Chicken Breed Focus - Fayoumi

[sumi]

The Fayoumis are a very old breed, originating in Egypt. They were named for the Faiyum Governorate southwest of Cairo and west of the Nile. Fayoumis are a hardy breed and particularly well suited to hot climates. The breed, through poultry genetics research and anecdotal reports, is thought to be especially resistant to viral and bacterial infections. They are also very good foragers, and if left to their own devices on a free range basis they can fend for themselves in a nearly feral manner. Fayoumi hens are good layers of small, off-white eggs. They are not given to broodiness as pullets, but can be when they reach two or three years of age. The breed is fast to mature, with hens laying by four and half months, and cockerels crowing at five or six weeks.


Details:

Detail Value
Breed Purpose Ornamental
Comb Single
Broodiness Seldom
Climate Tolerance Heat
Egg Productivity Low
Egg Size Small
Egg Color White
Breed Temperament Flighty
Breed Colors/Varieties They come in one variety - silver and black penciled
Breed Size Large Fowl





Both pics by @boorock

BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/fayoumis

BYC Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/544351/egyptian-fayoumis-thread/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/398910/fayoumis/0_30

Do you own Fayoumis? Are you a Fayoumi breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Well, I'm not a breeder or anything, and I'm sure my girl was not the greatest in quality, but I did have just one Fayoumi and I absolutely adored her! I got her along with a variety of other white eggers from Meyer Hatchery because I wanted to try a few of the white egg breeds and see whose personalities I liked out of them. She was the sassiest, mouthiest little hen I'd ever known, but she was such a sweetheart when she knew her friends weren't looking and her tough-girl reputation wouldn't be tarnished. That bird would climb up my arms to my shoulder or snuggle up with me hugging her, but if she thought for a second that the other birds might see her or that I was going to take her picture, she would book it out of there! She was so adventurous and fun, although it got her in trouble quite a few times! Actually, that's how I lost her--she flew over the 6-foot fence into the dog yard, and that was it. :/ But I adored that bird so much and if the opportunity arises I'd be glad to get more of them--they just probably would have a nice wing trimming or something to prevent the same from happening again. I will say, from my experience, I wouldn't want to raise them in a situation where they would have to remain in confinement or in a small back yard. These birds are adventurers, and they don't take fences as anything more than a mere suggestion of their boundaries! I could definitely believe they can survive out there on their own without intervention!


Marama the mighty. She was probably the smallest hen in the flock, excluding the Sebright bantams, but boy was she full of attitude!

Sassy, sassy, sassy!

And MOUTHY, too!

Don't forget the dramatic eye shadow, for flair.

She knew she could get away with anything. This is her giving me attitude while standing in one of the flower pots.

She was exceptionally heat tolerant, but the cold never slowed her down for a second, either.

Some evidence of her sweet side, although by the look on her face she was quite indignant about me taking her picture at that very moment.

The little dinosaur as a baby, just as full of attitude as she was later in life:

 

[maralpz2006]

. .

. . These are mine i love them , but they fight and they are mean with other ckickens

 

[PraiseGod]

I like my fayoumis a lot. She is noisy and has quite an attitude when she wants. I get more eggs from her than I ever expected.

[/IMG]

 

[PraiseGod]

 

[smudge]

For those who are wondering about non-desert conditions...

This is my Fayoumi with her best friend Fancy, a Buff Brahma. I've been taking care of this Brahma for my neighbor, as she had been hen pecked until her back was bare and bloody. Fay saw her and befriended her.

 

[PraiseGod]

For those who are wondering about non-desert conditions... This is my Fayoumi with her best friend Fancy, a Buff Brahma. I've been taking care of this Brahma for my neighbor, as she had been hen pecked until her back was bare and bloody. Fay saw her and befriended her.

good point to mention. Mine had no problem with an unheated and uninsulated coop. I live up in montana and we had some pretty cold snaps this past winter.

 

[windylou1]

Well, I'm not a breeder or anything, and I'm sure my girl was not the greatest in quality, but I did have just one Fayoumi and I absolutely adored her! I got her along with a variety of other white eggers from Meyer Hatchery because I wanted to try a few of the white egg breeds and see whose personalities I liked out of them. She was the sassiest, mouthiest little hen I'd ever known, but she was such a sweetheart when she knew her friends weren't looking and her tough-girl reputation wouldn't be tarnished. That bird would climb up my arms to my shoulder or snuggle up with me hugging her, but if she thought for a second that the other birds might see her or that I was going to take her picture, she would book it out of there! She was so adventurous and fun, although it got her in trouble quite a few times! Actually, that's how I lost her--she flew over the 6-foot fence into the dog yard, and that was it. :/ But I adored that bird so much and if the opportunity arises I'd be glad to get more of them--they just probably would have a nice wing trimming or something to prevent the same from happening again. I will say, from my experience, I wouldn't want to raise them in a situation where they would have to remain in confinement or in a small back yard. These birds are adventurers, and they don't take fences as anything more than a mere suggestion of their boundaries! I could definitely believe they can survive out there on their own without intervention!


Marama the mighty. She was probably the smallest hen in the flock, excluding the Sebright bantams, but boy was she full of attitude!

Sassy, sassy, sassy!

And MOUTHY, too!

Don't forget the dramatic eye shadow, for flair.

She knew she could get away with anything. This is her giving me attitude while standing in one of the flower pots.

She was exceptionally heat tolerant, but the cold never slowed her down for a second, either.

Some evidence of her sweet side, although by the look on her face she was quite indignant about me taking her picture at that very moment.

The little dinosaur as a baby, just as full of attitude as she was later in life:

Great pictures, I love her looks

 

[windylou1]

Great pictures, I love her looks

I think after your great pics , I need some of those pretty girls

 

[allosaurusrock]

Agreed! They look so elegant.