Houdans

[Chambertin]

Congrats on the win!

 

[exop]

I thought to myself "I wonder how many Zachs there are with Houdans?"

 

[zach N houdan]

Ya they do well at shows because they are rare I can't wait until I get some more from Dave and then I can breed a lot next year!

 

[exop]

Hi Chambertin,

I was interested that you were able to find Houdans locally in China. What do people think of them, and how are they being marketed (layers or meat birds)? Sold in lots of 500 - that speaks to some utility purpose.

A couple years ago, I came across a reference to a Chinese delegation which visited Europe in the not too distant past with the express purpose of importing Houdans to China. I'm foggy, but it's my impression that this took place during the late nineties, and that it was during the same period when France was trying to bring back the Houdan as a commercial meat bird - a regional specialty from the area of Houdan.

I've never found out anything else about the Chinese effort, although I'd like to: which businesses or people in China participated, who did they source their birds from in Europe, and what purpose did they envision for the Houdans... were they interested because of the reputation of the Houdan as a meat bird (and the media coverage of it at the time), or the novel appearance, or the five toes, sort of like the Silkie's "phoenix claws", which might give it some of the same éclat in the market?

I have been trying to find the site where I read about it, I think either a Belgian or Swiss club website but written in French, and will post details if I manage to dig it up!

 

[Chambertin]

I can answer some of the questions.
First the bird is well known in my part of South China as a great dual purpose bird. Lays well until its time to eat, or eats well and can lay some eggs on the side. The great attraction of the breed is that farmers can leave it be and take what the market wants.
Also I hardly see any sex linked chickens in the market or breeding programs so having an egg laying bird where you can sell the meat of the cockerels is likely a big draw.

That being said the breed isn't called Houdan in the south and is barely known in the north (the English name in the brochure was "Fried Chicken," no joke!). While the breeders we buy from are generational for the breed its possible the proper name and breed as a whole is unknown to the mass market in China. With so much of the food trade done in live animals its still a very local produce market compared to the west. So what works best is whats available and things might not change for years even if every other place nearby does.

I'll keep an eye out for any more information and when I go back home I'll try to get over to the breeder and ask some questions. Back in the US for school and a job writing inspection manuals for a factory, but will be going back for a week in August.

Some see our chickens and talk about how they also like Houdans for the dual purpose and hardiness, others think they are really awesome looking and cant believe we eat them, others want to take them home to their grandmas farm. We are always happy to give a few fertile eggs to try to propagate the line in new places.

Last, the feet wouldnt really be a big selling point. The "Black Phoenix" or Silkie feet are black skinned and boned and used for medicinal soups and good luck so the Houdan has little to offer other than extra toe skin. They have had black and will never go back.

Absolutely interesting and I will look for more, Thanks!

 

[exop]

How interesting! It's great, if unexpected, that the Houdan is doing so well in China!

Sadly, the French effort to market it commercially fizzled out around 2009. In part, it was the long, rectangular shape of the carcass, which may have confused consumers, but it was mostly the expense - the breed was being reared for much longer before going to market. I read a recommendation of 5 months of age for a roasting hen, which is two months older than a Poulet Bresse. But the long window of edibility would be a plus if you were in no hurry to sell all of your chickens right away.

I should mention, I've fought my way through several web pages about the Chinese silkie (by which I mean, the types of wū gǔ jī which are white and furry), albeit in mangled translation, and it does sound as if the five toes, fur and crest are all considered special, though the black flesh is by far the most important thing. Got to say, I am envious of your time in China, not only for the food which you must have access to but also for all the Chinese chicken breeds... I would love to get a first hand look at a number of breeds, including some of the traditional Chinese black fleshed ones which share the title 'wū gǔ jī' with the Silkie.

When I did a search just now to try and find pics of some black fleshed single combed Chinese chickens to illustrate this post, I stumbled right onto a Sichuan website where surreally, the Houdan is listed right alongside a number of Chinese breeds. Here's the link (in Chinese)
...and here are a couple of pictures from it:






The website gives the Houdan breed name as 贵妃鸡, Guìfēi Jī, or "Royal Chicken" as translated by Google, how flattering!
These are some of the birds I was originally looking for, but how much apter for the Houdan thread to post pics of Houdans instead

 

[Chambertin]

Its interesting the website looks similar to the place we bought our chickens from, but about half the birds are different.
So many things look the same from city to city in China, heck in most of Asia its very similar. Kinda like small town USA, its just a matter of where things are on the town map.
I think those are a Cemai / Silkie / ? hybrid because I havnt seen a red comb, or leaf comb on the Silkies in China. Most every one has a walnut comb.
Very nice looking birds though.

I'm trying to find the website of the place I buy from so you can check out the other breeds, their Silkies are something else. Huge compared to what we expect of them and lots of personality too.
Although nothing compared to a Houdan, they're lots of fun in themselves.
Good toes & crest get the price up, but as you say more about the color.

Missing my chickens every day.

 

[popsicle]

I received two Houdan chicks in an assorted order from Cackle. I gave one away to a friend (a pullet) and the one I kept ended up being a cockerel. My intention was always to butcher the Houdan, to see how he fared as a meat bird.

I managed to get my hands on the wild cockerel last night, and I'd say he seems quite small to butcher. He's currently 14 weeks old--and I'd say he's smaller than an Easter Egger I butchered at 12 weeks (but who knows what breeds made up the EE). So, what is the normal age that this breed was typically butchered? I thought I've read that Cackle had fairly good quality Houdans.

I think the bird is stunning, and I love how he darts through the grass. I've been considering keeping him around, but he's a bit aggressive with the hens (that are too young anyhow).

 

[zach N houdan]

I won Best in Show today again with my Houdan Hen at our 4H county fair there were about 100 JR birds

 

[LemonMeringue]

I won Best in Show today again with my Houdan Hen at our 4H county fair there were about 100 JR birds

Thats great Zach, Congrats! Are you able to post pics of your hen?

Sadly we are either going to have to rehome or butcher. He was supposed to have a home lined up already but it fell through. The only reason he has to go is because of the noise level......just too loud for the neighbors.