variety of maran is considered medium-late, this is due to the beginning of the egg-laying period. Birds become sexually mature when they reach 6 months. The first laying eggs can weigh up to 55 grams and are white in color. Over time, chickens begin to lay larger and darker eggs.
The average egg production rate can reach 140 eggs per year. The conditions of poultry keeping have a great influence on this factor.
Chickens can live up to 7 years. High productivity is observed at the age of 2-3 years. After that, a complete replacement of the livestock is carried out.
Among the birds of this breed, there are dwarf varieties, the weight of females reaches only 800 grams, and males - 1 kilogram.

Pros and cons

Marans practically do not have significant shortcomings. The only negative point is their strong shell. This feature often serves as a serious obstacle to the birth of chickens. It is very difficult for them to break through such a powerful shell.

If we talk about the pluses of the breed, then marans have a lot more of them than minuses.

Varieties of colors

In the course of a long selection work, experts brought out a large number of representatives of the maran breed of various stripes. These birds have a rather diverse color, but from their ancestors they received the so-called birthmark in the form of specks on the plumage.

Types of maran colors are as follows.

Wheat. This variety is characterized by brown plumage in the tail of the mane and head. There are also representatives of a golden-red color. The back is characterized by a rich red color, and the wings are painted in a light red hue. Flight wings are black with a bright green tint. The black tail has an emerald sheen. Clush is characterized by a lighter color, most of the representatives have a golden-red color. The chest and abdomen area has a wheaten hue. Down is characterized by a milky color.

The color standard for all maranos of this variety is the same, the plumage should be cream, wheaten and dark red.

Silver cuckoo. Marana roosters have a lighter color than hens. This condition is mandatory for the variety. The variegated plumage has a pale red tint, decorated with speckles along the body.

Due to their genetic characteristics, the offspring of such birds may have black plumage.

golden cuckoo. Such chickens in places have a bright yellow tint. The shoulders are characterized by red plumage. The main part is painted in silver-cuckoo color. Females of this species have yellow plumage only on the head and neck.

Black and copper. The body and tail of representatives of this species of birds have black plumage. The lumbar region, mane and head are painted in copper color. The intensity of such a color can be different, the main condition is the presence of a similar color. Males may have black plumage on their backs and loins.

The hen, like the rooster, is the owner of only two colors of plumage.

White. These chickens have plumage of rich white color. In some places on the body, roosters may have yellowish tints. The metatarsus of white marans is pink.

Mottled. This variety of chickens is characterized by a white plumage, on which there are small round spots of brown or red.

Lavender. Plumage color is based on black and red pigments. A special gene of birds makes it lighter, and then their feathers become blue or milky. The offspring of lavender chickens may have red or black plumage.

Silver black. The plumage color is similar to the copper-black suit of birds. The only difference is the absence of red feathers on the tail and neck. Instead, these zones have silver plumage.

Colombian. The body of these chickens is covered with white feathers and down of the same color. The plumage in the mane area is black, it is decorated with a white edging. The upper part of the flight feathers is painted snow-white, and the lower part is black. Hocks have a pale pink tint.

Before you start marans, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with all the nuances of keeping individuals of this breed. A distinctive feature of marans is their calm and docile nature. In the case of a mixed type of content in a flock, you can keep up to 3 roosters for 30 hens.

Such birds fight very rarely and coexist perfectly.

chicken coop

The room for chickens should be warm and dry. The chicken coop should be protected from drafts. It also needs to be provided with enough light. It is recommended to illuminate the room for at least 12 hours, especially in the winter season. The temperature in the chicken coop all year round should be at least 15 degrees Celsius. In winter, farmers install a heater in the chicken coop as an additional source of heat. The floor should be covered with sawdust or straw, which should preferably be changed at least 2 times a month.

Increased moisture levels can harm the condition of chickens, so you need to regularly air the barn in which they are kept.

Nutrition

The rules for feeding marans are not much different from other birds of this species. A balanced diet must be provided for high egg production rates, as well as for normal weight gain in birds. It is strongly not recommended to overfeed hens. Underfeeding also has a bad effect on the condition of the maran. Such nutrition can reduce the productivity of laying hens. For chickens and adult chickens, you need to make the right diet.

To ensure the young growth with normal development and growth, it is necessary to feed the birds according to a certain scheme.

1 to 3 days. The nutrition of newborn chickens in this period is based on boiled eggs and low-fat cottage cheese. Birds should be given food every 2 hours.
3 to 6 days. These days, the diet of young animals must be filled with products such as ground wheat grains and corn grits.
6 to 9 days. Shell rock and crushed eggshells are added to the diet. Food is given 5-6 times a day.
From 10 days. The number of meals is reduced to 4 times a day.
From 14 days. Plant products are introduced into the diet.

To prevent stomach diseases, it is recommended to give chickens a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure should be carried out no more than once a week. Upon reaching 4 months, the chickens switch to a diet that is intended for adult birds. One adult chicken consumes about 75 grams of feed per day, if this product is the basis of nutrition.

It is better to divide the feed into several meals, otherwise if you pour out the entire norm at a time, the birds will eat everything, after which they will remain hungry.

