Features Of Keeping And Breeding Chickens Of The Faverol Breed

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In the center of France, namely in the town of Faverolles, about three hundred years ago the breed of chickens of the same name was bred. Obtained as a result of crossing Mantas, Houdans, Brahms, Cochins, and Dorkings. The breed was originally bred for meat to make a gourmet broth. Now they are often shown at exhibitions.

In this article, we will consider the characteristics of firewood and the features of their maintenance at home. You will find out why this is one of the most popular French breeds and is in great demand among poultry farmers. We will also share with you useful tips on care and feeding.

What do fireball chickens look like?

1. Size. Faverolles chickens belong to the middle category. Adults reach a height of about 30–35 cm and weigh about 2.6–3.2 kg. They have a wide, deep chest and a long back, which turns into a short tail. The wings fit quite tightly to the rather bulky body. Compared to roosters, females are heavier and stockier, but quite agile.
2. Color. They have a dense layer of feathers that protects them well from low temperatures. The main color of the bird is orange-pink/salmon, the crest is brown or creamy white. The neck, back, and tail are a darker red-brown shade, and the rest of the body is covered with milky feathers. Roosters are darker, with black, brown, and pale yellow feathers. But other varieties can be white, black, spotted, and blue, but they are less common.
3. Head. It is set on a strong but relatively short neck, which is covered by a lush collar of feathers (in females), which even covers part of the back. It resembles a beard or large sideburns. The head is small in size, slightly flattened, and crowned with an erect crest. The earlobes are hidden under the plumage. The beak is short and strong and may have a white or slightly pinkish tint.
4. Legs. They have plumage. Five fingers, while the claws are quite long, and the fifth is curved upward. There is no Hawk Heel.
5. Egg shape and color. Slightly narrower than a regular chicken, medium in size, oblong with a pronounced nose. The color of eggs ranges from light brown to pinkish. The weight of one piece is 55–65 g.
6. Temperament. They have a friendly and calm character. They are flexible, quickly get used to, and become attached to their owners. They are not aggressive, so they get along well with other breeds. When walking, they like to stop and watch other individuals.

As already noted, a rooster and a chicken differ in size, feather cover, and color. How to determine that chickens are not faverolles? One of the first signs is underdeveloped muscles. Non-breeding is indicated by a too-squat or, on the contrary, tall body, a thin and excessively short neck, a back with unevenness, including an excessively arched one, as well as a long and sharp tail. The mixed breed is also indicated by the absence of a characteristic fifth claw, sparse plumage on the neck, a yellow beak, and a disproportionate crest.

Productivity

Faverol refers to the meat and egg direction. Chickens weigh 3–4 kg, roosters 3.6–4.5 kg. With balanced and intensive feeding, active weight gain begins after two months. Readiness for slaughter – in 4–4.5 months. The meat is white, tender, not too fibrous, distinguished by tenderness, rich taste, and some similarity to the game. It is believed that a special aroma comes from cooking pasture-raised poultry. With age (up to 3 years), the meat does not become coarse and tough. The carcass is easy to cut due to the thin skin and simple plucking without singeing.

Eggs begin to be laid at approximately 6 months of age, and the length of daylight is important – at least 13 hours. In the first year, egg production can reach 160 eggs, in subsequent years it remains at the level of 110–130 eggs per year. Oviposition persists even in severe frosts.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the productivity of the intra-breed type – dwarf fireball. The weight of roosters is 1.1 kg, and that of chickens is 1 kg. With this size, a high level of egg production is maintained – 120 eggs per year. The average weight of one egg is 40 g.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Breed

1. Fast weight gain. Poultry can be slaughtered for 4–4.5 months, which is, of course, longer compared to broilers, but less than some other meat and all-purpose breeds.
2. Beautiful and unusual appearance. Some poultry farmers breed firebirds to participate in exhibitions. Beautiful plumage, lush “collars” on females, and interesting “beards” on males. This makes them especially attractive to bird lovers.
3. Egg production. With an average of up to 130 eggs per year, they are an excellent choice for those who want fresh eggs every day, even during the colder months.
4. High-quality meat. They have a delicate and juicy taste while containing little fat. It is the meat of faverolles that is chosen for preparing restaurant delicacies.
5. Good adaptation. Can withstand harsh winters and hot summer days. This makes them suitable for breeding in different regions.
6. Character. Although they are quite active, they are calm, and friendly, and get along easily with other breeds.
7. Disease resistance. With proper care, the risk of losing offspring is minimal. It is necessary to carefully monitor the litter so that it is always dry.

