Description
French Wheaten Marans Chicken
Breed History and Origin
The French Wheaten Marans is part of the Marans breed, originally developed in France and known worldwide for producing dark brown “chocolate” eggs. The Wheaten variety was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in October 2011 at the Crossroads Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, placing it in the Continental Class.
Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its own bloodline or strain of French Wheaten Marans since 2015, focusing on egg color consistency, feather quality, and overall productivity. As a French strain, these birds typically carry feathered shanks, which is a distinguishing feature of the breed.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
French Wheaten Marans are known for their soft wheaten-colored plumage, with hens often displaying lighter buff to cream tones and roosters showing more contrast with darker hackles and body coloration. There can be natural variation in color, especially across the breast and rear, ranging from nearly white to deeper red clay tones.
They have amber-colored eyes and feathered legs (though a small percentage—around 5%—may hatch with clean legs). Mature hens typically weigh around 6 1/2 pounds and roosters around 8 pounds, giving them a solid, dual-purpose body type suitable for both egg production and meat.
Egg Production and Broodiness
French Wheaten Marans are valued for their dark brown eggs, typically ranging from a #5 to #8 on the Marans egg color chart. Cackle Hatchery® flocks have produced eggs in the 5–8 range, which falls within the desirable “chocolate egg” category.
Hens are good layers, producing 200+ large eggs per year under proper conditions, with pullet eggs averaging around 2.3 oz and mature hen eggs around 2.8 oz. As with all Marans, egg color tends to be darkest at the beginning of the laying cycle and may lighten over time.
This breed is considered broody (setters), making them capable of hatching and raising chicks. Fertility typically ranges from 55–70%, with a recommended mating ratio of approximately eight females to one male.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
French Wheaten Marans are known for their docile and friendly temperament, making them a strong choice for backyard flocks. They are sociable birds that integrate well with other chickens. Roosters are typically calm and can often cohabitate more peacefully than many other breeds.
They do well in both free-range and confined environments and prefer moderate roosting heights between 2 to 4 feet.
Production Positioning and Exhibition Use
This breed is well positioned as a dual-purpose production bird, offering both strong egg output and good body size for meat. It also has exhibition value, particularly for those focused on Marans standards and egg color quality.
Buyers should understand that while this variety produces dark eggs, the color is generally not as dark as Black Copper Marans, though still within the desirable chocolate range.
Breeding Note / Color Note
Egg shell color can vary within the flock, and maintaining darker shell color requires careful selection over time. The Wheaten variety also shows natural variation in feather coloration, especially in hens.
Sexing Note: French Marans are more difficult to vent sex accurately. Gender accuracy typically ranges from 75–80%, which is lower than the industry average.
Related Resources
Also may like Dark Brown Egg Female Surplus. https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/dark-brown-egg-female-surplus-special/
Check out our blog “English Marans or French Marans Chicken?” https://www.cacklehatchery.com/english-marans-or-french-marans-chicken/
We also offer at limited times of the year French Wheaten Marans Fertile Hatching Eggs https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/french-wheaten-marans-fertile-hatching-eggs/
FAQ
How dark are French Wheaten Marans eggs?
They typically range from a #5 to #8 on the Marans color chart, producing rich brown “chocolate” eggs.
Do French Wheaten Marans lay as dark as Black Copper Marans?
No, their eggs are usually slightly lighter but still within the desirable dark brown range.
Are French Wheaten Marans good egg layers?
Yes, they produce around 200+ large eggs per year under good conditions.
Are French Wheaten Marans friendly?
Yes, they are docile, sociable, and good for backyard flocks.
Do French Wheaten Marans go broody?
Yes, they are setters and can hatch and raise chicks naturally.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Melanie Linville –
We bought our French Wheaten Marans in the spring and they have been a wonderful addition to our flock! Our girls (aka: “The Featheringtons”) are so friendly and are just beautiful birds. They lay dark brown eggs and occasionally with speckles. Very impressed and looking forward to ordering more from Cackle next spring!
Emma McCathran –
Love my French Wheaten Marans! Beautiful birds with a big personality and mine lay dark brown speckled eggs!