Be sure to include vegetables and herbs in your diet.. In summer, birds eat grass, they can also be given chopped vegetables and cabbage. Laying hens need to be fed. They should be fed several times a day. In order for the products to be of good quality, a normal amount of greens must be added to the diet.

The chicken diet consists of proteins and carbon feed (70% of the total mass). From an early age, chickens should receive vitamins and all useful substances. Some feeds already contain the necessary elements to keep birds healthy. Many farmers prefer food based on the amaranth variety. They note that this additive, which is used for feed, is eaten by birds with pleasure. Additional meals are provided separately. So the bird itself will be able to decide what exactly to eat and in what quantity.

Place for walking

To prevent rain from harming the birds, it is recommended to cover half of the walking area with a roof.

Possible problems

It happens that for some reason in a flock of birds begin to peck the tails of its weaker representatives. Such behavior for representatives of the species is considered pathological. It manifests itself in the form of aggression by eating the feather of a fallen chicken. Birds can also damage the cloaca and skin of their neighbors. There are 3 main reasons for cannibalism among chickens: features of the breed of chickens and their socialization, conditions of detention, nutrition.

For the affected bird, a separate cage is made and it is separated from the flock. The damaged area must be treated with hydrogen peroxide. After that, the treated wound is lubricated with oily disinfectants:

ichthyol ointment;
glycerol;
tar ointment.

In this case, you should find out the cause of pecking among chickens and try to eliminate it. It is best to improve the conditions of the birds, as well as make changes to their diet. A sick and weak bird is removed from the common chicken coop.

Breeding

Before you start the process of breeding and growing maran, you need to choose a hen for breeding new offspring. A chicken with a high level of egg production is suitable for this role. You should also pay attention to the appearance of the bird and its compliance with the breed standard. The chicken should be of a calm nature, of medium size, and be at least 2 years old.

The optimal age of the hen is 2-3 years.

It is recommended to use fresh eggs for the breeding process. They should be large in size and characteristically dark in color. As mentioned earlier, the biggest problem when breeding a breed is a thick and durable shell. It happens that the embryos cannot destroy it and later die. There is a way that can save most embryos. Eggs should be placed on the side and well ventilated. Thus, a large amount of oxygen will enter the egg.

To prevent the embryo from drying out, the eggs should be turned over to the inside of the shell once every 2 days.

Maran eggs are quite large, so you can put no more than 10 of them under the chicken. In the room where the chicken will incubate eggs, there should be a normal temperature, the heat is considered unacceptable. The humidity level should reach 75%. The incubation period continues for 20 days. When the chicks begin to hatch, it is advisable to be nearby in case any difficulties arise.

Diseases and their prevention

By adhering to certain rules, you can avoid the appearance of diseases among chickens. The main preventive points include maintaining cleanliness in the room where the birds live and a balanced diet. Chickens should be vaccinated at an early age.

The most common diseases of Maran chickens are as follows.

Bird flu. This disease belongs to the category of infectious diseases. During bird flu, chickens lose coordination and have a significant increase in body temperature. The plumage has a disheveled appearance, and the bird often rotates its head. Another sign of illness is discharge in the form of mucus from the beak. A sick chicken must be isolated. Usually it is immediately slaughtered to prevent infection.
Ascariasis. In this case, the bird may appear worms. At the first detection of signs of the disease in the chicken coop, it is necessary to carry out sanitization with boiling water. To cure the disease, it is recommended to buy special preparations for chickens, designed to combat helminths.
Knemidocoptosis. On the paws of birds, growths appear in the form of small tubercles, they can also be covered with scales. The cause of the disease is the scabies mite. To cure a bird, it is necessary to apply aversictin or novertin ointment.
Abdominal dropsy. Symptoms of the disease can be a sluggish appearance of the bird, a tense gait, an increase in the abdominal cavity. In this case, it is necessary to get rid of excess fluid in the stomach. To do this, it is recommended to add a diuretic based on herbs to the water. For this purpose, bearberry decoction can perfectly cope.

Among ordinary breeds of chickens in agriculture, the productive and hardy breed of chickens Maran stands apart. She is famous not only for the high quality of products, but also for the original appearance of the eggs. Marans lay beautiful elegant eggs!

In agriculture, there has always been a certain fashion for animal breeds. As a rule, new, recently bred breeds were at the peak of popularity. So, in the 19th century, Indian types of birds were of the greatest value.

Farmers actively bred Brahma and Lanshan breeds of chickens. In order to strengthen the genetics of their wards, the owners crossed them with other species. Participated in the expansion of breeds and French chickens - Marans.

Soon, the farming world became interested in maranas as a separate breed. The first official presentation of the species occurred at an exhibition in 1914. And already in 1924 the first club of maran breeders was founded. It is not surprising that his appearance happened in the birthplace of the breed, in France.

The official registration of the Maran breed happened in 1931. The main point of the standard was the plumage of the metatarsus, which became a kind of hallmark of the species.

Maran left the homeland in 1934. The first to breed it were the British. Having seen an outlandish chicken “in pants” at the exhibition, Britain began to study the breed.

However, the British decided that the chickens did not need trousers and selected individuals with bare legs for selection. So a new branch was formed, which differs from the English breed in a light “outfit”.