Among the disadvantages:

• high price;
• limited availability;
• predisposition to obesity;
• careful care.

Varieties

The most rare firewoods are those that are blue and white. It can be mixed with a traditional salmon shade. The Columbian and Adler varieties have gray and black flight feathers with white tips. There may be black stripes on the head and tail, giving off blue and green shades.

The breeding of the dwarf line belongs to German breeders. In addition to its size, the bird also has a more temperamental character.

Features Of Feeding

When growing, dry mixtures and industrial feed are preferred. Homemade mashes have a viscous texture, which contributes to excessive contamination of the plumage and pecking of food from each other, which becomes a cause of injury and a source of infection. Pay attention to the products of “Southern Crown”. From us, you can buy feed according to the age group of the bird – “Start” and “Growth”, as well as the stage of egg production.

Advantages of feeding chickens with factory mixtures:

1. Nutrient balance. Factory feeds are formulated to meet the needs of poultry, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. This helps provide optimal nutrition for the chickens’ growth and development.
2. Safety. They undergo strict quality control to ensure that they do not contain harmful substances or microorganisms. This helps prevent disease and improves the overall health of the bird.
3. Ease of use. Presented in a ready-made form, they do not require additional processing or mixing with other ingredients.
4. Economic efficiency. We offer feed at an affordable price in bulk. This saves money on poultry production.
5. Improved performance. Balanced feeding promotes rapid weight gain, and improves the quality and quantity of eggs and meat.
6. Satisfying consumer needs. Factory-made feeds ensure compliance with high safety standards, which is important for those who want to be confident in the quality of meat and eggs.

During the first three days, chickens are fed every 2–3 hours, then until they are one month old they switch to 6–8 meals a day at equal intervals. Upon reaching the age of one month and up to 2 months, they eat 4 meals a day, excluding the night. From two months of age, chickens are fed three times a day.

To ensure that the chickens’ diet is as balanced as possible, they try to adhere to the following scheme:

1. In the first ten days of life, eggs are boiled and mixed with cottage cheese, semolina, or corn porridge.
2. On the fifth day, it is recommended to include chopped herbs, yeast, vegetables, and wheat bran in the mixture.
3. On the 60th day, the diet is enriched with grain, which is carefully crushed, and “Start” compound feed is included.

From three months the bird is considered an adult. In summer, the main food is pasture. Fireballs are excellent eaters of clover, nettles, alfalfa, peas and dandelions. The poultry is mainly walked, but additional feeding is carried out with compound feed and grain.

In winter, nettles beet, and carrot tops are collected and dried for feeding. The herbs are steamed before serving to the chickens. The basis of the diet is sprouted cereal grains, boiled pumpkin (without peel and seeds), carrots, beets, and zucchini. To avoid obesity, faverolles are rarely given potatoes. It is also useful to include dried spruce, fir or pine needles in your diet.

How To Keep Fireballs?

Caging is not suitable for birds. It is recommended to build a spacious enclosure. A chicken coop is also suitable for the bird, but it must have a large yard. Walking has a positive effect on all characteristics of the fireball breed. Thus, the fertilization of eggs increases, the immune system strengthens, and obesity disappears. In addition, the quality of daily-fed meat is much better in taste and fiber structure.

When maintaining it, you need to take into account that fireballs are not prone to tearing the beds. They also won’t need to build a high fence because they don’t like to fly. It is better to arrange the enclosure in the shade. If this is not possible, then it is recommended to equip an awning. This is because on hot days, due to the dense plumage, the bird may feel much worse. On the walk, there must be feeders, drinking bowls, and a sand-ash bath so that individuals can clean their feathers.

If you keep birds in a cramped chicken coop, the risk of mass disease increases. In addition, due to their fairly large size, individuals can injure each other and break their wings. An excessively crowded chicken coop also leads to an increase in food costs, since the birds trample down the feed excessively without eating it.

Perch poles are placed at a level from the ground of at least 30 cm. Tree trunks are chosen wider, cleared of twigs and branches, and carefully sanded. When making a stepped roost, it is necessary to provide a ladder to make it easier for the chickens to move around.

Conclusion

According to poultry farmers, fireballs are excellent for breeding in the American climate. Chickens quickly adapt to their living conditions. Lush plumage allows them to withstand cold weather well. Individuals quickly gain weight, are characterized by a high survival rate, and continue to lay eggs even in winter. In addition to the attractive appearance, the dietary and taste properties of the meat are noted. Despite the fairly high cost of incubation material and young animals, with proper maintenance and feeding, the farmer will be able to recoup the costs in the first year of raising the livestock.