Pictured: Black Copper Maran rooster

The Marans originated in Marans, France. Marans are generally quiet and docile; but they are quite active, taking well to free ranging in rough terrain and are also tough and disease-resistant.  The Maran breed was created with the local feral chickens descended from fighting game chickens carried from Indonesia and India. Those original Marandaise fowl were "improved" for the table through cross-breeding with imported Croad Langshans. A favorite at poultry shows, the Maran is a dual purpose fowl known both for its extremely dark brown eggs and fine meat.

My cousin (she is a city girl) went to gather eggs in the henhouse and encountered a couple disagreeable Maran hens.  So I went in to assist and told her while I gently wiggle their tail feathers check underneath for the eggs.  She wondered how I knew to do that.  I said, “well it keeps them distracted, plus it’s a lot like a lever on a slot machine give it a gentle tug and who knows you may win something.”