Houdan

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The Houdan, originally a French bird, has 5 toes suggesting that it may be related to the Dorking - also with a fifth toe. V- shaped comb sits against the bird’s crest. The Houdan is a glossy green black background with pure white mottles. It has a full crest, beard and muffs; the Houdan has a comb resembling a butterfly at the base of the beak. It was first exported to England in 1850, and to North America in 1865. It also appeared in the first edition of the American Standard of Perfection in 1874. With an attractive appearance, the Houdan combines the distinctive features of the breeds that contributed to its development. The Crèvecœur and Polish gave the Houdan its crest, and the Dorking (or perhaps other native French chickens) are thought have to resulted in the Houdan’s five toes (most chickens have only four). Houdans have small earlobes and wattles hidden by the crest and feather bearding.

In terms of plumage, the Houdan comes in two common colour varieties: White and Mottled (black with white spotting). Originally a dual–purpose fowl kept for both eggs and meat, the Houdan today is primarily a rare show bird. However, with a fairly quick rate of maturation and the ability to lay a respectable number of white eggs, it is still occasionally kept in backyard flocks.

Classification

Rare – heavy

Appearance

Glossy green black background with pure white mottles.

Weight

Cock	3.2 – 3.6 Kg
Hen	2.7 – 3.3 Kg

Bantam Variety Houdan

Rooster	670 – 690g
Hen	620 – 740g

Egg Colour

White