Coucou d'Izegem

A Belgian dual-purpose breed from the town of Izegem in West Flanders, developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by crossing local Flemish farm chickens with imported Asian breeds such as the Brahma and Langshan. The result was a large, heavily built bird with striking cuckoo (barred) plumage — hence the name 'Coucou', meaning cuckoo in French. Coucou d'Izegem hens are excellent layers of brown eggs and good mothers, while the cockerels grow into substantial table birds. The breed was once the dominant farm chicken across West Flanders, supplying eggs and meat to Flemish cities and markets. Industrial farming nearly eliminated it, but conservation efforts by Belgian breeders have stabilised the population. Recognised by the EE Europastandard.