Eggs by breed
How many eggs does a Marans lay?
150 to 200 a year in her first year, about 3 to 4 a week in season. Kept for the darkest eggs of any breed. Colour fades through the laying cycle.
Quick answer
| Per day | Per week | Per month | Per year (first year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 3–4 | 13–17 | 150–200 |
Breed facts
| Egg | dark chocolate brown, large |
|---|---|
| Starts laying | 22–26 weeks |
| Temperament | calm |
| Climate | hardy |
| Goes broody | sometimes |
| Type | heritage breed |
Year one, year two and after
The first full year of laying is the best. Year two runs 10 to 20 percent lower, and each year after drops again. A four-year-old Marans still lays in spring, just less.
How many Marans do I need?
Take the eggs your household eats in a week and divide by 4. For a dozen a week, about 4. Round up; you will thank yourself in January.
What those eggs cost. With 4 Marans and a bag of feed a month, the calculator tells you the cost per dozen and when the coop pays for itself. Cost-per-egg calculator.
Common questions
How many eggs does a Marans lay a day?
At most one. A Marans in full lay gives about 3 to 4 eggs a week, so some days she skips. No hen lays more than one egg a day.
When does a Marans start laying?
Between 22 and 26 weeks old. The first eggs are small and sometimes oddly shaped; that is normal.
Does a Marans lay in winter?
Less. Below about 12 hours of daylight most hens slow sharply or stop, then come back in spring.
How many Marans do I need for a dozen eggs a week?
About 4. Divide the eggs your household eats in a week by 4 and round up.