French Black Copper Marans — Hatching Eggs
French Black Copper Marans — Hatching EggsNPIP Certified Hatchery - License #51-770
- 150–200 Eggs/Year
- Large Dark Chocolate Eggs
- 24–26 Weeks to Lay
- Minimum 6 eggs per shipped order. Mix any breeds.
- Shipping: $19.99 for 6–23 eggs · FREE on 24+ eggs
- Free local pickup in Preston, MD
Checking ship weeks…
See other ship weeks
📦 Learn how we carefully pack and ship your hatching eggs →
Hatch the darkest eggs in the world. French Black Copper Maran hatching eggs are the crown jewel of any incubator — deep, rich chocolate-brown shells that are as beautiful to look at as the birds that will hatch from them. Our eggs come from imported French bloodlines selected specifically for maximum egg color depth.
What's included:
- 🥚 Fresh deep chocolate-brown eggs from French Black Copper Maran breeding stock with strong color genetics
- 🪶 Imported French bloodlines — selected for true-to-breed egg color, conformation, and copper hackle markings
- 📦 Carefully packed for transit — individually wrapped and cushioned to maximize hatch rates
Breed highlights:
- 150–200 dark chocolate eggs/year at maturity — the darkest of any laying breed
- Stunning copper and black plumage — beautiful birds inside and out
- Hardy, calm foragers — thrive in free-range environments
Incubation tips: Maran eggs incubate at 99.5°F with 45–55% humidity for 21 days. Candle at day 7 and 14 — note that the dark shell can make candling more difficult; use a bright candler. Increase humidity to 65–70% at lockdown (day 18).
Important: Hatching eggs are a living product. Hatch rates vary based on incubator conditions, shipping handling, and natural fertility. Egg color intensity in offspring is influenced by genetics and can vary — we select breeders with the darkest egg color available.
Common questions about French Black Copper Marans hatching eggs
What will French Black Copper Marans chicks grow into?
French Black Copper Marans hens lay large dark chocolate eggs, about 150–200 a year. Expect birds that are calm and independent.
Can I choose hens or roosters?
No. Hatching eggs can't be sexed, so expect a natural mix of males and females.
What incubator settings should I use?
Hold 99.5°F and 45–55% humidity, and candle at days 7 and 14. At day 18, stop turning (lockdown) and raise humidity to 65–70%. Chicks usually hatch around day 21.
Should I let shipped eggs rest before incubating?
Yes. Let them rest at least 12 hours at room temperature so the air cells can settle after shipping.
Are hatch rates guaranteed?
We guarantee your eggs arrive unbroken. Please report any breakage when they arrive. Hatch rates can't be guaranteed because shipping, incubator accuracy and incubation practices all affect results.
When do hatching eggs ship?
Every Tuesday by USPS Priority Mail (usually 2–3 days). You choose your ship week on this page or in your cart, and free local pickup is also available.
Pairs well with:
- Cream Legbar hatching eggs: blue eggs next to your chocolate ones
- BBS Ameraucana hatching eggs: true blue eggs for a colorful egg basket
The darkest eggs you can hatch — order before the next collection date.
Breed specifications
Breed specifications
Production
Maturity
Temperament
Appearance
Adaptability
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.
Day-old chicks ship by USPS Priority Mail with live-animal handling, the same day they hatch. Most orders reach your local post office in 1–2 days; some rural areas take up to 3. Started pullets ship by USPS Priority Mail Express, as USPS requires for older birds.
LIVE CHICK SHIPPING
USPS Priority Mail:
6–25 chicks — $34.95
26–50 chicks — $49.95
51–100 chicks — $59.95
Optional Priority Mail Express at checkout: $69.95 for 6–14 chicks, $74.95 for 15–25, $79.95 for 26–50, $99.95 for 51–100.
Shipping farther than a day's drive from Maryland, such as south of the Carolinas or west of Ohio? We recommend Priority Mail Express. Express chicks are loaded first and usually arrive sooner, but USPS does not guarantee delivery times for live animals.
Ordering more than 100 chicks? Call us at (410) 635-1970.
Minimum shipped order: 6 chicks • Mix & match breeds
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.