The English gag remained misunderstood by the French. The bare-legged breed of chickens became a new reason for the continuation of the invisible hostility between France and England. The formation of a breed club in Britain in the middle of the century added fuel to the fire.

Birds continued their scandalous march through the history in America. The breeders of the mainland twice created the Breeders' Association, but both times the organization fell apart under the pressure of controversy. The Americans could not come to a consensus on what the Marano chicken should be like - with or without pants.

The name of the breed "Maran" appeared spontaneously. The breeders could not decide what the new birds would be called, so they gave them a temporary name. As you know, there is nothing more permanent than temporary.

Today maran exists in both variations. Most countries recognize the French genotype, but bare-footed representatives of the breed are bred no less actively.

Maran chicken breed standard

The French maran became famous not only for the war of countries over plumage, but also for the struggle of breeders for a high-quality exterior. Breeders have come a long way in order to develop new colors, as well as to stabilize the features of the breed.

In the end, the standard was adopted, and today farmers know its main features.

Exterior "cuckoo"

Characteristics of maran:

Head	Proportional, slightly elongated. Comb of medium length, in the form of a leaf of a bright red hue. The position of the crest is free, it does not reach the back of the head. Elongated lobes with a neat texture and soft skin. The skin of the face is reddish. The eyes are orange. The beak is rounded.
Neck	The length is average. Slightly curved at the top. The plumage is thick, falling on the shoulders.
Body	Strong body with pronounced broad shoulders. The body is compact and strong. The weight of the bird is large, but the dimensions are “knocked down”. Flat back with extended loin and raised lower section. Wide chest. The belly is full. The wings are not long, closely pressed to the body.
Tail	Short, elevated above the ground at an acute angle.
limbs	Large lower legs and metatarsus in proportion to the limbs. The plumage of the legs depends on the specific branch of the breed. Hocks are grey. Nails pinkish or unpigmented, soles exceptionally white.

The standard clearly prescribes the angle of the tail. It drops below 45° from the ground.

In addition to standard marans, a dwarf variety is also bred. The appearance standard for this branch is the same. However, an adult rooster weighs about a kilogram, and a chicken grows up to about 900 g.

Permissible colors

Depending on the country, the requirements for the color standard also change. So, marans in America can be white, with a wheat feather or black with copper patches.

There are several colors that are not covered by the American Association standard. Such shades are divorced, despite the "defective" color:

Lavender;
Salmon;
With a golden sheen;
Combinations of the above shades.

A distinctive feature of the breed is the chess arrangement of multi-colored feathers. I call this pattern "cuckoo".

Description of popular colors:

Copper Maran. The exterior is black with a reddish mane. 80% of the total livestock is this color. The plumage of the body is black with red spots. Chickens have a copper necklace. Red shoulders and black wings. Copper feathers on the neck and back. The rooster should not have many red spots, and the hen is allowed a moderate amount of them on the chest.
Maran is black. The color was officially recognized in 1949. The plumage of the bird consists entirely of black feathers. A greenish tint is not allowed. A black shin is possible in both females and males.
Silver color like cuckoo. Black and white feathers in a checkerboard arrangement. The pattern is indistinct. The plumage of a rooster is bright, that of a chicken is duller.
Golden type of cuckoo. Black and reddish feathers interlayer, merging into patterned plumage. The chess ornament is more noticeable on chickens.
White. White plumage without red or black markings. The skin of the legs is pigmentless or light red.

In addition to the colors described, there are also golden, Colombian and fawn shades. Combinations of shades are acceptable, for example, black and silver.

Maran productivity

Maran belongs to the universal breeds of chickens. He has a massive body of large size, as well as a developed chest. In addition to outstanding external data, Maranese chickens are actively rushing. Based on these characteristics, the breed was included in the category of egg and meat.

Individuals develop quite quickly. During the first year of life, chickens gain about 2.5 kg of weight. Roosters by this age weigh more than 3 kg. A mature male bird weighs between 3.5 and 4 kg. Females are somewhat lighter - 2.5-3 kg.

Chicken meat is of high quality, with good nutritional properties. Suitable for almost any dish. The carcass looks neat, the skin has a light yellowish tint.

Despite the excellent taste of meat, marans are rarely used to obtain such products. It is much more profitable to breed a breed in order to obtain eggs. In addition, chickens begin to lay as early as six months. Young females have small eggs. The shade of the shell is light in the first year, but over time it becomes saturated.

The peak of intense color is observed in the period from the first to the second year of life. Chickens "aged" gradually slow down and soon begin to lay pale eggs.

A one-year-old chicken lays eggs weighing up to 85 g. For comparison, the average egg breeds are 65 g. The Marana standard says that a reference egg weighs as much as 100 g.

The productivity of the breed is quite high. One hen lays 150 eggs a year. Egg safety is added to high egg production. Due to the strong shell, the eggs of the breed are suitable for eating raw. The strong barrier of a cover interferes with penetration of microorganisms from external environment.

Egg features

Maran's business card is eggs of a rich reddish hue. They are often called "chocolate" or "Easter".

The quality of the product is determined by the intensity of the shade of the shell. A special shade scale has been created that allows you to compare eggs.

