Maran chicken eggs are a gourmet item sought after by European chefs.
Wheaten Marans chickens are a color variation of Marans chickens, a French breed formally established in the early 1900s. Rare in North America, interest in the breed has exploded in recent years, leading to the formation of the Marans Chicken Club USA in 2008. Marans are considered dual-purpose chickens, bred for both eggs and meat, but they are mostly prized for their eggs. Marans chickens have the distinction of laying the darkest colored eggs of any breed. The shells are a rich, dark brown color. The darker the shell, the more desirable the egg. According to the Marans Club UK, Marans also have the distinction of laying "James Bond's favorite egg."
Breed Standard
The Wheaten rooster has a single bright red comb, an orange head and neck and a black breast with a greenish hue. The back, saddle and rump are mahogany. The tail is black with a green or purple hue. The hen has a red head and hackle, a wheat-colored body, a cream-colored breast and black and red tail feathers. Wheaten Marans hens are typically docile, easy to handle and inquisitive. The roosters are typically calm and friendly.
Eggs
To be considered a Marans chicken, the hen must lay eggs that are at least a number four on the Marans Egg Color Scale at some point in its laying career. Number four eggs are approximately the color of unglazed terra cotta. In contrast, the typical "brown" grocery store eggs rate a two on the scale. A nine on the scale is a dark chocolate brown.
The coloring comes from a pigmented mucous secreted by the hen's oviduct, or uterus, just before the egg is laid. Ideally, the pigment is evenly distributed over the shell, but many eggs have dark specks. Marans eggs also tend to be more spherical in shape than most chicken eggs; they are also glossy. They have a thicker shell than most eggs, reducing the risk of breakage during transport.
Productivity
Wheaten Marans are moderate producers, laying an average of three to five eggs per week. Younger hens tend to lay darker eggs than older hens, and eggs tend to be darker at the beginning of a laying cycle. Hens with higher production rates tend to lay lighter eggs.
Care of Wheaten Marans
Because the colored mucous coating is wet when the egg is laid, it can be smudged or wiped off before it dries. Nests should be lined with a soft bedding to prevent scratches in the eggs. Viral diseases, parasites, environmental stress, poor sanitation and poor nutrition can cause loss of egg pigment. This breed adjusts well to confinement and can tolerate most climates.
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