Marans chicken farming is very popular among the hobby poultry farmers. Because these birds lay rich chocolate brown colored eggs. It is actually a dual-purpose breed and good for both meat and eggs production.
But most of the poultry keepers prefer these birds mainly for their unique egg color and also for their beautiful appearance. The Marans chickens were developed in France in the mid 1800s in the town of Marans. And the breed was named after the town Marans, from where it was developed.
The Marans chickens were developed by using the local feral chickens descended from fighting game chickens carried from Indonesia and India. The original Marandaise fowl were improved meat purpose through recombination with imported Croad Langshans.
However, the Marans chickens are dual purpose birds and they are known for both of their fine meat qualities and extremely dark eggs. And they grow large enough quickly to be used for meat production as well as for eggs.
On average a Marans hen can produce about 150-200 eggs per year. So starting commercial Marans chicken farming for both meat and eggs production can be profitable.
How to Start Marans Chicken Farming
Starting Marans chicken farming is just like starting and operating a chicken farming business with any other domestic chicken breeds. The Marans chickens are very strong and hardy birds and they generally require less caring and other management.
So starting commercial Marans chicken farming is relatively easy. Even the beginners can also start this business. Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Marans chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Chickens
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and disease free birds for starting Marans chicken farming business. You can purchase either day old chicks or mature birds depending on the availability and price in your area.
Purchasing day old chicks is always better and it’s much cheaper. While the mature birds are sold at a very high price in the market.
You can purchase the chicks from any of your nearest poultry chick suppliers or existing farms. You can also search your local online classified websites.
Housing
First of all, you have to make a good, comfortable and secure housing system for starting Marans chicken farming business. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy but also helps them to stay free from all types of predators and adverse weather conditions.
The house can be of any type depending on your budget. It can be a low cost house build with simply bamboo, wood and such easily available materials. Or the house can be of full concrete setup.
Install good ventilation system and ensure flow of enough clean and fresh air inside the house. Because good ventilation system helps to reduce gas from the house and it also keeps the birds healthy.
Try to make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. As a heavy breed, a mature Marans chicken will require around or up to 6 square feet housing space.
Feeding
This is the most important part of Marans chicken farming business. Because good food not only helps the birds to stay healthy and productive, but also helps them to grow better and produce more. So always try to feed your chickens with good quality and nutritious food.
You can feed your chickens either with commercial poultry feeds or you can prepare the feeds of you own. Just ensure that the food is nutritious and healthy for your birds.
Never feed them with contaminated feeds and always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.
Breeding
Like many other domestic chicken breeds, the Marans chickens are also very good breeders. They will breed easily and produce fertile eggs if you keep good ratio of hens and roosters in your flock. Generally one mature rooster is enough for breeding 8-10 hens (sometimes more).
Caring
The Marans chickens are fast growing and are extremely hardy birds. So they generally require less caring and other management. Although taking additional care will help the birds to grow better and produce more.
Inspect your birds on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness, and take necessary steps if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate them timely and keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
This is the main advantage of Marans chicken farming business. Because marketing chicken products is not a problem. Chicken products have very good demand and value in the market throughout the world.
So, you will be able to easily sell your products in the local market. Although you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common ways and steps for starting and operating a successful Marans chicken farming business. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
