Phosphorus Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 To those of you who have Marans (thinking of Maran Coucou or the Cuivre) - what are they like temperament wise? I am new to all this, no chickens as yet, but fancy a Maran for the looks and the egg colour. Would they be a nightmare for a beginner? Thanks Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I dont have either of the above marans but i have a cuckoo. She's my best layer - very reliable and lovely dark brown eggs. Not a problem for a beginner, shes a busy little hen, always scratching around, on the go, greedy and inquisitive. Marans can be very active if they are given room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I have an English/Cuckoo Maran, who is supposed to lay dark brown eggs. I posted a couple of days ago that her eggs were getting lighter Lo and behold, today a dark egg She is a lovely hen, if a tiny bit flighty. More down to my lack of taming her than anything else I think. She is sweet natured and I have had no trouble with her at all. She has had 1 day off egg laying since I got her in November Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I've got a Maran Cuivre and while she's a great looker and lays a chestnut brown egg almost every day she's no great shakes in the personality department. Bit of a follower rather than a leader, I'm afraid! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I have 2 French Wheaten Marans - very pretty colours, very friendly and lay lovely dark eggs (see my post in 'eggs' 11 eggs today, to see the colour). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bouncy Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 We havbe 2 marans they are great girls and love being around us they are getting used to being picked up and give lovely dark brown eggd weighing in at about 50 gms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 She has had 1 day off egg laying since I got her in November Blimey - that's impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazela Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 we have a speckeldy/cuckoo and a cuvire. Our speckledy/cuckoo is the youngest of the bunch and a bit of a loner - doesn't like us getting too close and tends to be one her own more. Our cuvire is the one we weren't going to have - but she was so pretty that I sort of distracted hubby and had her put in the box too! She is top bird in the eglu and is the one who is happiest to be cuddled. No eggs from any of the girls yet so can't comment on the colour or size, although if the "ear colour" comment on the egg forum is anything to go by we should have dark brown eggs from the cuvire and lighter ones from our cuckoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 11, 2008 Author Share Posted March 11, 2008 Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I will definately get a Maran - it sounds like it very much depends on the hen herself (which I had thought anyway) - think I will ignore the breeder a bit and just go for it. Just need cube and run....... come on Omlet and OH.... Can't wait to get chooks Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 11, 2008 Author Share Posted March 11, 2008 Wow feemcg - just looked at your egg post. I love the dark brown eggs - I definately am getting a Maran Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 I have French Maran - not a Wheaten like Fee,but a standard one. Her eggs are only a tiny bit darker than my standard egg layers,which is a bit disappointing as I yearn for those deep brown eggs. She is a very sweet hen - nice & placid. I want a Wheaten Maran this year - so if anyone here knows where I can get them in the South East,do let me know - the only place I have found them so far is Scotland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Cinnamon, I have found breeders listed in Northamptonshire and Somerset that are advertising wheaten marans on this website http://www.countrysmallholding.com/Editorial.aspx?page=3249 A bit closer than Scotland but maybe still a bit far for you Amanda correction: Perfect Poultry, Ligh"Ooops, word censored!"er have them listed on their site and they are only about an hour from you http://www.perfectpoultry.co.uk/Chickens%20bantams%20and%20eggs.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 I have a Suffolk Noir, which is, I believe, another name for the Maran Cuivre. She lays lovely chestnut brown eggs and is my most reliable layer. She's not the friendliest of my girls, but has the softest feathers and does quite like being stroked, once you've managed to catch her! This is the only decent pic I have of her, and she does look a bit evil in it. I got her from http://www.warwickshirerarebreedfarm.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Cinnamon, I have found breeders listed in Northamptonshire and Somerset that are advertising wheaten marans on this website Thanks for that - I feel a day trip coming on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
