Faverolles (chicken)
Encyclopedia
The Faverolles is a French
breed
of chicken
. The breed was developed in the 1860s in north-central France, in the vicinity of the villages of Houdan
and Faverolles
. The breed was given the name of the latter village, and therefore, the singular is also Faverolles, not Faverolle.
Faverolles were originally bred in France as a utility fowl, used for both eggs and meat; but are now primarily raised for exhibition
.
Faverolles reached the UK in 1886 where the breed was furthered altered to meet exhibition standards when British breeders developed a type of Faverolles that possessed longer, higher raised tail feathers than their German and French Cousins.
The most common color is Salmon. The plumage of salmon females is mainly brown and creamy white. The males are darker, with black, brown, and straw-colored feathers. Other varieties, including white, black, ermine, cuckoo, splash, and blue, also exist. Hens are good winter layers of medium-sized, light brown to pinkish eggs. Some cocks are the quietest of all breeds, and Faverolles are also known for their extreme docility. As a result, they tend to get bullied in a mixed flock for being so gentle and friendly. They thrive in groups with other Faverolles, or perhaps, with other docile breeds such as the Sussex. Because of their gentleness Faverolles have become a popular breed of chicken to keep as a pet, especially for children. They are also enjoying increasing popularity with people who kept small home flocks, who favor dual purpose breeds that are well suited to both egg production and use as meat. Faverolles are considered to be very good layers, a well-cared for Faverolles hen will lay approximately four eggs per week.
The British Poultry Standards specify that adult cocks (roosters) should weigh between nine and eleven pounds, hens should weigh between seven and a half pounds and nine and a half pounds. The Australian and United States standards call for a slightly smaller bird, but still a relatively large chicken. The Australian standard specifies that cocks weight from eight to ten pounds, hens six and a half to eight and a half pounds. The American Poultry Association standard is eight pounds for cocks, six pounds for hens.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
breed
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
. The breed was developed in the 1860s in north-central France, in the vicinity of the villages of Houdan
Houdan
Houdan is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-Geography:Houdan is west of Paris in the Yvelines département. It is linked by SNCF Alençon and Paris .-History:...
and Faverolles
Faverolles, Eure-et-Loir
Faverolles is a commune in the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
. The breed was given the name of the latter village, and therefore, the singular is also Faverolles, not Faverolle.
Faverolles were originally bred in France as a utility fowl, used for both eggs and meat; but are now primarily raised for exhibition
Livestock show
A livestock show is an event where livestock are exhibited and judged on certain phenotypical breed traits as specified by their respective breed standard. Species of livestock that may be shown include pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, llamas and alpacas. Poultry such as chickens, geese, ducks,...
.
Faverolles reached the UK in 1886 where the breed was furthered altered to meet exhibition standards when British breeders developed a type of Faverolles that possessed longer, higher raised tail feathers than their German and French Cousins.
Characteristics
Faverolles are classified as a heavy breed and have a beard, muffs, feathered feet, and five toes per foot, rather than the usual four. Faverolles are well adapted both to confinement or free range. When battery cages began to be used at the very beginning of the twentieth-century, Faverolles tolerated the close confinement better than the Houdan breed. Thus, the Faverolles was the primary breed that produced eggs for the Paris market during the early part of the century. Although primarily kept today as an ornamental and exhibition breed, it remains an excellent layer, as well as a fine meat chicken.The most common color is Salmon. The plumage of salmon females is mainly brown and creamy white. The males are darker, with black, brown, and straw-colored feathers. Other varieties, including white, black, ermine, cuckoo, splash, and blue, also exist. Hens are good winter layers of medium-sized, light brown to pinkish eggs. Some cocks are the quietest of all breeds, and Faverolles are also known for their extreme docility. As a result, they tend to get bullied in a mixed flock for being so gentle and friendly. They thrive in groups with other Faverolles, or perhaps, with other docile breeds such as the Sussex. Because of their gentleness Faverolles have become a popular breed of chicken to keep as a pet, especially for children. They are also enjoying increasing popularity with people who kept small home flocks, who favor dual purpose breeds that are well suited to both egg production and use as meat. Faverolles are considered to be very good layers, a well-cared for Faverolles hen will lay approximately four eggs per week.
The British Poultry Standards specify that adult cocks (roosters) should weigh between nine and eleven pounds, hens should weigh between seven and a half pounds and nine and a half pounds. The Australian and United States standards call for a slightly smaller bird, but still a relatively large chicken. The Australian standard specifies that cocks weight from eight to ten pounds, hens six and a half to eight and a half pounds. The American Poultry Association standard is eight pounds for cocks, six pounds for hens.
Approximate Weight (metric)
| Cock | 4.1 - 5.0 kg |
| Hen | 3.4 - 4.3 kg |
| Rooster | 1.1 - 1.4 kg |
| Hen | 0.9 - 1.1 kg |