Euskal Oiloa
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Wissenswertes
Euskal Oiloa eggs hold a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) under European law — meaning only eggs from certified Basque Hens raised in the Basque Autonomous Community can be sold under the name. This makes the Euskal Oiloa egg one of only a handful of chicken eggs in the world with the same legal protection as Champagne or Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The traditional farmyard chicken of the Basque Country (Euskadi) in northern Spain and south-west France, recognised in four distinct varieties by the EE Europastandard: Marraduna (cuckoo-buff, the most common), Gorria (red-partridge), Lepasoila (naked-neck), and Beltza (solid black). Euskal Oiloa means 'Basque Hen' in the Basque language, and the breed has been part of Basque agricultural life for centuries. A robust, active dual-purpose bird, it was the everyday chicken of traditional Basque caseríos (farmsteads) and is now promoted as a regional heritage food animal with Protected Geographical Indication status for its eggs.
🏷️ Rasse
Euskal Oiloa (Basque Hen)
💭 Temperament
Active, alert, hardy, good forager, self-sufficient
📏 Größe
Medium (2.3-3.2 kg)
⏳ Lebenserwartung
5-8 years
🎨 Farben
Four varieties: Marraduna (cuckoo-buff), Gorria (red-partridge), Lepasoila (naked-neck, any colour), Beltza (solid black)
🌍 Herkunft
Spain/France — Basque Country (Euskadi); ancient regional breed
🏠 Lebensraum
Free-range; adapted to the wet, hilly Basque landscape and Atlantic climate
🍽️ Ernährung
Layer pellets; excellent forager on Basque mountain pasture and woodland edges
🎯 Zweck
Dual Purpose
🥚 Eifarbe
Tinted
👑 Kammtyp
Single
🏅 EE-Klasse
Large Fowl