I got my first Marans in 2017. I really needed those dark eggs in my rainbow egg basket, of course! I picked up BCM and Blue Copper chicks from a local breeder. I wanted to raise the cockerels for my first Olive Egger project, but the males in this line tended to be aggressive. I had young children, so poor temperament was not something I have tolerated. I decided to add a different line of Blue Copper birds, even though I was aware this new line carried recessive yellow leg genetics. That didn't matter for my Olive Egger pen anyway! But then I fell in love with the temperament of these new birds and decided to try my hand at breeding and showing Marans. Instead of starting over with better stock, I test-bred this line for recessive genes and I've been working ever since to cull out all of the other defects. 

Marans are a very difficult breed to get right if you're into exhibition. Season after season, I make a little more progress and that's what keeps me going. My goals are producing birds for exhibition, maintaining and even improving their egg color, and attempting to do the breed Standard justice. My cull rates are high and most of my growouts end up in freezer camp to help feed my family. 

Availability-
I do not sell hatching eggs or chicks from my Marans at this time. I hatch and grow out every chick here on the farm to evaluate them for future breeding and show potential. Occasionally, I'll offer started pullets (my culls) in the Fall to layer homes. On more rare occasion, I may have extra breeding quality birds to pass on. My preference is for them to go to youth who are interested in exhibition or to other dedicated and knowledgeable breeders.

I do not keep wait lists. I will update the shop as birds are available. Thank you for understanding.