If you want a calm, beautiful hen that lays some of the darkest eggs in the poultry world, the Black Copper Marans deserves a spot on your shortlist This French breed has earned a loyal following among backyard keepers for its glossy black feathers, gentle personality, and famously rich chocolate-brown eggs Marans eggs are so prized that the French-trained chef Julia Child is often said to have favored them in her own kitchen Whether you raise chickens for the egg basket, the beauty, or both, the Black Copper Marans has a lot to offer