The Barbezieux hen is a breed of French domestic hen, originating from the Barbezieux region in Charente. Description
The Barbezieux hen is one of the largest breeds of the European type. It is rustic, high, powerful and adapted to the clay-limestone soil of its cradle of origin: the south of the Charente. It is a dual-purpose breed, producing chickens and hens that lay large white eggs (approx. 200 eggs/year). Origin This section does not sufficiently cite its sources (December 2019).
The Barbezieux hen is a rare1 hen; presumed extinct, it is once again expanding, with a fairly large herd and subjects increasingly conforming to the standard.
The current individuals would come from a few individuals found by chance on a farm in its region of origin, mixed with Asian hens (presence of red mumps during hatching). Reward
The Barbezieux hen won the 1st prize in the Paris competition of 18602. The Barbezieux hen today
However [not neutral], currently [When?], subjects conforming to the standard are bred in his region of origin; it should also be noted [style to review] the recent creation of a quality chicken production chain with a label marked "Chicken of the Barbezieux breed, old breed", thanks to the efforts of ASPOULBA (Association for the safeguard of the hen of Barbezieux)3. In 2003, ASPOULBA drew up regional specifications bringing together 5 breeders and defining the criteria for production, feeding and slaughtering in a defined territory4.
In order to preserve this breed, unrivaled until the 19th century, and its genetic heritage, the result of a long adaptation to its environment, it is necessary to systematically exclude from breeding subjects showing signs of interbreeding or breeding heterogeneous chicks.
The period between the wars had got the better of the Barbezieux hen, because the fashion had passed to the consumption of brown eggs, participating in its decline and benefiting other "synthetic" breeds, in particular industrial vocation, coming from the United States, as well as the marans, geographically close. Features
Ideal mass: Cock: > 4.5 kg; Hen: > 3.5 kg
Crest: single
Mumps: white
Eye color: orange-red
Skin color: white
Plumage varieties: only black
Hatching eggs: min. 75 g, white shell
Diameter of the rings: cock: 22 mm; hen: 20 mm
Gastronomy
Barbezieux is famous for its production of capons, particularly appreciated by the French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin5. official club
Poule de Barbezieux - Club de France in Barbezieux, created in 1997. Official website: barbezieuxclub.jimdo.com [archive]
Association for the protection of the hen of Barbezieux (Aspoulba) at Salles-de-Barbezieux. Official website: aspoulba.fr [archive]
The Barbezieux hen is a breed of French domestic hen, originating from the Barbezieux region in Charente.
Description
The Barbezieux hen is one of the largest breeds of the European type. It is rustic, high, powerful and adapted to the clay-limestone soil of its cradle of origin: the south of the Charente. It is a dual-purpose breed, producing chickens and hens that lay large white eggs (approx. 200 eggs/year).
Origin
This section does not sufficiently cite its sources (December 2019).
The Barbezieux hen is a rare1 hen; presumed extinct, it is once again expanding, with a fairly large herd and subjects increasingly conforming to the standard.
The current individuals would come from a few individuals found by chance on a farm in its region of origin, mixed with Asian hens (presence of red mumps during hatching).
Reward
The Barbezieux hen won the 1st prize in the Paris competition of 18602.
The Barbezieux hen today
However [not neutral], currently [When?], subjects conforming to the standard are bred in his region of origin; it should also be noted [style to review] the recent creation of a quality chicken production chain with a label marked "Chicken of the Barbezieux breed, old breed", thanks to the efforts of ASPOULBA (Association for the safeguard of the hen of Barbezieux)3. In 2003, ASPOULBA drew up regional specifications bringing together 5 breeders and defining the criteria for production, feeding and slaughtering in a defined territory4.
In order to preserve this breed, unrivaled until the 19th century, and its genetic heritage, the result of a long adaptation to its environment, it is necessary to systematically exclude from breeding subjects showing signs of interbreeding or breeding heterogeneous chicks.
The period between the wars had got the better of the Barbezieux hen, because the fashion had passed to the consumption of brown eggs, participating in its decline and benefiting other "synthetic" breeds, in particular industrial vocation, coming from the United States, as well as the marans, geographically close.
Features
Ideal mass: Cock: > 4.5 kg; Hen: > 3.5 kg
Crest: single
Mumps: white
Eye color: orange-red
Skin color: white
Plumage varieties: only black
Hatching eggs: min. 75 g, white shell
Diameter of the rings: cock: 22 mm; hen: 20 mm
Gastronomy
Barbezieux is famous for its production of capons, particularly appreciated by the French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin5.
official club
Poule de Barbezieux - Club de France in Barbezieux, created in 1997. Official website: barbezieuxclub.jimdo.com [archive]
Association for the protection of the hen of Barbezieux (Aspoulba) at Salles-de-Barbezieux. Official website: aspoulba.fr [archive]
(post is archived)