Chelsea Broers –
These birds have been an amazing addition to our flock. Very friendly birds that lay beautiful dark brown eggs.
Dan Shelden –
Can’t attest to egg color or quantity yet as the only pullet Ive identified as laying has given a medium sized average brown egg. However, Wheaten Marans type and quality has been a real surprise. I have quite a few now but may order more next year anyway.
Probably have birds that would show well. 4H prospects for sure. Good personalities on a whole. Thought we might have trouble with cockrels as they are extremely confident and interactive with people but no issues so far.
Radny –
FWM healthy and happy
Good layer, has been broody recently, but who doesn’t get broody once in a while? Still always gentle and friendly with me and my girls. Couple leg feathers but clean feet. As always, Cackle Hatchery delivered with great healthy birds.
Joelle –
don’t fit breed standard
My Wheaten Marans have not begun laying yet, so I cannot comment on egg color. They are mostly thriving, and are decent foragers but not excellent. Their leg feathering has been hit or miss. Many of my females have black mottling, which is not the desired plumage. Fortunately I am not breeding for sale or showing these birds so the incorrect plumage is not a problem for me but it does make me wonder if they are actually purebred.
TaylorRanch –
Great addition!
We added these FWM to our flock this year & are very pleased. They have a great disposition & have started laying as expected.
Jael –
Wheaten Marans
Our girls are very friendly. Lay tons of dark brown eggs of varying shades. Have been very hardy, happy hens. The roosters we bought are gorgeous but got very nasty, quickly.
renee –
Thanks
These birds are great and so is your service!
Twiceborn –
Great Wheatens
Bought these chicks in the spring . All were healthy and thrived . All are beautiful and meet breed standard. They should be laying soon . Will buy more !!
Maxine –
Excellent birds!
I have purchased Wheaten Marans this year and last. Very happy with the quality of birds, healthy and the pullet from last year got Best of variety, best of breed and reserve champion Continental! Will be buying again
JENNIFER –
SWEET VERY CHATTY
GOT THESE GIRLS ALONG WITH 2 OTHER BREEDS. THEY ARE LAYING NOW AND SEEM TO ENJOY HEARING THEMSELVES! WE ALWAYS KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE LAID AND EGG!!
Kps –
Beautiful hens and dark brown eggs
Cacklehatchery.com chicks are the best. I ordered 15 and received them on time and in perfect condition. You should get your birds from them too.
Long Dog Ranch –
Nice chickens
We bought 10 Wheaten Marans at the end of May. We also bought several other breeds, ending up with 52 chicks. Out of all of those chicks, we only lost 3. Unfortunately, those lost were Wheatens. I wouldn’t blame the breed though. Bad management on our end. The chicks overall have been healthy and by far, the most gentle. Not laying yet, but should any day now.
Christy –
Love my Wheaties!
We have three of these birds, and they are lovely, healthy, and lay a beautiful dark brown egg. They are quite outgoing and vocal girls, and they make me laugh! We love having them as part of our flock!
Collene –
The Marans – Not So Great
We placed a small order last February for 3 French Wheatens and 3 Wyandottes. The order came just when it should have and now the Wyandottes lay almost everyday. Out of the 3 Marans, only one lays and she eats her egg as soon as she lays it. But we love the Wyandottes!
Marty –
Love our Wheatons!
We love our Wheaton Marans! Sweet girls….beautiful dark eggs! Most all meet breed standard, and out of 15 we have 3 or 4 real beauties! Great homestead chickens,and super foragers. Very healthy…didn’t loose a single one.
JaneS –
Perfect Flock Addition
I ordered 3 unsexed wheatens with my last batch of chicks and just love these. I did get the roo I was hoping for and he is the sweetest of all so far.
Blue Sky Poultry –
very happy
Very happy with my wheaten marans pullets! They fit well in my mixed flock and I have started getting eggs…nice rich color…can’t wait to order more! Wish I could post an egg pic…
Julia Missouri July 2012 –
Smith Family
Liked you chicken YouTube videos