Black Copper Marans
Dual purposeFranceBeginner friendly
From the port town of Marans on France's Atlantic coast comes the breed that lays the darkest eggs in the chicken world — deep chocolate-brown shells that stop people mid-sentence. The birds themselves are calm and understated, black with copper hackles and lightly feathered legs.
Eggs per year
150–200
Egg color
Chocolate brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6–7 lbs
Temperament
Gentle and quiet
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
In Ian Fleming's novels, James Bond insists on his breakfast egg coming from a French Marans hen.
Black Copper Marans egg production
Expect roughly 150–200 chocolate brown eggs a year from a Black Copper Marans in her prime — about 3–4 a week, or 13–17 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Black Copper Marans is generally described as gentle and quiet. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Black Copper Marans rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It can struggle in extreme heat, so prioritise deep shade, ventilation, and cool water through the hottest part of summer.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Black Copper Maranshen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Black Copper Marans hen is a large bird at 6–7 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Black Copper Marans right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You'd like chocolate brown eggs in the basket
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
Think twice if…
- You're in an extreme-heat climate
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Black Copper Marans FAQ
- How many eggs do Black Copper Marans chickens lay?
- A healthy Black Copper Marans hen lays about 150–200 chocolate brown eggs a year — roughly 3–4 a week, or 13–17 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Black Copper Maranss lay?
- Black Copper Maranss lay chocolate brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do Black Copper Marans chickens get?
- A Black Copper Marans hen weighs roughly 6–7 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Black Copper Maranss cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Black Copper Marans is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Black Copper Maranss good for beginners?
- Yes. The Black Copper Marans is a forgiving, gentle and quiet breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Black Copper Marans hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Black Copper Marans hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
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