Scoring:

According to the table, the highest score is given to dark brown eggs, the shell of which is almost black. This is the highest quality product. It is used for breeding chickens.
Somewhat lower are the eggs that received 6-7 points. Such specimens are rarely selected for incubation.
4-5 points is low, but acceptable.

It is curious that only the surface of the shell turns out to be colored. If you scratch the egg with a sharp object, the “paint” peels off it, and under it is an ordinary white egg.

Some breeders practice shell darkening by introducing certain dark foods into the bird's diet. For example, beetroot juice or onion broth “tint” the egg shirt a little.

Such sophisticated methods are used when chicken is shown at exhibitions. In this case, the shape of the egg and its shade are evaluated. Oval products are held in high esteem, it is difficult to determine the spout and blunt end.

A thick shell is appreciated, but it is also considered a disadvantage. It is difficult for hatching chicks to break through such a barrier.

The saturation of the color of the shell also depends on the conditions of detention. Thus, the shade serves as a kind of indicator of the quality of care.

A thick shell helps not only to store eggs, but also to transport them with the least loss.

Conditions for keeping chickens of the Maran breed

Despite its unpretentiousness, the Maran breed needs quality care. The statement about golden eggs is partly true. Competent care of the breed is really able to "get rich" the farmer.

How to care

The most profitable cultivation of egg-oriented chickens. To obtain quality products, farmers are advised to follow the following rules:

Birds must be provided with a territory for walking. A small aviary or shelter with access to the street will do. The ability to walk affects the egg production of chickens. In addition, marans are extremely active and mobile.
Dry air. Marans are sensitive to high humidity. To keep the air in the chicken coop dry, ventilation systems are used, as well as heating systems.
The heating system will also help with maintaining the optimum temperature. Ideally, if the thermometer does not fall below 15 degrees.
In winter, marans need artificial lighting. Light day for them should last 10-11 hours.
The diagnosis of well-being is also important. This is especially true in the spring, when many birds "fall to their feet." An abrupt change in behavior will be a reliable indicator of deteriorating bird health.

Maran gets along well both in open farm areas and in poultry farms. Extended daylight hours are necessary to maintain egg production levels in the winter.

What to feed

Egg production and livestock health depend on the quality of the diet. Maran's menu does not differ from the diet of other breeds of chickens. Thanks to a balanced diet, chickens quickly gain weight and remain active.

In addition to the quality of food, the quantity of food is also important. Especially overfeeding and underfeeding affect the well-being of laying hens.

If the chicken menu consists of compound feed, then the daily allowance (75 grams per individual) is divided into several meals and given throughout the day. It is advisable to diversify the diet with herbs and vegetables.

Complementary foods are allowed in the form of cabbage, herbs and chopped vegetables. The intensity of staining of the yolk depends on the percentage of greens in food.

In order for young animals to gain weight faster, the following ingredients are included in its diet:

Bone meal, chalk;
crushed shells;
Boiled fish fillet.

In addition, chickens are fed with limestone, peas, yeast, cereals and sunflower meal. The strength of the shell depends on the addition of salt to the menu.

To improve digestion, gravel and quartz sand are useful for birds. Pallets with such mixtures are placed in a place accessible to chickens.

If we evaluate the diet of birds in terms of macronutrients, then 70% of the diet comes from carbohydrates. The protein component is approximately 18%.

Laying hens that have reached maturity are transferred to more high-calorie feed. There are special compound feeds, the composition of which is ideal for poultry.

Chick incubation

Eggs are chosen dark and large, symmetrical. Their mass must be at least 60 grams.

Regarding the method of breeding chicks, there is no consensus. Chickens can be obtained both from the incubator and from under the layers. The second option is preferable, since such birds develop faster, which means that the chick is more likely to be able to break the shell from the inside. Hatching chicks are sometimes helped out of the shell.

A thick shell often interferes with the “breathing” of the fetus, so it is important to ventilate the room. The eggs are sprayed with water once a day to keep the environment moist. After the middle of the term, they are regularly turned over. This helps the chick not to dry out on the membranes inside the egg.

In quality conditions, young animals are born in groups. As a rule, this happens on the 21st day.

looking after chickens

Caring for "newborn" marans does not differ from the nuances of keeping young animals of other chicken breeds.

The first time the chickens spend in a box covered with a diaper. The temperature in the room is maintained at around +30. Gradually, the chicks are "hardened", lowering the temperature by 2 degrees per day.

When the young are a week old, they are taken out into the fresh air. The first walks last an hour and a half. Starting from two weeks, the chickens spend the whole day in the barn, returning to a warm room only at night. Complete relocation to the chicken coop is carried out with the onset of a month of age.

During the walk, the young must be observed. This situation lasts 2-3 months.

What to feed chickens

The menu of small marans in the first three days consists of yolk and dairy products. The yolk is boiled. From milk, cottage cheese is preferable. Feeding is carried out 12 times a day with equal intervals.

On the fourth day, gradually include crushed grain and corn porridge. The chicks are fed six times a day. It is important that they eat up the offered food.

On the sixth day, a small amount of crushed shell rock is added to the described menu. Ash can also be included.

Finely grated beets can be included only at the age of 1 month. A little earlier, chickens are transferred to four meals a day. In the same period, they are accustomed to greenery. Alfalfa scalded with boiling water and clover leaves will do.

