Crevecoeur Chicken

Physical Description: 

The Crevecoeur chicken is known for their black plumage, large chest, and a split V-shaped comb. Crevecoeur chickens are distinct from other chickens due to their chest and beards. Their beards are tri-lobbed, which means they’re split into two muffs and a beard (some chicks may be born without beards). They also have unusual V combs, also called horn combs or devil’s combs, although some may have “leaf” or “stag” combs. They can weigh between 6.5-8 lbs depending on their sex.  

Predators: 

Common predators are weasels, coyotes, foxes, hawks, owls, raccoons, and stray dogs. 

Lifespan: 

Crevecoeur chickens on average can live about 5-10 years of age. 

Reproduction: 

Crevecoeur chicken are social. Hens will start to lay eggs when they are 6-7 months old and will lay well into the winter. Hens can lay around 150 medium to large, white eggs per year. Hens don’t typically get broody, but there are some sources that say they can get moderately broody at times. A fertile egg with proper incubation takes about 21 days to develop into a chick. 

Fun Facts: 

Crevecoeur chickens are the oldest breed in France.  

Although chickens have hollow bones, their bodies are too heavy for long-distance flight. They can jump fairly high and are able to fly for very short distances. 

The breed was first imported to America in the mid-1800s. 

The name Creve-coeur translates to “broken heart” which refers to the town of Crevecoeur en Ange in Normandy. 

Conservation Messaging: 

Purposeful Pet Ownership 

Chickens are commonly kept as pets on farms and ranches. It is always best to do your research before moving forward with purchasing any livestock. These animals require different needs from say your dog or cat. For instance, chickens are flock animals so having one is not an acceptable option. So, you must be prepared to have multiple chickens, or multiple barnyard animals. You also need to have the time to dedicate to your chickens. They require a lot of work. Cleaning the coop, keeping their water and food clean and full, and regularly checking for mites are just a few of the tasks you’ll need to do in order to care for your chickens. Be sure to fully research any pet before buying one. While you may think a chicken would make a cool pet, it’s important to know all of the care that goes into providing that animal with the best possible welfare.