French Copper Blue Marans History
The French Copper Blue Marans is always spelled in the plural and pronounced Ma-Ron. It was developed during the 1920’s near the French town of Marans. Marans is north of La Rochelle in Poitou Charente, France. The original French Copper Blue Marans had lightly feathered legs, which is something that can still be seen in French birds. Many strains of Copper Blue Marans still have reasonable amounts of feathering on the legs and are often referred to as ‘French Marans’ because of this. UK Marans tend to have clean shanks so are not called “French”.
The British Poultry Standards lists feathered shanks as a serious defect. As with many utility type breeds around this time, there was great pressure to export the Marans before the type was properly fixed. This took a long time due to the number of breeds that were used to create it. The original French Marans birds were producing many variations from the standard type. When it was brought to England in 1929, the type was fixed. By the mid 1930’s, the first Cuckoo Marans entered the British Poultry Standards.
The Marans are thought to be made up from quite a number of very old breeds: Barred Plymouth Rock, Coucou de Malines, Croad Langshan, and Faverolles but also some Rennes. Rennes this is a place in Brittany and thought to be a cuckoo breed. Gatinaise and possibly Brakel are although thought to be in the breeding line depending on who you speak to.
Breed Description
There are a few different colour variations of Marans and this one is Copper Blue. It is a broadly blue bird with faint black lacing on the body feathers and copper coloured feathers around the neck.
Breed Temperament
In common with all Marans, the French Copper Blue Marans is a mostly calm bird with a nice temperament. They mix well with other birds as a rule.
Eggs
The eggs of the Marans are a rich deep reddish brown. They are a steady layer but not prolific.
Availability
The Copper Blue are not currently available at Hedgerow Henporium
Further Information
If you feel you would like to become more experienced in chicken care then please consider one of our courses
