Houdan Chickens

Breed Rating (6 Reviews)

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Friendliness
Hardiness
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Houdan History

The Houdan was originally called the 'Normandy Fowl' and was introduced to England in 1850. It is one of the oldest of the French breeds and was named after the town of Houdan. They are large, heavy looking birds, bred for the table and have a bold, active character. The head is large and crested with a short beak, leaf type comb, muffled face, small rounded wattles and earlobes. The legs are mottled black, free of feathers and like the Faverolles and Dorking, it has a fifth toe.

Houdan Behaviour

Being a heavy table bird, Cocks can weigh in at nearly 8lbs. They are calm, placid chickens and are fairly good layers of large eggs. They do tend towards broodiness but are not good sitters as they are too heavy and tend to break the eggs. They do need a special drinker as their large crest and beard get wet and dirty if they use conventional ones so require just a little water in a bowl. Houdan are extremely docile in nature and like to be handled especially if they have been raised from young. Hens make the best pets and will live 7-8 years.

Houdan Varieties

Houdans are actually only bred in a limited number of varieties, black mottled, white and lavender.

Houdan Pictures

Houdan For Sale

Please note: All animals listed here are for collection only. They cannot be delivered by the seller or by Omlet. The seller will send you their contact details to arrange payment and collection.

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Latest Reviews For Houdan (5 of 6)

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Based on 6 Verified Reviews

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Ok - Bobd, 26 November 2019

Therevcrap

What happened with our bird - Marie, 20 June 2019

Our cockerel would slit your throat. He's a nightmare. Brilliant with his girls + does allow a very docile cockerel to live in the group. Where did it go wrong if he's meant to be sweet natured. We didn't rear him ourself.

- Brandi, 9 July 2011

We have just had our houdan chick for about two weeks, but she is so sassy. It is really fun to watch her crest feathers come in...she looks like an eighties punk rocker!!! She is the smallest of our four chicks but she is also very inquisitive.

- Gem, 21 February 2011

i recently aquired a pair of houdans for showing, they are a stunning bird, although i had to build them their own specialist pen to keep them clean for the shows, usually keep hardier more practical birds, so this is a real novelty for me, dont know anyone else that has them :( which may cause me problems when continuing the bloodline. they are funny little things, brighten up the place, dont know why they are not more popular

My favourite chicken! - Eggregiousness, 4 February 2011

I love my Houdan -she is mad! Definitely the biggest character of my little bunch! Supercool and not phased by anything. A terrible egg layer, but I wouldn't be without her! She had been bullied when I got her and had no tail to speak of. Now she looks fabulous - especially with her crazy hairdo!

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