Faverolles • Insteading Chicken Breeds Guide

faverolles chicken — David Goehring / Flickr (Creative Commons)

Purpose: Dual-Purpose
Eggs: Light Brown
Egg Size: Large
Color: Brown, Black, Tan, Salmon
Comb Type: Single

Fluffy to nearly a fault and friendly enough to be left alone with children, the Faverolles breed does not need to try hard to win the admiration and affection of the backyard poultry enthusiast.

If you keep your Faverolles chicken with other breeds, be aware that their submissive docility and gentleness could make them a sure target for more aggressive birds. It is probably best to only combine them with the most gentle breeds you can find–other Faverolles, Sussexes, Orpingtons, or the mutt Easter Eggers may be the best choices.

Also, though they make great dual-purpose birds for a small family farm or homestead, their egg production is passable. Perhaps perfect for folks just looking to feed themselves. If you’re looking to make a buck off of your surplus eggs, more productive hens like the Sussex or Rhode Island Red may be the ones for you!

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Characteristics

If it’s a unique-looking bird you want, look no further! This portly chicken sports a beard that would make a hipster jealous, muffed cheeks, feathered feet, a fifth toe, and can be found in almost every color in chicken kind.

Aside from their endearingly odd looks, one of the most notable traits of the Faverolles chicken is their sweet personality. Sometimes called “quirky,” these calm birds tolerate small spaces and confinement, and may very well be the ideal backyard chicken for an urban gardener. Even the roosters are admirably well behaved!

Also, with all that poof, you can imagine that these birds aren’t intimidated by a cold winter, and you are correct! In fact, they even continue laying into the winter.

What’s the Yield?

Though it is often used as an exhibition chicken, the original intent for developing this breed was as an ideal dual-purpose chicken for Paris markets. These larger roosters usually reach around 8 pounds at maturity, and the hens around 6 pounds. With such plentiful, flavorful meat, the French even have a dish that is made exclusively from Faverolles, Petite Poussin.

Hens are decent layers of large eggs, producing at least 150-180 tinted to light brown eggs a year. Their incredibly calm nature and willingness to be handled and petted makes them a primo choice for a pet chicken.

Even the roosters are regarded as good pets, considered by some to be the most calm and personable roosters of any breed. Keep them healthy and safe, and you will be able to enjoy their gentle, affectionate company for 5-7 years.

Fascinating Faverolles

Are you fond of the fluffy Faverolles but would prefer a smaller bird? Bantam varieties do exist, but the rarity of the bird in both bantam and standard sizes may make them harder to track down than other breeds. Try connecting with the Faverolles Fanciers Breed Club to see if they have resources for you!

The attractive salmon coloration that many hens display is specific to the breed. In fact, not even the roosters come out with that plumage! The hens and roosters are so dissimilar in coloration, in fact, that they are sometimes referred to as the “peacocks” of the chicken world.

Also, though Francophiles may be aware, both the plural and singular of Faverolles is “Faverolles.” Named after the eponymous village in France where it was developed, the name carries a spelling that may confuse some English speakers.