Chicks begin to eat regular adult food at about three months. To improve digestion, a weak manganese solution is given to maran once every two weeks.

Whether to start a breed

Like any breed, the French chicken boasts both strengths and weaknesses.

Breed advantages:

Rooster activity;
Excellent taste of eggs and meat;
Endurance in bad weather conditions;
The immunity of chickens is strong and stable;
Aesthetic appearance of eggs and carcasses;
Large eggs with a reliable shell.

Walking is the key to health

There are practically no minuses in the breed. Farmers consider the need to be on duty at the incubator to help the chicks come out of the egg as the only tangible drawback.

Video - How chickens of the Maran breed are laid

You can learn about the productivity of the breed from the video:

Maran is a productive and hardy breed. Breeding it is no different from caring for other types of birds. Its products are highly valued and have a lot of advantages.

Modern poultry farmers breed a wide variety of breeds of chickens, and each of them always has its own unique characteristics. But among all this diversity, Maran stands out favorably - a breed of chickens, the description of which we will give below - because it is specific, and the specificity lies in the fact that these chickens carry ... "chocolate" eggs! What caused this phenomenon and what does it represent? Let's try to figure it out.

Maran chickens belong to egg-meat breeds, but excellent meat and high-quality eggs of a unique color are far from all the advantages of the bird described in the article. Chickens also have an excellent character, they are distinguished by their stamina and unpretentiousness. The last qualities of birds are especially important in domestic climatic conditions.

This rare and unusual breed was bred back in 1895 in France, more precisely, in the town of Marans. At the time of the demonstration of the breed, experts have not yet decided how the birds will be called. But soon the breed received a memorable and unusual name "Maran" (in honor of the locality where it was bred). After another 10 years, the chicken standard was officially approved.

As for the description of chickens, it should probably start with a gait - in this case it is really special: smooth, proud, almost “royal”, thanks to which the birds look independent and important. And you can personally verify this if you look at the photo and video materials.

The distinctive external features of Maran males include:

comb hanging to one side;
big earrings;
toes (they are covered with down in roosters);
large "collar" on the neck.

If we talk about colors, then it can be of several types. In most cases, representatives of this breed are black in color with a slight green-blue tint (like). But, which is characteristic, the beard and neck of males are abundantly covered with reddish feathers, but females do not have such an ornament, but there is a “necklace” of the same color on the neck.

Note! In addition, Marana chickens can be black and white and golden gray, while feathers of different colors are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, forming a special pattern (it is known as cuckoo).

The general plumage is dense, the color of the eyes is red-orange, the tail is not very long and stands at an angle of 45 ° C. There is also a light plumage from the outer part of the thigh. Birds have an elongated body of medium size, the weight of a chicken reaches 2-3 kg, the weight of a male is 3-4 kg. The eggs laid by the hens are quite large and dark brown in color (more on this later). In the first year of a bird's life, the weight of one egg is approximately 60 g, while in the future it can even reach 100 g.

Note! Another feature of chickens is that during molting, eggs can become lighter.

The paws of chickens are strong and well developed, with a clear separation of fingers. On the paws themselves, plumage as such is absent, but a small amount of fluff is present on the thumb.

What is the productivity of the breed?

We found out that representatives of this breed can hardly be considered small. All chickens are large enough, and they gain weight quickly. Due to the fact that Maran is an egg-meat breed, egg production in chickens is relatively high. So, one laying hen can produce from 150 to 160 eggs per year.

The eggs themselves, according to experts, are the safest. In addition, in France - the homeland of this breed - they are even consumed raw. So much high confidence is due to a very strong shell - its thickness reliably protects the contents from the penetration of viruses and various microorganisms.

Other features

The strong and thick shell mentioned above is an impenetrable barrier to harmful microorganisms, but at the same time a serious minus. It is difficult for chickens to overcome this obstacle when they are born.
If you cross the male Maran with representatives of other breeds, you can get the same "chocolate" eggs.
The plumage of chickens is bright and beautiful, besides, it, characteristically, does not change throughout the year.
Finally, the darker the eggs, the better they are. It is for this reason that poultry farmers try to provide the best conditions in order to get darker colored eggs accordingly.

Video - Marana chickens that lay Easter eggs

More about "chocolate" eggs

The color of the laying eggs of this breed, as we have already noted, is red-brown. And the more intense it (coloration), the better the product. There is even a special scale by which this indicator is measured, and in accordance with it, acceptable indicators are 4-5 points. However, to preserve the traits of the breed, as well as for incubation, it is recommended to use eggs in which this indicator is at least 6-7 points. The best representatives of the Maran breed give "9-point" eggs, the shell of which is dark, almost black.

What explains the color of the shell? This is a consequence of passing through the oviduct, which is proved quite simply: if you scratch the surface of the egg, then the traditional light shell opens. Due to the presence of such a pigment "shirt", in fact, the thickness of the shell increases.

Note! There is an opinion among poultry farmers that it is possible to allegedly influence the color of eggs if dark-colored foods are introduced into the diet. These are, first of all, beets, a decoction of onion peels, carrots and other vegetables that are distinguished by dark pigmentation.

