The Faverolles chicken breed takes its name from the village of Faverolles, located in the Eure-et-Loire region just southwest of Paris, France. The breed was developed by crossing many other chicken breeds and then selecting for production qualities alone. Breeds used in its development were the Houdan, Brahma, French Rennes, Flemish Cuckoo, Malines, and Dorking. For many years Faverolles chickens were a varied and mixed lot, but by about 1886 a distinct type emerged and some consistency in plumage color materialized.
Faverolles chickens come in many color varieties, but in America only the Salmon and the White varieties have been embraced and accepted into the APA Standard. Other, more rare variations, including Black and Mahogany are available from select breeders. When most people think of the Faverolles breed it is the Salmon variety that they are visualizing. Salmon is a unique color pattern found exclusively on the Faverolles chicken. The males appear as a much lighter colored Golden Duckwing compared to males of other breeds. The females appear as a much more lightly colored Wheaten than females of other breeds.
Favorelles chickens are medium-sized, with deep compact bodies, feathered shanks and toes, and beards. With their “fluffy” appearance, it is easy to overlook the fact that this breed was developed with meat production and winter egg laying with the great Paris market in mind. Faverolles chickens combine early maturity, hardiness, and good egg-laying with gourmet meat qualities. During the early1900s it was considered the best French breed yet produced. The French fattened them for the restaurant trade on a diet of grain and milk.
The Salmon Faverolles on Smoky Buttes Ranch are certified by the Sustainable Poultry Network (SPN-USA – www.SPN-USA.com) to be true to breed; and are being bred to the highest excellence for vigor, standard qualities, and production qualities.
Faverolles are distinct in that they have feathered shanks and an extra fifth toe.
