Wheaten Maran

[seattleelvis]

I recently obtained a 10 week old Wheaten Maran pullet. I'm told this breed is somewhat rare. Any background on the breed or things I should look for with her?

Thank you.

 

[drom]

Well, they are definitely more rare than the Cuckoos or Black Coppers. But they are exceptionally beautiful birds. And, all the Marans varieties that exist in this country are relatively rare with the exception of the standard Cuckoo variety; which is the only variety that can be purchased from the big commercial hatcheries. All others can only be obtained from private breeders. If there was no ban on Imports, this certainly would not be the case, but because of it, the US is cut off from the stock in Europe where most of the bloodlines and varieties exist.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

They like to eat. My wheaten Marans love for me to fill their feeder, even if they still have some. They hate the pelleted grains and eat the hound out of whole grains. They will eat canned cat food as a treat and canned mackerel.
The hens can be a bit skittish but my roo is very nice.

 

[Katy]

Mine are sweet birds, not as calm as some of my other breeds, but not flighty either. Even tho I love my old cuckoos, I think the Wheatens are the prettiest of the Marans.

 

[Krys109uk]

http://marans-club.club.fr/froang.htm#FRO

 

[Selena]

Quick question: where'd you get her?!?! I've got 3 roos and am wanting a few hens but they're not very common around here. LOL.

Here's what the person I got my eggs from said on her site: "Wheaten Marans originated in western France in the town of Marans and are best known for their dark brown colored eggs. They are a fast grower, dual meat and egg birds and stand confinement well.. The original French birds had feathered legs..."

and

"Roosters average 8 lbs. Hens average 7 lbs....This beautiful breed is calm, quiet and gentle...."

and

"Wheaten Marans are so gentle and sociable.....These rare beauties are among our most favorite birds...Wheaten Marans hens are equally as stunning as the roosters"

From http://gabbardhatchingeggs.com/custom/shop.html

 

[stormylady]

Doesn't My pet chicken sell wheaton Marans? I thought they had a picture maybe it was just the hatching eggs.

 

[berkeleysprings]

i have had them almost 6 years abd beeen working with them . very nice. will eat out of my hand but womt let me picj them up. iv hatched hundreds. they can be broody also. word of cauton they hate new birds in flock. and also kill and eat chicks... they are great free rangers