What color eggs do Black Copper Marans lay?

Very dark reddish-brown eggs, according to UW–Madison Extension. Poultry Extension calls them dark, chocolate-colored shells, and Oklahoma State says the Black Copper has some of the darkest coloring of any Marans variety.

How many eggs does a Black Copper Marans lay?

Oklahoma State says Marans lay about three large eggs a week. Ohio State rates the eggs extra large.

Are Marans good for beginners or friendly with kids?

They're easy keepers but not cuddly. Oklahoma State says Marans deal with confinement well but are not especially docile. If a lap chicken matters most, a Buff Orpington or Cochin is a better fit.

Are Marans cold hardy?

Yes. Oklahoma State lists winter hardiness among the breed's traits.

Do Marans have feathered feet?

The type the American Poultry Association recognizes, the French type, has lightly feathered shanks and toes. UW–Madison notes an English type with clean legs also came to the US, but at shows a lack of leg feathering is a disqualification.

Black Copper Marans

Q: Do Marans go broody?

They can. Oklahoma State says Marans exhibit brooding behavior well.

The chocolate-egg chicken: famous for very dark reddish-brown eggs, from the marshes of western France.

Black Copper Marans hen — Photo: Uikitireza, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped

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Black Copper Marans at a glance

Medium, dual-purpose

Status: APA breed, Continental class (large fowl only). Black Copper is a recognized variety.[1][2]
Origin: From the marshy Atlantic coast of France, named after the port town of Marans.[2][3]
Egg color: Very dark reddish brown, often called chocolate[2][4][3]
Eggs per year: About three large eggs a week[3]
Egg size: Large to extra large[5][3]
Weight: Standard 8 lb rooster, 6.5 lb hen.[2]
Bantam: No bantam on the APA list.[1]
Temperament: Handles confinement well but is not especially docile.[3]
Broodiness: Shows good brooding behavior.[3]
Cold: Winter-hardy.[3]
Varieties: APA: Black, Black Copper, Wheaten and White[1]
Conservation: Not on the Livestock Conservancy's priority list.[6]
How to spot one: Single comb and white skin. The APA (French) type has lightly feathered shanks and toes; a clean leg is a show disqualification.[2][3]

Facts no source backs up are left out. Updated October 26, 2026 (how we check).

Black Copper Marans eggs — Photo: Thomon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped

Marans are the chocolate-egg chickens. Drop one of their deep reddish-brown eggs into a carton and everything else looks pale next to it. The Black Copper is the best-known variety, and according to Oklahoma State it lays some of the darkest eggs of all.

From the French coast

UW–Madison Extension says Marans "originated in France along the marshy areas along the Atlantic coast," and the breed is named after the port town of Marans. The American Poultry Association recognizes it in the Continental class, as large fowl only, in Black, Black Copper, Wheaten and White.

Oklahoma State notes many other varieties exist outside the APA list.

Eggs: why people keep them

UW–Madison describes the eggshell as "very dark reddish brown," and Poultry Extension calls it "dark, chocolate-colored." Oklahoma State says the Black Copper (and, less so, the Silver Cuckoo) have the darkest coloring and are the most valued. Ohio State rates the eggs extra large.

How many? Oklahoma State says Marans lay about three large eggs a week. That's a modest, steady supply of the prettiest eggs in the coop.

Count them in our Egg Log, and time your pullets' first egg with the Laying Calculator.

Temperament

Oklahoma State says Marans "deal with confinement well, and are not especially docile." They're practical farm birds rather than lap chickens.

Broodiness and hardiness

Oklahoma State says Marans "exhibit brooding behavior well" and lists winter hardiness among their traits. None of our sources rate their heat tolerance, so give them the shade and fresh water every flock needs in summer.

Size

The standard weight is 8 lb for a rooster and 6.5 lb for a hen (UW–Madison), and Oklahoma State describes a large, heavy bird of about 7 to 8 lb. There's no bantam Marans on the APA list. UW–Madison describes Marans as medium-sized birds with "a rugged farm bird appearance."

Feathered legs: French vs. English type

UW–Madison explains that two types of Marans came to the US. The French type, which the APA recognizes, has lightly feathered shanks and toes. The "English" type has a clean leg. For exhibition, a lack of feathering on the leg is a disqualification.

How to recognize a Black Copper Marans

Look for a single comb (Oklahoma State), white skin (UW–Madison) and, in French-type birds, lightly feathered shanks and toes. The real proof is in the nest box: a very dark reddish-brown egg.

Is a Black Copper Marans right for you?

Choose Black Copper Marans if you want the darkest eggs in the neighborhood and a hardy, practical bird. For a friendlier temperament, pair them with a few Buff Orpingtons. For blue and green eggs to go with the chocolate, add an Easter Egger.

See every shade from white to chocolate on our free Egg Color Chart printable.