Faverolle Chickens: Your Helpful Care Guide

Looking to add some charm and personality to your flock? Faverolle chickens might be just what you're looking for! These friendly, fluffy birds have been winning hearts for generations with their gentle nature and unique appearance. Whether you're new to chicken keeping or an experienced farmer, this guide will help you understand and care for these delightful birds.

What are Faverolle Chickens?

Have you ever seen a chicken that looks like it's wearing fuzzy pants and a beard? That's probably a Faverolle! These distinctive birds are known for their muff and beard (those fluffy feathers around their face), feathered feet, and soft, salmon-colored feathers in the most common variety. Favorelle chickens have five toes instead of the usual four, making them even more special. They are medium-sized birds with sweet personalities that make them perfect for families and backyard flocks.

A Brief History of Faverolle Chickens

Back in the late 1800s, in a small village called Faverolles in northern France, local farmers were looking to create the perfect utility chicken. They wanted birds that could provide eggs during the winter months, offer good meat, and handle the cold weather. By combining several breeds, including Houdan and Dorking chickens, they created what we now know as the Faverolle chicken. These birds quickly became popular throughout France and eventually made their way across Europe and to America, where chicken keepers fell in love with their gentle nature and winter-laying abilities.

Caring for Faverolle Chickens

Housing Heaven

Your Faverolles need a cozy, draft-free coop with plenty of ventilation. Those beautiful feathered feet can pick up moisture, so good airflow is essential! Provide about 4-5 square feet of coop space per bird, and make sure your roosts are nice and wide to keep those feathered feet comfortable.

Feeding for Success

Want healthy, happy Faverolles? Start with a high-quality layer feed that provides all the nutrients they need. For the best results, we recommend our 17% All Natural Layer Pellets for Chickens, specially formulated to support consistent egg production and maintain those beautiful feathers. Expect birds to eat 1/4 to 1/3 pound per adult bird daily, adjusting based on their foraging activity and the season.

When allowed to free-range, these birds are excellent foragers, but they'll need reliable nutrition to maintain their fluffy feathers and egg production. For growing chicks, start with Kalmbach 20% Organic Chick and Meatbird Starter Grower (Crumble) until week 18, then transition gradually to layer feed. Make sure your birds always have water available, too. 

In the molting season, consider switching to Full Plume Feathering Feed when your Faverolles need all the protein they can get! Protein helps maintain those distinctive Faverolle feathers, especially their signature beards and foot feathering. A handful of scratch grains in the evening can also help them stay warm during cold winter nights.

Grooming and Health Tips

Those gorgeous feathered feet need a bit of extra attention! Check them regularly for mud or debris, especially during wet weather. Your Faverolles' muff and beard might need occasional cleaning, too. Keep an eye out for parasites, which can hide in their thick feathering.

Social Life and Flock Integration

Here's something you'll love about Faverolles - they're usually at the bottom of the pecking order due to their docile nature. While this makes them excellent with children and other gentle breeds, you'll want to watch out for more aggressive chickens who might bully them.

Common Faverolle Chickens FAQs

What are the pros and cons of Faverolles?

Pros: They're incredibly friendly, are good winter layers, and have beautiful, unique appearances. You won't find many chickens with sweeter personalities!  

Cons: Their feathered feet need extra maintenance, they're not the most prolific layers compared to production breeds, and they can be prone to get picked on by more aggressive chickens.

What color eggs do Faverolle chickens lay?

Your Faverolle hens will surprise you with light brown to pinkish eggs. While they're not blue or green egg layers, there's something special about collecting those delicately tinted eggs from your fluffy friends.

Are Faverolle chickens cold-hardy?

You bet they are! Those thick feathers and small combs aren't just for show - they help Faverolles handle cold weather like champs. Just keep their feet dry to prevent issues during wet, cold weather.

Are Faverolles good layers?

While they won't compete with your production breeds, Faverolles are reliable layers, giving you about 180-200 eggs annually. What makes them unique is their ability to lay through the winter months when other breeds might take a break.

At what age do Faverolles start laying?

Prepare for eggs when your Faverolle pullets reach about 20-24 weeks old. Like many heritage breeds, they take longer to mature than production breeds, but good things come to those who wait!

What is the average lifespan of Faverolle chickens?

Your Faverolle chickens can live 5-7 years or even longer with proper care. They're hardy birds when given the right attention and care.

Want to give your Faverolles the best start? At Kalmbach Feeds, we know what these unique birds need to thrive. Our quality feeds provide the perfect balance of nutrients to keep those beautiful feathers glossy and egg production steady. Visit us to learn more about feeding your Faverolle flock for success!