Black Copper Marans - Chicks

Pre-Orders Open December 1 
 
Local Pick-Up Only (Monterey to San Diego, CA)
 
Bring the very best of France to your flock with our Black Copper Marans chicks, sourced from multi-national and international champion bloodlines across the US and France. These birds have been carefully selected for exceptional conformation, health and vigor, temperament, and egg color – all in alignment with the Standard of Perfection (SOP) for our SOP Line. All chicks are sold straight run with a 50/50 chance of males v. females, and will include their hatched egg shells for your reference.
 
Our method of breeding is via clan breeding otherwise known as line breeding. We maintain two lines of Black Copper Marans: Our Dark Egg line with eggs consistently ranging from 7 to 9, and an SOP line. This season’s SOP line will focus on outstanding conformation males and high-copper females. The Colonel is currently over our high copper line, and hatched from a highly-speckled 8 egg on the Marans chart. Major is over our Dark Line, and hatched from a 9 egg on the Marans chart. 
 
Both lines produce rich, dark eggs, with the SOP line on a less intense scale as our dark line. We will be offering chicks from both lines as a breeder's choice. This means you will get chicks from either or both lines depending on the hatch. All chicks are sold straight run, with a 50/50 chance of males and females. 
 
What Sets Our Birds Apart:
Direct lineage from show-winning birds in both the U.S. and France (new import in 2025 exclusive to Little Chicken Farms)
Deep, rich egg color typically ranging from 5 to 9 on the Marans scale (SOP+Dark Line), many with heavy purple blooms and speckles - *please note - we have yet to see a 9 from this season's SOP line-up, but their offspring may surprise you - versus the majority of our Dark Line that have laid at least one 9 in their first laying cycle and lay a 7 or better consistently.
Our SOP line has been bred for correct copper hackle, feathered shanks, and true breed type, with particular emphasis this season on copper-headed females, whereas our Dark Line has been bred almost exclusively for egg color. 
Temperament is paramount. We do not compromise the docility of our birds just for their beauty. We see these as one and the same. Our birds are loving, affectionate, and for the most part, even the roosters live peacefully together. We do not compromise on this genetic necessity. 
Raised on an NPIP-clean, organic farm focused on health, vitality, and the highest standards for our birds' quality of life.
 
Whether you're building your own breeding program or just want to enjoy some of the darkest, most luxurious eggs nature can offer, these chicks are as close to perfection as it gets.
 
Availability & Hatching Details
Availability is limited to March 15 – May 31 on a pre-order basis only. We do not hatch chicks unless there is demand. Local Pick-Up Only.
 
Our lines were chosen from the following original breeders, to whom we thank for their tireless work to perfect this beautiful breed:
 
SOP Line:
Exclusive 2025 Import of multi-year-winning, French National Champion lines**
Frank May
HB Marans (Holly Williams)
High Garden Chickens (David Uribe)
Wrather Farms
 
Dark Egg Line:
HB Marans (Holly Williams)
High Garden Chickens (David Uribe)
Open Gate Farms
Sage Acre Farms
Wrather Farms
 
**Please note: Because we include French lines direct from France, you may see small deviations from the APA standards in some of your birds, such as slightly lighter slate shanks on females. We have one female in this line that carries this trait. 
 
Additionally, our Dark Egg line carries the following observed faults in our females: Over-melanized hackles, dark eyes (SOP is pumpkin-colored), smaller body than our SOP line, and a pinched tale. That said, we culled for traits that we observed to indicate a mixed breed, overly lopped comb, and tail types that we felt could not be corrected, regardless of egg color.  We have not grown out males in this line, so we have no observable faults to consider, but Major, our Dark Line sire has the following very minor faults: 6 point comb, slightly darker ear tufts (copper and black mixed.) He is an exceptional sire over our Dark Line and very-near perfect.
 
Important Notes:
We vaccinate for Marek's. If you do not wish for your chick to be vaccinated, please communicate this in the ORDER NOTES. Vaccination is included in the price. 
Availability is strictly limited and only available from March 15 to May 31 on a pre-order basis – reserve yours early.
Local Pick-up Only. We do not ship chicks. We have available pick-up points from San Diego to Monterey. Please choose your pick-up point at check-out and we will contact you when we have a pick-up date available.  
 
Minimum 2 chicks, Maximum 3 (You can mix and match chicks across our three available breeds to meet your minimum)