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Large fowl Origin: France Classification: Heavy, soft feather Egg colour: Dark brown Weight: Large fowl; male 3.6kg, female 3.2kg. Bantam; male 910g,
This breed, which takes its name from the town of Marans in France, has in its make-up such breeds as the Coucou de Malines, Croad Langshan, Rennes, Faverolles, barred Rock, Braekel and Gatinaise. Imported to the UK in about 1929 it has developed into a dual-purpose, sitting breed. Like other barred breeds, the cuckoo Marans female can be mated with males of suitable unbarred breeds to give sex-linked offspring with the white head-spot distinguishing characteristic.
Characteristics Male Carriage: Active, compact and graceful. Type: Body of medium length with good width and depth throughout; front broad, full and deep. Breast long, well-fleshed, of good width and without keeliness. Tail well carried, high. Head: Refined. Beak deep and of medium size. Eyes large and prominent; pupil large and defined. Comb single, medium size, straight, erect with five to seven serrations, and of fine texture. Face smooth. Wattles of medium size and fine texture. Neck: Of medium length and not too profusely feathered. Legs and feet: Legs of medium length, wide apart and good-quality bone. Thighs well fleshed but not heavy in bone. Shanks clean and unfeathered. Toes, four, well spread and straight. Plumage: Fairly tight and of silky texture generally. Handling: Firm, as befits a table breed. Flesh white and skin of fine texture.
Female Similar to the male, allowing for normal sexual differences. Table and laying qualities to be taken on account jointly.
Colours Black (not standardised in bantam), dark cuckoo, golden cuckoo, silver cuckoo. In both sexes and all colours,beak white or horn. Eyes red or bright orange preferred. Comb, face, wattles and earlobes red. Legs and feet white.
Defects Feathered shanks, general coarseness, lack of activity. Superfine bone. Any points against utility or reproductive values. White in lobe. Deformities, crooked breastbone, other than four toes etc.
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Marans