Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
This breed of chicken was developed in France in the 1920s around the town of Marans. This
versatile bird is fleshy for meat, a good provider of eggs, friendly enough to make a pet, and
suitable for breeding. Their eyes are reddish-orange, and their comb is single with up to seven
serrations. Their earlobes are red, and their bodies are black, dark cuckoo, golden cuckoo, and
silver cuckoo. Their legs are typically clean and are a light color, but some variations have
lightly feathered legs. They have four toes.
Roosters of this breed weigh about 8 pounds, and hens weigh 7 pounds. Bantams are about 30
ounces. Marans are most noted for their eggs, which are a rich chocolate-brown color. This
breed does best free-range because they are busy birds, constantly moving about. Although
friendly, they do not particularly like to be handled. Consider this if they will be around small
children who may want to hold them.
Wyandotte
This heavy bird is a great layer of cream- or white-colored eggs; a hen can lay 150 to 220
eggs per year. They are fast-growing and have at least 14 color variations in America, includ-
ing silver laced golden, white, black, buff, Colombian, partridge, silver penciled, and barred.
Their skin is yellow, and their color patterns make them a popular breed for show.
Wyandottes have rose combs, red earlobes, and red wattles. Their legs are clean with four
toes. They like to take flight, so they should live in a covered run or have their wings clipped.
This fowl has a good disposition and is typically calm in nature, but the males can be aggress-
ive. They will have their own hierarchy among the flock, and more than one rooster can bring
out their aggressive nature.
Roosters weigh about 8 ½ pounds, and hens weigh 6 to 7 pounds. Bantams weigh 4 pounds.
Keep the pale-colored varieties away from excessive sunlight because they are sensitive to it.
Barnevelder
This chicken is not one of the most popular breeds, but they are easy to care for and great for
a novice chicken owner. Their colors are black, double-laced, double-laced blue, and white.
They have red single combs, wattles, and earlobes, and their eyes are orange-brown. Their
legs are yellow and clean with four toes.
