Post pics of your hens and roosters!
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Black Penedesencas
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Extremely rare. They've been on the verge of extinction for nearly 100 years. They are rare in Spain, Argentina, Germany and Ireland. There may be about 2 or 3 flocks in Canada. I have the largest flock in North America and there are probably only 10 or 20 other people in the US that has any.
I posted the following in another thread a few days ago.
"They are recognized in Spain, Germany, Ireland and Argentina. The ALBC basically recognizes breeds that were in the U.S. by around 1900. The APA recognizes breeds with a minimum number of breeders and that have been standardized and shown for a specific amount of time. Penedesencas weren't imported till after 2000.
There are records of these birds in highly variable colors in the Catalonia region of Spain by the early 1900s. There was concern by 1928 that the breed might not survive. A professor made a patriotic call to those interested in helping to save the local Penedes chicken breed. By 1933 there were groups of breeders and in 1946 a standard for the black variety was recognized.
Very little was known about them in the ensuing decades and in 1982 recovery work was begun by a veterinarian to save them from extinction. Old breeders no longer had any stock but dark eggs continued to show up at farmers' markets. They learned that some farmers had small flocks of birds with slate legs, white earlobes, side appendages on their combs and laying very large, very dark eggs. The plumage was primarily partridge, wheaten with a few barred and black hens. Roosters were primarily black with red on the backs. (these traits continue to show up in my birds) These were clearly the last remnants of the old Penedes breed.
Obtaining eggs and a few birds from markets, work began at a poultry genetics unit at a University in Tarragon. With successive incubations, they raised the population to 300 birds and then they set about standardizing the 4 varieties. This work was done by the vet, Dr. Jorda and biologist Dr. Fransesch (who sadly died last summer).
The black was standardized as a DP bird while the others are egg varieties. The black was determined to be organoleptically unique with a special flavor. Since that time, they created an "improved" black variety. It is larger than the "classic" but in the process, it lost the white earlobe and the dark egg.
I'm devoted to the 'classic' black and am likely the largest breeder in North America.
There are very few breeders of a handful of birds scattered around the country."
I posted the following in another thread a few days ago.
"They are recognized in Spain, Germany, Ireland and Argentina. The ALBC basically recognizes breeds that were in the U.S. by around 1900. The APA recognizes breeds with a minimum number of breeders and that have been standardized and shown for a specific amount of time. Penedesencas weren't imported till after 2000.
There are records of these birds in highly variable colors in the Catalonia region of Spain by the early 1900s. There was concern by 1928 that the breed might not survive. A professor made a patriotic call to those interested in helping to save the local Penedes chicken breed. By 1933 there were groups of breeders and in 1946 a standard for the black variety was recognized.
Very little was known about them in the ensuing decades and in 1982 recovery work was begun by a veterinarian to save them from extinction. Old breeders no longer had any stock but dark eggs continued to show up at farmers' markets. They learned that some farmers had small flocks of birds with slate legs, white earlobes, side appendages on their combs and laying very large, very dark eggs. The plumage was primarily partridge, wheaten with a few barred and black hens. Roosters were primarily black with red on the backs. (these traits continue to show up in my birds) These were clearly the last remnants of the old Penedes breed.
Obtaining eggs and a few birds from markets, work began at a poultry genetics unit at a University in Tarragon. With successive incubations, they raised the population to 300 birds and then they set about standardizing the 4 varieties. This work was done by the vet, Dr. Jorda and biologist Dr. Fransesch (who sadly died last summer).
The black was standardized as a DP bird while the others are egg varieties. The black was determined to be organoleptically unique with a special flavor. Since that time, they created an "improved" black variety. It is larger than the "classic" but in the process, it lost the white earlobe and the dark egg.
I'm devoted to the 'classic' black and am likely the largest breeder in North America.
There are very few breeders of a handful of birds scattered around the country."
Last edited:
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- #5
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- #6
WOW! I really wish i had one!
You need ten or more. They need breeders. They're by far my favorite breed.
I edited my previous post you may want to reread.
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- #8
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