Chantecler Chicken: Characteristics, Egg Production, Price, and More!

If you’re looking for a good-natured chicken that is a good egg layer (and is good to eat), the Chantecler breed might be at the top of your list. These chickens are large but docile. With two color options out there, as well as a smaller Bantam variety for those with less space, the Chantecler chicken breed is growing in popularity. Find out more about these adorable chickens, including what they look like, what to expect when they lay eggs, and how much it might cost to add a Chantecler to your flock.

Characteristics of a Chantecler Chicken

These chickens are a breed originally from Quebec, Canada. They were bred to lay eggs and for their meat so they are pretty good in both regards. When a Canadian monk realized that all of the chickens in the flock kept at the Abbey where he lived were American or European breeds, he decided to develop a new breed that was Canadian. He crossed multiple species of chickens and settled on the combination that would later become known as the Chantecler.

The first Chanteclers were bred in the early 1900s but it wasn’t until 1921 that they were recognized as a breed. According to the American Poultry Association, Chantecler chickens can be either white or brown. They are also bred in two sizes: large and bantam. A bantam chicken simply refers to a smaller version of the full-size Chantecler.

Large Chanteclers tend to be between 6.5 and 9 pounds. Females are smaller than males but both are larger than many other breeds. Bantam Chanteclers are much smaller, rarely getting bigger than 2.5 pounds as adults. Other than their size, they are identical to full-size Chantecler chickens.

What Color is a Chantecler Chicken?

These chickens are white, at least the original bred Chanteclers. They have yellow skin and beaks. Their plumage is close to their body and doesn’t impart a lot of bulk. Instead, their size comes from their hefty bodies. The Chantecler’s tail and wing tips are a bit fluffier than other parts of their body.

Over the years, they were bred with other types of chickens called Partridge chickens. These breeds have darker feathers, which they passed down to their Partridge Chantecler descendants. These breeds can be better in free-range environments, a trait that was desirable for Chanteclers as well. Both white and partridge Chanteclers are recognized by the American Poultry Association.

How Big Are Chantecler Chickens?

These chickens are quite large, at least compared to some other breeds. They often reach up to 9 pounds, especially the males. Females are typically a bit smaller, between 6.5 and 7 pounds. They were bred for meat as well as eggs, which is one reason for their above-average size.

Bantam chickens, including bantam Chanteclers, are usually less than 2 pounds. They don’t need as much space or food as their larger counterparts so they are generally a bit cheaper to keep as well. The American Bantam Association, which was created in 1914, oversees the regulation of bantam breeds when it comes to showing. Bantams can also participate in American Poultry Association shows, although the regulations between the two organizations can vary slightly.

Chantecler Egg Laying

These chickens lay brown eggs, usually around 200 to 220 each year. This is on the upper end but it isn’t unusual for most hens to get close. Chanteclers are known for being good egg layers.

Hens can go broody occasionally. This happens when the hen sits on her eggs, incubating them, regardless of whether they will hatch into baby chicks or not. If you want to hatch chicks, this is a great characteristic in a doting mother hen. But if you want to prioritize egg production, a broody hen can slow things down. Instead of continuing to lay eggs, she’ll want to incubate the ones she already has. This typically lasts for a few weeks to a few months.

What Color Eggs Do Chantecler Chickens Lay?

Chantecler chickens lay light brown eggs. Some can have a pink tinge to them, although the primary color of their eggs is still brown. They lay large eggs. Some hens will begin laying eggs as early as 20 weeks old.

How Much Do Chantecler Chickens Cost?

When you buy new chicks, there are a few things to consider. The main things impacting cost are the breed, the sex, and the number of chicks that you want to buy. When you buy a dozen chicks or less, expect to pay between $4.70 and $6.50 per chick. Females are the most expensive, followed by unsexed chicks (could be male or female), and then males. Larger quantities bring the price down by up to 30 cents per chick. Most breeders will require that you buy at least 2 Chanteclers at a time since these are flock animals and they do not do well on their own. Some might even want you to purchase a minimum of 4 or even 6. If you are just starting a flock, 6 is a good number that will keep the chickens happy and be easy to care for. You can add Chanteclers to an existing flock, even if there are other breeds. They get along well with other chickens, although you’ll still need to make sure that your other breeds are also not aggressive.

Chanteclers can be a bit harder to come by, although as they gain popularity, more breeders are likely to have them around. You might need to travel to get your chicks, pay for special shipping, or go on a waitlist. When you buy your chicks, make sure that you have a good brooder setup as well as the other required equipment, feed, and heat lamps to keep them warm and safe as they grow.

Ideal Environment for Chanteclers

These chickens were bred to get through harsh, cold Canadian winters. This breed has small cushion combs on the top of their heads. This is important because it acts as their body’s air conditioning and helps regulate their temperature, especially in hot climates. Chantecler chickens have very small cushion combs, which work well in cold climates. But that means that they won’t be able to stay cool in the hot weather.

Setting Up a Coop

Between 8 and 10 square feet per chicken is ideal for your chicken coop. Chantecler chicks also like to move around, so make sure that they have additional run space, between 3 and 6 square feet. You can also set up a more open free-range area, although this does require more space and special considerations to protect your flock from wildlife.

Bantam Chanteclers don’t need as much space, making them a good option for those will smaller backyards. A good rule of thumb is 1-2 square feet per bantam chicken with another 3 or 4 square feet of run space for each bird in your flock.

Setting up a Nesting Box

Try to provide enough nesting boxes so that all of your hens have a place to lay eggs and roost. This becomes even more important if they go broody. A good nesting box for Chanteclers is around 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches. Fill it with soft straw, hay, or pine shavings. You can put them 1 or 2 feet high because Chanteclers are comfortable flying up to the nesting box.