Hello. My name is Elsveta641 and I'm a chickoholic

[Elsveta641]

hello @Elsveta641 ! I hope you are enjoying BYC
I would appreciate your advice on something if you are willing to share it with me ...
I am considering adding Barbezieux to my flock of rare/heritage breeds, but it is very difficult to find much info about them; as someone who has experience of them, would you recommend them? Or are there particular issues/concerns to consider with them? I gather they are very big; is that an issue or are they just a bit bigger than a typical LF roo? Thanks

Well they dont do well in frigid temperatures that is the main thing that sticks out in my mind. My rooster only got up to 10lbs and was sold for that. The hens were also not that big, about 6lbs. But they are very beautiful chickens and the hens are very friendly and vocal, following you around squawking and always seem to want to know what you're doing. I'd not recommend them if you are just wanting truly huge chickens. But if you are wanting a good sized bird that is beautiful to watch and fun to be around I absolutely think you should get some. This hen is a year old

 

[Perris]

thanks for getting back to me; it is not as hot as their origin (south of France) here but doesn't get frigid either, so that shouldn't be an issue. Also I'd be happy if they don't grow into giants; what attracted me is the white eggs (which apparently may be tinted or even brown depending on their environment and diet - chalk and clay seems to be key to keep white), the very good flavour, and their critically low numbers. I'm trying to help rare and heritage breeds, but also want a colourful egg basket, and good flavour for any cocks that have to be culled - demanding eh?! on paper the Barbezeiux beats a minorca, ancona, andalusian & leghorn on all those criteria and as fate would have it I currently have a broody, friends on here said hatching in the fall should be fine, you are recommending them, and there's someone selling B hatching eggs about 2 hours away, so I take all that as a sign I should go for this

 

[Elsveta641]

thanks for getting back to me; it is not as hot as their origin (south of France) here but doesn't get frigid either, so that shouldn't be an issue. Also I'd be happy if they don't grow into giants; what attracted me is the white eggs (which apparently may be tinted or even brown depending on their environment and diet - chalk and clay seems to be key to keep white), the very good flavour, and their critically low numbers. I'm trying to help rare and heritage breeds, but also want a colourful egg basket, and good flavour for any cocks that have to be culled - demanding eh?! on paper the Barbezeiux beats a minorca, ancona, andalusian & leghorn on all those criteria and as fate would have it I currently have a broody, friends on here said hatching in the fall should be fine, you are recommending them, and there's someone selling B hatching eggs about 2 hours away, so I take all that as a sign I should go for this

One of my hens lay a chalk white egg. One lays a egg that is just like polished bone, a glossy and translucent yellowish beige.