In the homeland of chickens, competitions are often held where eggs are evaluated on such indicators as shape, shell color, brightness. By the way, another feature of these eggs is their regular oval shape, that is, it is not easy for them to determine where the blunt end is and where the sharp one is.

Laying eggs of the Maran breed are quite popular, mainly because of their color and large size. And thanks to the thick and durable shell, the transportation of eggs becomes safer, as well as storage.

How to keep and what to feed?

Although the Maran breed is distinguished by unpretentiousness and endurance, there are a number of rules that must be followed.

Chickens should be provided with a spacious aviary.
The temperature in the chicken coop should not fall below +15°C.
In the summer, birds should be provided with a sufficiently long range.
Finally, the duration of daylight hours in winter should be at least 10-11 hours.

Chickens tolerate cold climates well, but high humidity is categorically contraindicated for them. Representatives of the breed quickly develop and gain weight.

boiled fish;
fish or meat and bone meal;
grated vegetables;
shell rock.

Breeding features

With regard to Maran chickens, the breeding principle does not play a special role - you can use an incubator or leave eggs under laying hens. Although the second option is preferable, because the eggs will develop better. For breeding, it is recommended to use eggs of a rich dark color - chickens with pronounced signs of their breed will appear from these. If you make a choice in favor of the incubator, then "free" the chickens and ensure subsequent growth.

Important! To make it easier for "newborn" chicks to cope with thick shells, increase the humidity in the incubator to about 75% two to three days before expected hatching.

Master Class. Compact egg incubator

Store-bought incubators are usually expensive because they are designed more for breeding chickens on an industrial scale. And for a small farm, such a compact mini-incubator is perfect, which is easy and simple to make.

So, for work you will need:

foam box;
small capacity;
light bulb connector (with plug and cable);
furniture stapler (as an option - you can use a hammer);
duct tape;
honey;
old photo frame;
wooden bars;
fabric that is well breathable;
self-tapping screws / nails;
humidity/temperature sensor;
hacksaw.

After preparing everything you need, you can proceed directly to manufacturing.

Step one. First, the foam box is measured - you need to find out the width / length of the bottom.

step two. A frame is constructed from bars in accordance with the dimensions obtained. The finished frame should be slightly higher than the container that was prepared for water.

Step Three. The fabric is taken, laid out on a flat surface, and the finished frame is laid on top. The fabric is cut along the frame, but you should leave a margin for fastening.

Step Four. The fabric is attached to the frame with small nails or staples and a furniture stapler.

Step five. A hole is made in the wall of the box for the lamp holder. It should be located as high as possible so that the lamp does not come into contact with the fabric screen. As for the power of the light bulb, this parameter will depend on the size of the box. In our example, the dimensions are 25x30 cm, for such a box a lamp with a power of 10-40 watts is enough.

Step Six. The lamp holder is inserted into the hole, and it should sit as tightly as possible. The surface of the lamp must not come into contact with the foam. After that, the light bulb is screwed in and checked for operability.

step seven. Two ventilation holes are cut out in each wall, four more are made on the lid.

Step eight. Glass is removed from the photo frame. Then it is measured, and 5 mm are subtracted from the obtained dimensions. A rectangle of the same size is cut into the lid.

Step nine. Glass is fixed with adhesive tape.

Step ten. Now you can assemble the incubator. A container with water is placed at the bottom of the box, a frame with a fabric screen is laid, and sensors are attached. Then eggs are laid out on the screen, which are suitable for incubation. At the end, the incubator is covered with a lid.

The chicks should hatch in three weeks, but certain conditions must be maintained in the mini-incubator for this. The temperature should be in the range of 37.5-38.5°C. This is conveniently controlled by a thermostat that will turn off the lighting in case of excessive heating. To reduce the temperature in the box, it is recommended to make more holes that can be sealed when necessary.

What to feed chickens?

Chickens of the Maran breed, like adults, are unpretentious, and therefore there is nothing particularly difficult in feeding.

Table. Chicken feeding scheme.

Age, days	What to feed
0-3	Cottage cheese and boiled yolk. New portions should be added every two hours, not only during the day, but also at night.
3-5	Corn grits, millet (necessarily crushed). You need to feed five to six times a day, but you should give no more than the chickens can eat.
6-11	Grated shell, crushed eggshell and wood ash. From ten days of age, the number of feedings should be reduced to four.
From 11	Carrots, clover, alfalfa (chopped and scalded with boiling water). Before the age of one month, it is better not to give beets, because it has a laxative effect.

Note! Several times a week, you must additionally give a light pink solution of potassium permanganate.

You can also pour fine sand and gravel - so the food will be well rubbed. The introduction of an adult diet is allowed from the age of four months.

Video - Features of the withdrawal of maran

How to properly keep chickens

Traditionally, there is nothing complicated here. Hatchery chicks must first be placed in a box, after laying the bottom with a lint-free towel. The box should be closed with a iron grate, and a light bulb of such power should be installed on top so that the temperature inside is approximately + 30 ° C. It is important that the chicks do not freeze (if this happens, they huddle together). Every day the temperature should be lowered by 2 ° C.

From a week old, chickens can be taken out to fresh air, starting from a few hours. Chicks as young as two weeks old can stay in the barn all day, but they still need to be taken indoors at night. The final transfer to the barn is allowed from a month. Chicks should be supervised outdoors until they are two or three months old.

