Chicken Breed Focus - Houdan

[sumi]

Houdan is an old French breed, once known as the Normandy fowl. Details of their origin is unknown as they predate modern agricultural writing, but it is believed they were bred from Crevecoeurs, Polish and possibly Dorkings. The breed was first imported into England in 1850, and to North America in 1865. They were given the name Houdan because large numbers of these birds were bred in the town of Houdan in France. Once valued in France for their fine white meat and large eggs, they are now considered an ornamental breed, primarily used for exhibition.

In 1874 the Houdan appeared in the first edition of the American Standard of Perfection.

Details:

Detail Value
Breed Purpose Ornamental
Comb V-Shaped
Broodiness Seldom
Climate Tolerance All Climates
Egg Productivity Medium
Egg Size Medium
Egg Color White
Breed Temperament Bears confinement well,Docile
Breed Colors/Varieties Mottled, White
Breed Size Large Fowl



Pic by @corn pecker



Pic by @Chilifur


Pic by @Chilifur


Pic by @Amalthea

BYC Breed Reviews:

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

BYC Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/446495/houdans/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/462773/mottled-houdans/0_30


Do you own Houdans? Are you a Houdan 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/

 

[ChickenGrass]

Thanks for that sumi
They certainly do look different
I have never seen any of these for sale here in Ireland

 

[chickencrazy21]

Omg these are too cute! Im in the L.A. county in cali does anyone know where i can get some nearby im willing to drive about 4 hours or so!

 

[Tuhmu]

I would love to get into these someday, hopefully a breeder shows up in this thread.

 

[TwoCrows]

Wow, they sure are fun looking!

 

[SarahDru]

Got these guys at a feed store as chicks....think they are Hourans?

 

[chicknmania]

We had a Houdan puillet once named Moppit. She had the sweetest temperament. Very lovable bird.

 

[bockbock2008]

I have a trio of Houdans. The first pic shows some of the chicks I hatched from them about a month ago and the second pic is when I first got them a couple of years ago as young adults. The rooster, Einstein, is the meanest rooster I own but I still love him. I have found the chicks to be more fragile than most other breeds. I was able to raise 1 hen from my original pair last year. This year I hatched 4 and 3 have already died. They were in with other chicks the same age but they were the ones I lost.

 

[chickencraz]

Lots of people in my area have Polish, so I'd decided that I needed a crested bird that wasn't a polish, and picked Houdans. They are fun to watch run around and I like how big they are.

Our Houdans as chicks( and a Cochin and jersey giant)


Lumina, Pierre, Rhododendron & Aspara now 3 1/2 months old


Pierre, his adult molted feathers are just starting to come in.


Starhawk, he was injured as a chick, but now he's just like our other chickens.




Aspara

 

[Tuhmu]

Got these guys at a feed store as chicks....think they are Hourans?

Those appear to be polish...White Crested Blue Polish, I believe? Very handsome rooster there.