French Black Tail Buff Marans Chicken
Breed Facts
- Poultry Show Class: Continental Class
- Weights: Hen ——-6 1/2 lbs
Rooster—8 lbs
Pullet——5 1/2 lbs
Cockerel—7 lbs - Purpose: Egg Laying
- Egg Shell Color: Dark Brown #7 to #9 Range
- Egg Production: Good 200+ ( (estimates only, see FAQ)
- Mating Ratio: 8 Females to 1 Male
- Roost Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Country of Origin: France
- APA: No
- TLC: Not Listed
- Breeder Farm Source: Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing our bloodline/strain of French Black Tail Buff Marans since 2016.
French Black Tail Buff Marans Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The French Black Tail Buff Marans Chicken is a rare Marans color variety known in France as Fauve à Queue Noire, which translates to buff with black tail. This variety was first shown at an exhibition in Paris in 1932 and remains a unique color within the Marans breed family.
Marans chickens originated in France and became famous for their rich dark brown eggs. The French Black Tail Buff Marans adds a striking buff-and-black color pattern to that dark egg heritage. Cackle Hatchery® lists this variety in its dark brown egg layer category and currently notes it as out of stock for this hatching season.
This page also reflects Cackle Hatchery®’s breeding-project work with this variety. Because rare color projects can take time to develop and stabilize, customers should check availability before planning an order.
Important Availability and Breeding Project Note
The French Black Tail Buff Marans is a breeding project in development within Cackle Hatchery’s breeding program. Cackle’s current product listing shows the breed as out of stock for this hatching season.
Customers interested in this rare variety may also want to review other French Marans, dark brown egg layers, French Marans Pullet Surplus, or Dark Brown Egg Female Surplus while waiting for future availability.
Appearance and Characteristics
French Black Tail Buff Marans have warm buff plumage set off by darker black tail feathering. This contrast gives the bird a classic French farm-breed look while still keeping the rich egg color value Marans customers want.
Expected traits include:
- Buff body color
- Black tail feathers
- French Marans background
- Dark brown eggs
- Egg shell color potential of 7 to 9 on the French Marans egg color chart
- Rare color variety
- Breeding-project status
- Dual-purpose Marans value
- Limited or future availability
- 75% sexing accuracy guarantee for French Marans
Because this variety remains part of a breeding project, customers should expect availability and type to develop over time.
French Color Name: Fauve à Queue Noire
The French call this color Fauve à Queue Noire. In English, that means buff with black tail or black-tailed buff.
The black-tailed buff color has close genetic links to wheaten Marans, and Marans breed resources note that breeders should describe the variety clearly as Black Tailed Buff Marans rather than using only the broader term buff.
This clear naming helps customers understand that the variety has a specific buff body and black tail pattern rather than a plain buff appearance.
Dark Brown Egg Color
French Black Tail Buff Marans are especially exciting because of their dark egg potential. Cackle notes that its flock lays egg shell colors of 7 to 9 on the French Marans egg color chart.
That range is impressive because the French Marans chart generally measures egg darkness on a 1-to-9 scale, with higher numbers representing darker brown shell color. A recent Marans breed guide also describes Marans eggs as dark brown to chocolate and scored on a 1-to-9 Marans color scale.
Egg color can vary by hen, age, season, diet, and point in the laying cycle. However, a 7-to-9 range gives this project strong dark egg appeal.
Dual-Purpose Marans Value
Like other Marans, French Black Tail Buff Marans can offer both egg and meat value. Marans have a heritage, dual-purpose background, and many customers choose them for dark eggs, practical size, and backyard usefulness.
This variety can appeal to customers who want:
- Very dark brown eggs
- A rare Marans color project
- Buff plumage with black tail feathers
- French Marans heritage
- A dual-purpose backyard chicken
- A unique flock addition
- A conservation-minded breeding project
Customers who want a highly available dark egg layer may prefer a more established Marans variety. However, customers who enjoy rare varieties and breeding-project birds may find the French Black Tail Buff Marans especially appealing.
Sexing Note
Most Cackle Hatchery® breeds average about 90% accuracy on gender sexing. However, French Marans breeds are more difficult for vent sexers to determine.
For this reason, Cackle Hatchery® provides a 75% sexing accuracy guarantee on French Marans. Customers ordering females should keep this lower guarantee in mind when planning coop space, flock size, and possible rooster management.
French Black Tail Buff Marans vs French Black Tailed Red Marans
French Black Tail Buff Marans and French Black Tailed Red Marans are both rare Marans color varieties with dark egg appeal, but their plumage differs.
A French Black Tail Buff Marans has buff body color with black tail feathering and carries the French color name Fauve à Queue Noire.
A French Black Tailed Red Marans chicken has red body coloring with a black tail. Cackle’s French Black Tailed Red listing places that variety in the dark brown egg layer category.
Choose French Black Tail Buff Marans if you want the buff-and-black color project.
Choose French Black Tailed Red Marans if you prefer a deeper red body color with black tail feathering.
French Black Tail Buff Marans vs French Wheaten Marans
French Black Tail Buff and French Wheaten Marans have related color-family connections, but they should not be treated as the same variety.
A French Black Tail Buff Marans should show a buff body with a black tail.
A French Wheaten Marans chicken has the wheaten color pattern and is a more familiar Marans variety for many dark egg customers.
Choose French Black Tail Buff Marans if you want the rarer project color.
Choose French Wheaten Marans if you want a more established French Marans variety with dark egg value.
French Black Tail Buff Marans vs Dark Brown Egg Female Surplus
Choose French Black Tail Buff Marans if you specifically want this rare buff-and-black French Marans project.
