Penedesenca
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Dato Curioso
The Penedesenca's carnation comb is a completely unique anatomical structure found in no other chicken breed — a flat circular arrangement of up to a dozen fine points forming a ring, resembling a carnation flower from above. The gene controlling it is entirely distinct from all other known comb genes.
A rare Catalan breed from the Penedès wine region of Catalonia, best known for producing some of the darkest brown eggs of any breed — deep chocolate-brown shells that rival even the Marans. Penedesencas are immediately distinguished by their extraordinary carnation comb, a flat ring of multiple points resembling the petals of a carnation flower, found in no other breed in the world. An active, hardy Mediterranean layer, the Penedesenca was rescued from near-extinction in the 1980s by Catalan conservation breeders and is now recognised by both the EE Europastandard and the Société Centrale Avicole de France (SCAF).
🏷️ Raza
Penedesenca
💭 Temperamento
Active, alert, flighty, independent, excellent forager
📏 Tamaño
Medium (2.3-2.7 kg)
⏳ Esperanza de vida
5-8 years
🎨 Colores
Black (most common); also Wheaten, Partridge, Crele — all with the distinctive carnation comb
🌍 Origen
Spain — Penedès, Catalonia; ancient breed; conservation programme from 1980s
🏠 Hábitat
Free-range; adapted to warm, dry Mediterranean conditions of Catalonia
🍽️ Dieta
Layer pellets; excellent forager on Mediterranean scrubland and vineyard margins
🎯 Propósito
Egg
🥚 Color del huevo
Dark Brown
👑 Tipo de cresta
Carnation
🏅 Clase EE
Large Fowl