A little bit about Faverolles…..

 

 

As the name suggests these are a French bird originating in a small village called "Faverolles" located in northern France.

There are many debates around the origin of the faverolles but I think the consensus is they are a mixture of Dorking, Brahma, Houdin and Cochin. This combination worked well to create a useful table fowl as well as good layer of medium tinted eggs.

Faverolles came to the UK in 1886 where it was used commercially for a while as a good egg layer, however primarily as a meat bird. These qualites remain key today, and although a beautiful bird in the garden and on the show bench, it is important to recognise that the Faverolles are first and foremost a traditional meat bird,it is important to consider these qualities in type when breeding. A heavy, wide shouldered solid bird with good weight is preferred.

 

Appearance

Originally bred as large fowl their bantam counterparts are now available, lovely friendly birds about one-third the size of Large fowl and which lay surprisingly large eggs for a bantam bird.

The standard colours are salmon, black, blue, ermine ,buff and white with the most common colour being the "salmon" variety. The  Salmon cockerels are a lovely contrast  to the hens having a black breast, mahogany back, chestnut wings compared to the softer warm salmon and creamy white breasts of the hens. A faverolles flock would look lovely in anyones garden!

Physically the faverolles should have a "cloddy" appearance, demonstrating their dual purpose origins. They should have a fifth toe turned up at the back of the foot. Fluffy feet (although not cochin-like please!)and muffling and beard -with the beard nice and full, separate from the muffling.

Nature

Lovely, docile birds that when handled do become quite tame and will easily eat  from your hand. (kitchen or cat food bowl if not careful!)

The large version only "play" at being broody and that may last a maximum of a week in my experience before they get back to the business of laying eggs! Bantam faverolles do go broody and will happily sit then mother their clutch once hatched.

I would watch them in a mixed flock however, as because they are great softies -may be bullied by more gregarious breeds.