“Marans” is always spelled with an “s” at the end, both in the singular and the plural. And the “s” is always silent. It is pronounced “Maran” in both the singular and the plural.
Orignally developed in France
Mature weight between 3.5 to 4kg (Male), 2.6 to 3.2kg (Female)
Fast maturing – first eggs around 6-7 month
Large sized deep brown eggs, expected to lay around 180-200 eggs per year
Broodiness – Low
Maintenance – Low
English Cuckoo Marans is a charming and hardy heritage breed originally developed in France and refined in England. Well-known for its striking barred plumage and rich, chocolate-brown eggs, this breed is both practical and beautiful, making it a favourite among backyard keepers and small farms alike. English Cuckoo Marans has soft, barred plumage in shades of grey and black that resemble the pattern of a cuckoo bird — hence the name. They feature a neat, rounded body with a single comb, red wattles, and bright orange eyes that give them a lively appearance. One distinctive characteristic of the English Cuckoo Marans is their clean, feather-free legs, which set them apart from other Marans varieties that typically have feathered legs. Known for their calm and friendly nature, these birds are generally easy to handle, making them a wonderful choice for families or beginner poultry keepers. While not overly cuddly, they are docile and tend to get along well within mixed flocks. English Cuckoo Marans are robust and adaptable, thriving in a variety of climates. Their dense feathering helps them handle cold and wet conditions with ease. They are active foragers and do well in free-range environments, though they also adapt comfortably to smaller backyard setups if given room to roam and scratch. Our English Cuckoo Marans breeding group was established from fertile eggs sourced from breeders who obtained their stock directly from Avgen Poultry. Our goal is to produce quality dual-purpose Cuckoo Marans with excellent egg colour while preserving the integrity of the original imported bloodline. Please see Marans – Open Poultry Standard Australia for more info and breed standards
English Cuckoo Marans Chicks
English Cuckoo Marans chicks hatch with black-based colouring and a white chest. They are clean-legged with a single comb.
Chicks can often be sexed at hatch with reasonable accuracy based on the markings on their heads.
