Sweetwater Cuckoo Marans
| The Marans originated in western France in the town of Marans. Best known for dark chocolate colored eggs, they are also superior meat birds. Marans are fast growers and do well in damp areas, having been developed in a marshy area of France. Marans are a very popular breed in Europe but have not been recognized (yet) by the American Poultry Association (APA). The French standard calls for birds with feathered legs. This characteristic has been bred out of the British and many American lines. I have Samuel, a clean legged rooster from the Fitch line of Cuckoo Marans. His 5 ladies are feather legged (one Bill Braden hen and 4 Kelly Cratty line. I expect to have very dark eggs available this spring. Marans are among my favorite breeds. They are everything you'd look for in a chicken. The roos are large boned, regal, protective of their hens, and very gentle. email me sweeth2o1@gmail.com |
Kelly Cratty Cuckoo hen with feathered shanks
| Above, Marans eggs in the incubator with Silkie and Ameraucanas eggs. Below, shells from a recent hatch |
| Here is Samuel in November 2007. He is about 6 months old now. |
| Jackie, a young hen on her nest. She is from Bill Braden stock and has feathered shanks. |
| Meet Samuel (above). This little fellow is about a month old. He is from eggs from Iona McCormick. Iona has been working on the Fitch line of Marans for about 8 years. Jim in Central CA generously donated him and Angi Harrover kindly transported him to me. |
