McMurray Hatchery is the oldest, and largest, hatchery in the United States. We offer over 100 breeds of poultry from day-old baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys and other fowl. Each year we carefully select breeds to add to our selection. For our 2019 season, we are excited to announce the addition of several new breeds in 2019 — the Bielefelder and the French Black Copper Marans.
There are several varieties of Marans chickens, but the French Black Copper Marans are in high demand right now. These hens lay the darkest brown eggs of any breed we offer — at the farmers market these eggs will keep you, and your customers, wishing you had more.
If we had to choose one word to describe our flock of French Black Copper Marans, we would have to stay they are a stately breed. These are tall, elegant birds are a deep black with a green sheen and copper hackle feathers — males have copper saddle feathers and an upright stance. Unlike the Cuckoo Marans which are clean legged, the Black Copper Marans have lightly feathered legs. With their red single comb and orange eyes, this breed is a must-have and a show-stopper.
These birds have a good disposition — not overly friendly, but not skittish. They will forage some, but tolerate confinement fairly well and do well in a backyard or urban flock. They are also fairly hardy given adequate housing and shelter.
At this time we are offering the French Black Copper Marans as a straight run only while we continue to build our flock.