People who are accustomed to breeding will certainly be interested in learning about the features of such as maran, because in comparison with many of their relatives, they have some advantages, expressed both in egg production and in meat characteristics. Let's understand the intricacies of their description and pay attention to the required conditions of detention, which will ensure the greatest productivity.

Description and features of the breed

Each breed of animals and birds has its own individual characteristics, so that the breeder can choose the most suitable option for domestic animals. Maran chickens are no exception in this matter, because it is precisely because of their beautiful appearance and good productivity that they are loved by many farmers.

Origin

Marans were born thanks to the efforts of French breeders working in 1895 in the city of Maran. Considering that this is a very severe climatic region, this bird has already developed good resistance to various adverse factors from its very “birth”.

This strain was awarded a gold prize at the bird exhibition in 1914 (held in the city of La Rochelle), after which it was distributed throughout Europe. Nevertheless, in Ukraine and Russia, no one knew about these beautiful chickens for a long time, although it must be said that recently they have been increasingly found in domestic farmsteads.

External Data

When describing breeds of poultry, first of all, attention should be paid to its appearance and productivity, since these criteria play a major role in the selection process.
As for the description of maran, the following apply to them appearance characteristics:

these are medium or slightly larger than average chickens, whose roosters reach 4 kg, and the weight of laying hens is about 3 kg;
all representatives of the breed have beautiful orange-red eyes, a short tail (hanging at an angle of 45 °) and tight-fitting feathers;
the shape of the body is elongated, and the head is small;
roosters differ from laying hens in their increased plumage (in particular, in the neck area) and the presence of well-marked earrings;
the legs of the bird are of medium size, well separated four fingers are visible on them (their color varies from white to dark gray, depending on the color of the feathers);
the shoulders of chickens are high and wide, and the long neck is densely covered with feathers, which, due to their length, form a rather attractive “collar”;
have a yellow, slightly curved beak that looks quite strong and powerful.

Dwarf subspecies of this breed are also distinguished, which differ from ordinary birds only in size: in this case, the mass of representatives does not exceed one kilogram (for roosters) and 900 g for chickens.

As for the rest of the qualities, I immediately want to note the character traits of the maran, since they are very balanced and calm representatives of poultry, although they can be quite active on a wide range.

Productivity

Perhaps the described breed can be safely attributed to the meat and egg group, since they are bred to obtain both. One laying hen can carry about 150 eggs per year, and almost all of them have a chocolate color and have a strong shell (it was the color that gave rise to the name of these chickens "a bird that lays black eggs"). One egg weighs on average from 65 to 75 g and is distinguished by high palatability.

Did you know? According to breeders, the darker the shell of the egg, the tastier and better it is.

In truth, it is very imprudent to use maran only for getting meat, since their main value is still in large eggs. For the first time, chickens begin to lay eggs at the age of 5-6 months, but at this time the size of the eggs does not yet exceed 55-60 g and may not have a characteristic color. After a short amount of time everything goes back to normal.

Color options

The features of the breed allow you to simply admire this bird, since in addition to a well-built body, all representatives can boast of a wide color range of plumage. Among marans, individuals with black-copper, silver and white feathers are distinguished, although it is the first option that causes the most admiration.
The feathers of the black-copper representative of the breed (it is most common) are completely black on top, shimmer on the neck with a “golden necklace”, and in roosters, bright golden spots on the chest and reddish feathers on the back are also a distinctive feature.
Some marans were named "Golden Cuckoos". Their color really resembles a cuckoo, with alternating black and golden feathers. This color option is less common than the previous one and is especially appreciated by breeders.
The so-called wheat maran is also popular. In this case, roosters bright golden feathers stand out in the chest area and on the neck, and chickens are characterized by soft yellow plumage, although in some cases the color can also turn into golden-red, sometimes with a brown tint.
Pure white representatives of the breed are not so popular, since there is no interesting pattern on their feathers, although if you look at it, this circumstance does not affect performance.

An interesting option is "Colombian color": in addition to white feathers on the body, there is a black "necklace" on the neck.

Did you know? The formation of an egg in the body of a chicken takes about a day, and for its appearance, the presence of a rooster is not necessary.

How not to make a mistake when buying

When buying a maran, you can be sure that you are getting a bird with excellent performance, complemented by an attractive appearance, but the main thing is to choose the right chicks and avoid cheating.

Unfortunately, many poultry farmers, either out of ignorance or on purpose, often pass off as representatives of the breed of chickens that do not belong to it, and in adulthood they will definitely not have the required breed characteristics. From this follows the main rule of buying - go for a bird only to trusted breeders or farms, where you definitely will not be disappointed.
In addition, study the external data of Maran well in advance, because there are times when even an adult with a copper color is not always a true representative of the breed, but may only be the result of crossing with another hybrid species.

If you buy only eggs for further self-incubation, then select specimens of a rich brown color, since “bright” representatives of the breed most often appear from them.

Despite the fact that marans are different calm nature and a fairly peaceful attitude towards other representatives of the farmstead, they are very active, which is why they should be kept not only in a closed barn, but also regularly let out on a pasture or in a fenced range, but with the presence of grass.

