Houdan
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fait Amusant
Houdan was so synonymous with quality table poultry that 19th-century French menu language used 'Houdan chicken' as a mark of excellence. The town's coat of arms includes a chicken in its heraldry.
A distinguished French breed from the village of Houdan in the Île-de-France, famous since the 17th century as the premier table bird of the Paris market. The Houdan is immediately recognisable by its large butterfly-shaped V comb, full crest, muffled beard, and five toes — a combination of unique features found together in no other breed. Their mottled black-and-white plumage (called 'Houdan pattern') was once so prized that the town of Houdan held weekly poultry markets supplying Parisian restaurants.
🏷️ Race
Houdan
💭 Tempérament
Calm, friendly, docile, good with children
📏 Taille
Large (3.2-3.6 kg)
⏳ Espérance de vie
5-7 years
🎨 Couleurs
Mottled black and white with beetle-green sheen (most common); also white
🌍 Origine
France — Houdan, Île-de-France; documented from 17th century
🏠 Habitat
Tolerates confinement well; crest limits vision so needs safe housing
🍽️ Alimentation
Layer pellets; moderate forager
🎯 Usage
Meat
🥚 Couleur des œufs
White
👑 Type de crête
V-Shape
🏅 Classe EE
Large Fowl