Choose Dark Brown Egg Female Surplus if you want a hatchery-choice selection of female dark brown egg layers and are flexible about breed or variety.
The surplus option can help customers build a dark egg basket even when a specific rare Marans variety has limited availability.
French Black Tail Buff Marans vs French Marans Pullet Surplus
Choose French Black Tail Buff Marans if you want this specific variety and availability allows ordering.
Choose French Marans Pullet Surplus if you want female French Marans and are flexible about which French Marans variety you receive.
This can be a practical option for customers who mainly want French Marans egg color and utility rather than one exact color variety.
Is the French Black Tail Buff Marans Right for Your Flock?
Choose French Black Tail Buff Marans chickens if you want:
- A rare French Marans color project
- The French color variety Fauve à Queue Noire
- Buff plumage with a black tail
- Very dark brown eggs
- Egg shell color potential of 7 to 9 on the French Marans chart
- A dual-purpose Marans-style chicken
- A unique backyard or homestead flock bird
- A project variety connected to Cackle Hatchery’s breeding program
However, consider another variety if you need immediate availability, a fully established color line, more predictable supply, or a more common dark egg layer. In short, French Black Tail Buff Marans are best for customers who appreciate rare poultry projects, French Marans heritage, and very dark brown egg potential.
Care and Housing Tips
French Black Tail Buff Marans need the same strong care as other Marans varieties. Good nutrition, clean housing, and secure outdoor access help support egg color, shell quality, and overall health.
For best results, provide:
- A dry, well-ventilated coop
- Predator-resistant fencing
- Clean bedding
- Fresh water at all times
- Balanced chick starter and age-appropriate layer feed
- Nest boxes for dark brown eggs
- Enough roosting space for medium-to-large birds
- A spacious run or safe outdoor access
- Shade and airflow during hot weather
- Protection from drafts and damp bedding in cold weather
- Good nutrition to support shell color and shell strength
Since dark egg color can shift throughout the laying season, customers should expect some natural variation in shade.
Recognition and Availability
The French Black Tail Buff Marans is a rare Marans project variety, and Cackle Hatchery® currently lists it as out of stock for this hatching season.
Because hatch dates and availability can change, customers should check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart or the product page before ordering.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
Customers who like French Black Tail Buff Marans may also enjoy other Marans, dark brown egg layers, and French Marans surplus options.
Helpful Cackle Hatchery® links for this product page include:
- French Black Tailed Red Marans chickens
- French Wheaten Marans chickens
- French Black Copper Marans chickens
- French Black Marans chickens
- French Cuckoo Marans chickens
- Dark Brown Egg Female Surplus
- French Marans Pullet Surplus
- Dark Brown Egg Layers for Sale
- Brown Egg Layers for Sale
- Dual Purpose Chickens for Sale
- Baby chicks for sale
- Chicken Availability Chart
FAQ: French Black Tail Buff Marans Chicken
What is a French Black Tail Buff Marans Chicken?
A French Black Tail Buff Marans Chicken is a rare Marans color project with buff body plumage, black tail feathers, French Marans heritage, and very dark brown egg potential.
What do the French call this Marans color?
The French call this color Fauve à Queue Noire, which means buff with black tail.
When was the Black Tail Buff Marans first shown?
This color was first shown at an exhibition in Paris in 1932.
Is the French Black Tail Buff Marans a Cackle Hatchery® breeding project?
Yes. The French Black Tail Buff Marans is a breeding project in development within Cackle Hatchery’s breeding program.
Is Cackle Hatchery® offering French Black Tail Buff Marans this season?
Cackle’s current product listing shows French Black Tail Buff Marans as out of stock for this hatching season.
What do French Black Tail Buff Marans look like?
They have buff plumage with black tail feathers.
What color eggs do French Black Tail Buff Marans lay?
They lay dark brown eggs.
How dark are Cackle Hatchery® French Black Tail Buff Marans eggs?
Cackle’s flock lays egg shell colors of 7 to 9 on the French Marans egg color chart.
Are French Black Tail Buff Marans good dark egg layers?
Yes. Their 7-to-9 egg color potential makes them a strong dark egg project variety.
Are French Black Tail Buff Marans dual-purpose chickens?
Like other Marans, they can offer both egg and meat value.
What is the difference between French Black Tail Buff Marans and French Black Tailed Red Marans?
French Black Tail Buff Marans have buff body color with a black tail. French Black Tailed Red Marans have red body color with a black tail.
What is the difference between French Black Tail Buff Marans and French Wheaten Marans?
French Black Tail Buff Marans have buff body color and black tail feathers. French Wheaten Marans have a wheaten color pattern.
What is the sexing accuracy for French Black Tail Buff Marans?
Cackle Hatchery® provides a 75% sexing accuracy guarantee for French Marans because they are harder to vent sex than most breeds.
Why is French Marans sexing accuracy lower?
French Marans are more difficult for vent sexers to determine, so Cackle’s sexing guarantee is lower than the usual average.
What is Dark Brown Egg Female Surplus?
Dark Brown Egg Female Surplus is a hatchery-choice selection of female dark brown egg layers for customers who are flexible on breed or variety.
What is French Marans Pullet Surplus?
French Marans Pullet Surplus is a hatchery-choice female option for customers who want French Marans pullets but are flexible about the exact variety.
Where can I check French Black Tail Buff Marans availability?
Customers can check the French Black Tail Buff Marans product page or Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart for current breed availability updates.
Order from Cackle Hatchery
Choose French Black Tail Buff Marans Chicken from cackle hatchery. Review the product information above for current options, availability and ordering details.
Related Products
Related products