An ideal option for keeping chickens of this breed would be a spacious and free aviary. With a long stay in the fresh air, their productivity increases, and they begin to rush much better.

If the room is located in a shaded area and the sun's rays rarely get inside, take care of good light mode(you can use ordinary LED lamps), which is simply necessary for the normal growth and development of the bird.
In winter, the chicken coop should be illuminated for at least 10-11 hours, then the performance of the bird will be at a high level. It is better that the barn has a wooden floor: although there is more trouble with it, it will be more comfortable for the bird.

On average, there should be about 4-5 chickens per 1 m² of the poultry house.

Feeding ration

Proper nutrition is an essential part of care, of course, if you want to get a healthy bird with good growth rates and high egg production. In the diet of representatives of the Maran breed, grain (preferably wheat) and chopped greens must be present, with the addition of special complexes.

Otherwise, this breed is not very demanding on food and its representatives can be fed the same food as other breeds. It is important to periodically mix shell rock and calcium into food, and sometimes you can pamper your wards with boiled fish or meat and bone meal.
Experts in the field of poultry breeding have long calculated the daily rate of feed for chickens. So, every day, laying hens need to consume feed that can provide them with energy in 300-320 kcal, and crude protein in such food should be at least 20 g. For a year, one chicken can eat 40 kg of concentrated feed and 15-20 kg of greenery, which is very important for its productivity.

It is also important to know what kind of grain should be given to chickens. As we have already mentioned, marans prefer wheat, although they can also be given corn, which is a source of carbohydrates, but also has 6% fat (to maximize the benefits of eating it is better to grind it).

At the same time, wheat allows you to supply birds with vitamins E and B, and with oats they get a lot of fiber, which is responsible for the growth of plumage. It is also good if 1/3 of the grain is introduced into the diet in sprouted form.

Important! One chicken per day should have at least 250 ml of water.

If you are a beginner poultry farmer, and it is still very difficult to navigate all the daily norms of various foods, then you can feed marans with ready-made compound feeds, in which the entire daily ration for laying hens is as balanced as possible.

So, in the standard version of this composition, there are 45% corn, 12% wheat, 7% barley and sunflower meal, as well as herbal, fish and meat and bone meal in an amount of about 4-5%. Included in the feed and shell rock, limestone (about 7%) and even table salt (0.3%).
As for shell rock and chalk, your bird should always have access to them. Otherwise, you should not expect too high egg production, and the appearance of chickens may deteriorate: due to a lack of calcium in the body, feathers often begin to fall out and the usually bright color fades.

In the absence of ready-made feeds, your task is to making up a diet so that six parts of it are grain, three parts are boiled and one part is various additives, for the role of which silage, sunflower cake, dairy products (in fermented form), nettles, etc. are excellent. The grain should be crushed, and the remaining components can simply be mixed with water.

Care and hygiene

In addition to feeding, the bird must also be properly cared for. It provides for timely cleaning and disinfection of the premises, treatment of livestock from worms and fleas, regular ventilation of the chicken coop and compliance with the light regime in it: in winter - at least two hours, and in summer - a little longer.

Also organize a “dust pool” for your pets in which they can clean their feathers. On average, litter cleaning (when keeping no more than 10 individuals per 5 m²) should be done once every few days, but with a larger number of hens, this procedure is performed more often.

Make sure that the temperature in the poultry house does not fall below +15 ºС.

Breeding chickens at home

The process of incubation of eggs begins with the selection of the most suitable specimens for this. It is desirable that they all be the same size and have a mass not less than 65 g.
To preserve hereditary qualities, it is better to give preference to the darkest ones, and even better to find out which chicken they are from: if possible, it is important to make sure that both parents have the necessary conformation qualities that fully comply with the breed standards.

When breeding Maran hens, the main problem of incubation is the dense shell membrane and thick shells on the eggs, due to which weakened chickens cannot cope with them to get out.

It is this circumstance that often leads to the death of chickens, and in order to avoid such negative consequences in the second half of incubation, the eggs must be provided with good ventilation (this action will help prevent chicks from suffocating from lack of oxygen). Regular turning of the eggs will help prevent the embryo from drying to the shell.

In the last days of the incubation period, it is necessary to carefully monitor the humidity of the air. This value should be at the level of 75%, for this it is useful to spray the masonry from a spray bottle once a day. To avoid overheating of future chicks, and at the same time to prevent the manifestation of such shortcomings as curvature of the fingers, experienced breeders recommend gradually lower the temperature starting from the sixteenth day of incubation. The decrease should be carried out daily by 0.2 °, so that by the time the young are born, it is at the level of 36.8-36.9 °.

Eggs of the maran breed, as, indeed, of many other breeds that are distinguished by large products, should be placed on their side, lying like this in a free position.

As soon as pecking is noticeable, it is necessary to ensure that there is no solid object in this place that impedes the emergence of the chick (the egg may lie pecking down or rest against a neighbor). You can try to help the kids in this difficult task by breaking the shell in a circle.
Subject to all the rules of home incubation (it is better if a special apparatus is used for these purposes), chickens of the Maran breed will see the world as early as 21 days after laying the eggs. Thank you for your opinion!

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