Faverolles Thread

[Freeholder]

I have some questions about Faverolles. I'm still trying to settle on one breed to raise, and Faverolles, large fowl, are on my short list....

First, how are they are foraging? Are they fairly hardy, or delicate to raise? And has anyone butchered one? I know they were originally raised for meat more than for eggs, and am wondering how good a meat bird they are (I know they aren't going to look like a Cornish Cross).

Kathleen

 

[hcammack]

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Hey kathleen,
My faverolle bantams are alright foragers they rarely get to free range though. My LF favs kept up very week with delewares and ameraucana free ranging every day. I haven't butchered favs but my hens were really heavy birds if you get good exibition or breeder quality stock they should be nice and heavy.
Hope you get some more good advice,
Henry

 

[Freeholder]

Thank you, Henry. I'm basically trying to decide between Faverolles and Buckeyes, and I think Buckeyes might be too active to be cooped or in tractors all the time.

Kathleen

 

[hcammack]

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If you are tractoring I can 100% reccomend faverolles mine are tractored and do very very well

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

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I don't have any experience with Buckeyes, but I can tell you that my favs never try to get out of their coop.

Many of the various breeds in my layer coop try to run out every time I open the door though...(can't free range here, I have a pair of bald eagles that love nothing more than chicken brunch).

 

[thechickonthehill]

Hi Kathleen!

I have only had Faverolles since June of this year but I will share my experience so far with you. I ordered them as day-old chicks from Meyer and had zero problems raising them. One of the cockerels had a crossed beak and an eye that was damaged during shipping so I knew early on that he was headed for the frying pan. I processed him at 16 weeks and the meat was delicious. I did not keep him separate from the rest of the flock or feed him any differently and there was still a fair amount of meat. Faverolles seem to be a pretty solid bird for their size - at least mine do. My Faverolles free range right along with the rest of my flock and do just fine. I have noticed that when I have to keep the flock in during bad weather they seem to be just as content (unlike some of my other birds that try to bolt out the door every time I come in). I also love that they just keep on steadily laying eggs regardless of the time of year. My two pullets began to lay in October and haven't missed a beat yet. All of my Faverolles are very friendly and laid back - even my rooster. They have become my favorite of the breeds that I have.

 

[Freeholder]

Thanks to all of you! I really like what I've read about Buckeyes, but I do think that the Faverolles will work better in our situation (one acre lot with close neighbors, so I can't really free-range). I've wanted some Faverolles for a long time, guess I'll be getting some in the spring!

Kathleen

 

[hcammack]

I'm glad we could add another person to the slowly growing rank of faverolle enthusiasts. I may be selling some of my LF flock and breeding exclusivelly faverolles and maybe 1 other bantam breed. I am going to decide in the next two weeks my ameraucana rooster might not be fertile and if that is the case I will most likelyb sell most or all my large fowl flock and hatch tons of faverolles.

 

[zchickens]

I also love my faverolles - sadly my roo had to become dinner as he became agressive around my kids, so I will need to get a new roo (I need to bring in a new line anyways, as fertility seemed to be an issue w/that roo). I currently have four hens - some pictures:

My daughter holding one of the hens:

Another hen (picture from this summer)

I got my orginal stock from Duane Urch, and I think they are fairly good quality. I have only kept chickens for less than two years, so I may not be a very good judge.....

Z

 

[hcammack]

Pretty favs