Golden Cuckoo Marans is one of the most unique and rare breeds in not only Marans but also in the world of chickens. So, in the article, let’s unlock the golden secret and discover the allure of Golden Cuckoo Marans – where beauty meets bounty!
Golden Cuckoo Marans Chicken – Overview
Golden Cuckoo Marans are a rare breed of chickens that, like the other varieties of Marans, are famous for their dark brown eggs. They are very beautiful and have a very calm and friendly temperament, which makes them a perfect choice for backyard chicken keeping whether you are a newbie or experienced chicken farmer.
History and Origin
Like the other varieties of Marans chicken, the Golden Cuckoo Maran is also believed to have originated in the Marans Town of the, western France, in the 1800s.
These unique birds were created by crossing the Langshan with the local game birds. Their production increased with time because people loved their dark brown eggs. In the early 20th century, breeders made a standard for this breed and started to focus on the bird’s appearance, which gave rise to the distinct cuckoo variety, one of which is nowadays known as the golden cuckoo.
Appearance
Golden Cuckoo Marans are very beautiful chickens and look very cool while roaming around in the backyard. As you can guess by their name, the term cuckoo refers to their plumage pattern that contains alternating dark and light bars on their feathers.
Golden Cuckoo Marans have a barred plumage pattern like stranded Cuckoo Marans. Still, their feathers have a golden or coppery hue compared to the silver or gray colors seen in the usual Cuckoo Marans or Silver Marans chickens.
These unique birds have golden feathers with black cuckoo stripping throughout the body. They have a medium-sized red comb and also have red earlobes and wattles.
Features:
- Single red comb
- Red earlobes and wattles
- Bright eyes
- Golden feathers with dark cuckoo stripping
- Striking plumage pattern
Weight
Golden Cuckoo Marans are a large breed of chicken that can weigh 6 to 8 pounds when fully grown. They are neither too big nor too small, so they are perfect for any backyard flock. The rooster weights about 8.5lb while the hen can grow up to 6.5lb
The Personality of Golden Cuckoo Marans
Temperament
Golden Cuckoo Marans are not only beautiful but are also very friendly and docile. They are cherished for their polite and amiable temperament, which makes them ideal for backyard flocks. They always display a calm demeanor, whether they are roosting in the coop or foraging in the yard.
Hardiness
Golden Cuckoo Marans are a tough chicken breed that can live in difficult conditions. They are cold-hardy, which means these birds can survive in extremely cold conditions. They are perfect for people who live in cold climates and are afraid to keep chickens.
Noise Level
As mentioned earlier, Golden Cuckoo Marans are very calm and polite, so they definitely don’t have a very high noise level that can irritate you and your neighborhood. You can keep them in urban areas where there are mostly noise restrictions.
Lifespan
The lifespan of any chicken depends on various factors such as diet, environment, and care. On average, Golden Cuckoo Marans can live up to 3 to 7 years, but it is not uncommon for some individuals to live beyond this range. At the end of the day, it will definitely depend on how you take care of them.
Characteristics Of Golden Cuckoo Marans
| Breed | Marans Chicken |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Color | Cuckoo (with alternating Golden and black bars) |
| Lifespan | 7+ Years |
| Weight | Hen (6 – 6.5lb) and Rooster (8 – 8.5lb). |
| Noise Level | Moderate level |
| Eggs Color | Chocolate or Dark Brown |
| Egg Production | 4 per week (200 per year) |
| Meat Production | Good |
| Rare Breed | Yes |
Golden Cuckoo Marans Eggs Color & Production
The egg color and production of these beautiful chickens is given below,
Eggs Color
The most popular quality of Golden Cuckoo Marans is their ability to lay very good eggs. They can lay medium—to large-sized eggs, The eggs color of these chickens is chocolate or dark brown in color. The dark brown eggs of these chickens are the biggest reason why most people keep them in their backyards. Their chocolate-colored eggs are also very flavorful.
Eggs Production
An average Golden Cuckoo Maran hen can lay 4 to 5 eggs per week . Overall the hen can almost lay 200 eggs per year which is a very good number. Moreover,, a golden cuckoo marans hen starts laying eggs at the age i]of almost 5 to 6 months.
Golden Cuckoo Marans Rooster Vs Hen
Golden Cuckoo Maran roosters are bigger than hens, which is a common feature in most chicken breeds. The roosters also tend to crow a lot, while on the other hand, the hens are smaller and more docile. However, both the Rooster and the Hens have some differences and qualities which make them different from each other:
Golden Cuckoo Maran Rooster
The Golden Cuckoo Maran Rooster is big, beautiful, and rare. Additionally. it has striking golden and dark black plumage with a unique cuckoo pattern on its feathers.
Characteristics:
Size: Roosters weigh around 7 pounds
Color: Golden cuckoo pattern with black and white (in some cases) feathers.
Temperament: Docile and gentle.
Golden Cuckoo Maran Hen
The hens of this breed might be a bit smaller but can lay a lot of beautiful dark brown eggs, which is a quality that every chicken keeper loves.
Characteristics:
Size: Around 6 pounds.
Color: Golden cuckoo pattern with dark black, white, and gold feathers.
Temperament: Docile and gentle.
Eggs: Lay dark brown eggs.
Pros and Cons of Having Golden Cuckoo Marans
Here are some of the major pros and cons of keeping the golden cuckoo Maran chickens:
Pros:
Dark brown eggs:
These chickens are known for their dark brown or chocolate eggs. Their eggs are medium-sized and rich and flavorful.
Calm and docile temperament:
These birds have a very gentle and docile temperament. They are also quite easy to handle and make good pets for newbies and for families with kids.
Hardiness:
They can survive in harsh conditions and tolerate extremely cold weather, which is why they are called the cold-hardy breed of chicken.
Dual-purpose breed:
Marans are a popular dual-purpose breed, meaning they are good in both eggs and meat production.
Cons:
Rare and Expensive:
They are rare chickens, and that’s why they are very expensive to purchase as compared to other chicken breeds.
Delicate eggs:
Their eggs are quite fragile, and there is always a risk that they might break or get cracked during transportation or even during handling.
Less prolific egg layers:
Their eggs are beautiful, but they lay fewer eggs than other chicken breeds. Typically, a golden cuckoo marans lays 200 eggs per year.
Conclusion
The Golden Cuckoo Maran chicken is a wonderful chicken breed that has almost all the qualities that a chicken lover can wish for. They are very calm and friendly, are quite easy to take care of, and also lay beautiful dark brown eggs.
Hence, if you are a chicken lover, what else do you want? Having these super cool chickens in your backyard will make you really happy.
Hopefully, all your doubts related to Golden Cuckoo Maran chickens have been cleared. If you have any experience with these chickens or still have any questions, you can comment below. Thank you.
FAQs
What color eggs do golden cuckoo Marans lay?
They can lay medium—to large-sized eggs, The eggs color of these chickens is chocolate or dark brown in color. The dark brown eggs of these chickens are the biggest reason why most people keep them in their backyards. Their chocolate-colored eggs are also very flavorful.
Are Golden Cuckoo Marans rare?
Yes, olden Cuckoo Marans are extremely rare because these chickens are quite difficult to hatch. They are rare chickens, and that’s why they are very expensive to purchase as compared to other chicken breeds.
What is the personality of a golden cuckoo Marans?
Golden Cuckoo Marans are not only beautiful but are also very friendly and docile. They have a polite and amiable temperament, which makes them ideal for backyard flocks. They always display a calm demeanor, whether they are roosting in the coop or foraging in the yard