Marans (always spelled with an “s,” whether referring to one bird or many) are a distinguished dual-purpose breed from France. They trace their roots to the port town of Marans in the Poitou-Charentes region of western France, where seafarers in the 1800s left behind an assortment of chickens that eventually formed the foundation of the breed. Originally bred as fighting cocks, chance matings gave rise to a bird better suited for the barnyard, these birds were originally known as the Marandaise fowl. Over time, the Marans were further refined through the influence of Croad Langshan, Brahma, Coucou de Malines, Coucou de Rennes, and Gatinaise chickens, shaping the foundation of the breed we recognize today.

In France, the Marans quickly gained a reputation for their rich, dark red eggs, though their plumage remained quite varied and inconsistent. In the early 1920s, poultry enthusiast Mrs. Rousseau set out to standardize the Marans’ varied plumage, leading to the creation of the Cuckoo Marans. By the early 1930s, six varieties had been formally recognized: silver cuckoo, white, black, black copper, ermine, golden cuckoo, and red. However, in post-war France of the mid-1940s, the breed was nearly lost. To rescue it, the French Department of Agriculture launched breeding programs aimed at preservation and increased egg production. These efforts succeeded, and by 1952, Marans were laying around 200 eggs per year. When the official programs ended, dedicated amateur breeders took up the cause, successfully maintaining and improving the breed. From France, Marans spread to England and eventually to America, where in 2011 the Black Copper Marans earned acceptance into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection.

White Marans were developed in France during the 1960s as a commercial meat bird, but they were soon overshadowed by fast-growing industrial broilers. Despite this, they remain a favorite of gourmet chefs and are recognized on the Slow Food Foundation’s “Ark of Taste” catalog. In 2014, the White Marans were officially accepted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection.

White Marans are striking birds, entirely covered in pristine, snowy white feathers that give them a clean and elegant appearance. Both males and females have pinkish-white legs, and a creamy-white beak, adding to their refined look. They have the characteristic Marans build: strong, broad chests, full tails, red earlobes and an upright single comb. Their uniform coloration and classic Marans structure make them a visually impressive addition to any flock.

Temperamentally, White Marans are similar to the black copper variety, exhibiting calm, friendly, and curious personalities. Hens are consistently broody, making them reliable mothers, while roosters tend to be a bit easier to integrate with other males than the black copper variety and are generally not aggressive toward people. Like other Marans, they enjoy free-ranging and foraging but aren’t particularly flighty, making them a pleasure to keep in a backyard or small farm setting. We’ve found that a rooster-to-hen ratio of 1:10 works best for the Marans. 

White Marans share the same strong, well-proportioned frame as the Black Copper variety, with their striking pure white plumage being the most distinguishing feature. Roosters may occasionally show straw-colored highlights from sun exposure. This variety is defined by red earlobes, pinkish-white feathered legs, and, of course, their all-white feathers. For a more detailed look at the White Marans breed standard, visit the links below!

https://maranschickenclubusa.com/white

White (Approved) | The Marans Club

We incubate at 99.5°F and 55% humidity, and typically achieve a 75–85% hatch rate from the Marans. Hatching eggs from this breed can present some challenges. The deep pigmentation of Marans eggs makes it difficult to see the developing embryo during candling. Their shells also tend to be thicker than those of other breeds, which can slightly delay hatch times or cause some chicks to struggle when pipping. We recommend keeping your eggs in the incubator through day 22 or 23 to allow every chick time to hatch!

When hatching eggs from this breed, it’s important to pay close attention to leg feather quality. Occasionally, some chicks may hatch without fully feathered legs; these individuals should not be kept for future breeding. Any chicks displaying crooked toes or fused toes (this is less common in the Marans) should likewise be excluded from breeding programs. The merits of each bird should be evaluated as they reach adulthood.

Because our White Marans flock is small, chicks and eggs are available in limited quantities.

Import Notes

Greenfire Farms imported the White Marans for the first time in 2016.