Taking its name from the French town of Marans, Cuckoo Marans are known for their rich chocolate brown eggs. The breed was originally classified as feather legged but a clean-legged variety was developed in England by crossing with French Cuckoo and Barred Rock chickens. Resembling the Barred Plymouth Rock Chicken, the Cuckoo Marans sport a barred plumage of black and white bands. The plumage of male Cuckoo Marans is slightly lighter than that of the female. They have a refined head with large and prominent eyes and a red, single, medium-sized comb with 5 to 7 serrations. With a medium length body, they carry their tail high and have clean, non-feathered, and white shanks. Cuckoo Marans chicks are primarily black with a white spot on their head. The front of their neck, wing tips, and abdomen are white. Cuckoo Marans Chickens are a rare breed whose eggs are the main reason many buyers decide to purchase.
