French Black Copper Maran — Day-Old Chicks
French Black Copper Maran — Day-Old Chicks
NPIP Certified Hatchery - License #51-770
- 150–200 Eggs/Year
- Large Dark Chocolate Eggs
- 24–26 Weeks to Lay
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📦 Learn how we carefully pack and ship your chicks →
If you've ever cracked open a dark chocolate-brown egg and wondered where it came from — it was probably a Maran. French Black Copper Marans are the crown jewel of the egg basket, laying some of the deepest, richest-colored eggs of any breed in the world.
Why backyard keepers love them:
- 🥚 150–200 dark chocolate eggs per year — the darkest of any laying breed
- 🪶 Stunning copper and black plumage — as beautiful in the yard as they are productive
- 🌿 Hardy and self-sufficient — excellent foragers that thrive in free-range environments
- 🐓 Calm temperament — friendly enough for families, independent enough to manage themselves
What to expect from Chesapeake Hatchery chicks:
Our Marans are sourced from carefully selected breeding stock for true-to-breed egg color and conformation. Marek's Disease vaccination is optional and is not included in the chick price. Select the vaccination add-on when ordering if you would like your chicks vaccinated. Chicks ship as straight-run unless otherwise noted. They're packed with care and backed by our live arrival guarantee.
Weeks to first egg: 24–26 weeks
Egg size: Large
Egg color: Dark chocolate brown
Reserve your spot for the next available hatch — Maran chicks sell out fast.
Breed specifications
Breed specifications
Production
Hens lay approximately 150–200 large dark chocolate eggs per year. Actual output varies.
Maturity
Typically begins laying at 24–26 weeks. Timing varies by individual bird and growing conditions.
Temperament
Calm and independent.
Appearance
Copper and black plumage.
Adaptability
Hardy, self-sufficient foragers.
Chick care overview
Chick care overview
Brooder temperature: Start at 95°F for the first week, reducing by 5°F each week until fully feathered.
Food & water: Offer chick starter feed and fresh water immediately. Dip each chick's beak gently into the water on arrival to encourage drinking.
Hydration boost: We include hydration supplements in your shipment — add to water for the first 24–48 hours to help chicks recover from transit.
Space: Allow at least 0.5 sq ft per chick in the brooder for the first few weeks.
Watch for: Huddling under the heat source (too cold), panting or moving away from heat (too warm). Active, spread-out chicks are happy chicks.
For detailed care guides, visit our FAQs.
Shipping
Shipping
Your chicks ship in a USPS-approved live animal box designed specifically for safe poultry transport, complete with soft bedding, temperature control packing, and hydration supplements for the journey.
We take immeasurable care in every shipment — each box is packed with your flock's safe arrival as our top priority.
We ship USPS Priority Express only — the fastest available service, with live animal handling and typically overnight delivery.
LIVE CHICK SHIPPING
6–14 chicks — $44.95
15–25 chicks — $39.95 — BEST VALUE
26–50 chicks — $79.95
51–100 chicks — $99.95
Minimum shipped order: 6 chicks • Mix & match breeds
Order 15–25 chicks and receive our lowest live-chick shipping rate.
Local Pickup — Wednesdays in Maryland
No shipping fee · No minimum order
Live Arrival Guarantee
We stand behind every shipment. In the rare event that any chicks do not survive transit, you will receive a full refund for those chicks.
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