Houdan chicken

Houdan chicken

A French ornamental bird, Houdan was developed from Polish, Crevecoeurs, and possibly Dorkings breeds. 

Houdans were commonly raised on small farms around the towns in Normandy, France. Considered dual-purpose birds, these birds are raised for their fine, tender, and juicy white meat with delicate bones, as well as their ability to produce an ample amount of eggs each year. 

They come in two varieties: mottled and white. 

Mottled is a blended mixture of two colors. 

In this case, it is typically black and white. 

The chicks are a fluffy ball of black and white markings with the beginnings of its trademark crest just starting to flare out. 

The white variety was created in America.

The origins of the Houdan chicken breed are unknown; as they predate modern agricultural chicken  writing, little can be said with certainty. 

Houdans have a V-shaped comb. 

Their legs are clean, and they have five toes.

 Four of the toes are at the bottom of the chicken’s leg, and the fifth toe is higher up on the leg.

Their crest, which is a puff of feathers atop the head, is their most noted feature. 

As with all crested breeds, they need to be checked for mites and lice daily. 

The roosters weigh 8 pounds and the hens weigh 6 ½ pounds. 

Houdan bantams are a delicate bird at about 3 pounds. 

The standard hen lays medium, white eggs regularly, totaling about 100 eggs yearly.

Bantam hens are sporadic and are not proficient layers.

Houdans are easy to handle as they have a gentle nature. They are a good show bird. They make good pets, too. They are available at most hatcheries or online. Even though they are flighty birds, they bear confinement well. All they need is some room to run and a roost at night to be content.