Salmon Faverolles

History

The Salmon Faverolles is a fun, friendly breed named after the village of Faverolles in northern France. Originally developed as a competitor to another popular French breed, the Houdan, the Faverolles has been increasing in popularity after its introduction stateside in the early 1900s. There are many reasons why the Faverolles have become such a beloved breed, growing stronger with each passing year. They are great for small backyard flocks thanks to their dual-purpose nature and hardiness. In addition, they make perfect pet chickens due to their carefree temperaments.

Salmon Faverolle temperment and good-to-knows

The Salmon Faverolles’ most important trait is their temperament, a jovial attitude unique to the breed. They are regarded as fun, friendly, and talkative. Owners report them being remarkably active around the yard when in the presence of their owners, always wanting to be a part of the action. They are well-behaved with little to no aggression, making them strong candidates for family pets. All Faverolles should be receptive to handling and may wish to be held by their owners. Their fluffy feathers make them cozy lap chickens, too. Since they are so friendly, they do not mix well with more dominant breeds. If you are keeping Faverolles in your flock, try to keep with other docile breeds. If your Faverolles hens end up as the target of bullying, make sure they have space to escape and calm down.

While appearances may suggest an ornamental chicken, the Faverolles is well-known for their egg production, reaching around 200 eggs a year. This is no small number! This egg laying capabilities makes them exceedingly attractive chicken breed for backyard flocks or those looking for a utilitarian chicken with family-friendly traits. It is easy to hatch your Faverolles eggs, too, since the breed tends to go broody and has a strong reputation for motherly hens. If you are looking to avoid this in your hens, Faverolles can still be coaxed out of their broodiness through careful and consistent manipulation. Today, they are not often seen as meat chickens, but they can reach the appropriate size and have been used as such in France.

Visual characteristics of Salmon Faverolle birds

At first glance, what stands out most about the Salmon Faverolles is their deep, stocky build. The structure of their bodies is sturdy. They have an abundance of fluffy feathers that make their bodies seem bulkier than they truly are, especially when combined with their bearded muffs and feathered feet. Their bulky feathers exaggerate their natural body shape. This abundance of feathers allows them plenty of real estate to show off their beautiful colors. The Salmon Faverolles, like its name suggests, is covered in salmon-colored feathers that smoothly transition towards an off-white or straw color. They have a greyish-white undercover which reaches all the way down to their lightly feathered legs and feet. They have upright combs that range from deep red to a lighter pink. In size they are deceptively average, with hens around 6 lbs., and roosters at 8 lbs.

Health and care

The Salmon Faverolles is a cold-hardy breed thanks to their bulky feathering. They can handle cold climates especially well, but when the summer rolls around they should be provided with plenty of shade and areas to cool off. Since they are well adapted to cold weather, they are in turn less suited to hot climates and will struggle with extreme heat. They tolerate confinement well as it was bred into them as part of their original conception. As free rangers, though, they make good foragers, keeping themselves active. A fence should be enough to contain your Faverolles as they are not fliers.

Faverolles are a healthy breed that is not known to suffer from any congenital health defects. This makes them good for first-time owners with backyard coops, as long as they keep up with general bird maintenance, like avoiding parasites and providing the proper nutrition. The feathered feet of Faverolles can quickly become dirty or even suffer from scaly leg mites, which should be your primary care concern. Making sure to routinely clean and check the feet of your Salmon Faverolles will keep you informed and your chickens healthy!

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Are Salmon Faverolles chickens good for meat production?

They are not typically raised for meat production, as they are a smaller breed and have a more delicate frame.

What is the temperament of Salmon Faverolles chickens?

They are known for being friendly, docile and gentle birds, making them a great choice for backyard coops.

Do Salmon Faverolles chickens do well in colder climates?

Yes, their thick plumage helps them tolerate colder temperatures well.

Are Salmon Faverolles chickens good with children?

Yes, they are known for their friendly and docile nature, making them great family pets.