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

Would you like to expand your chicken flock so you’re diving into research about new breeds? Or is this your first foray into chicken ownership? Either way, you may not know much about Faverolles chickens beyond seeing the name mentioned online in a blog or two. So, what is this breed with a unique name? We are here to unpack that mystery. Below, we’ll cover all the details you need to know to make an informed decision about potentially purchasing Faverolles chickens.

Where Did Faverolles Chickens Come From?

Faverolles chickens originated in France, which is where their name comes from. This breed was named after the village Faverolles, which sits southwest of Paris. It resulted from several different cross-breeding attempts, which led to the breed’s varying coloring for many years.

However, in 1886, Faverolles started to lean toward a more consistent appearance. About a decade later, in 1894, these chickens made their way into England. They ultimately ended up in North America around the turn of the century.

These birds are highly prized and a favorite of many chicken owners. They are recognized by the American Poultry Association. But, the organization only approves of two colors – white (in 1914) and salmon (1981). 

What Is the Faverolles Chicken Best Known For?

These birds are dual-purpose. You will get a moderate amount of eggs from the hens almost year-round. And they make fantastic meat birds. You will be pleased with the delicious and tender meat.

Additionally, Faverolles chickens are known for their inherently gentle nature. They are one of the most easy-going birds you could own.

Faverolles Chicken Characteristics

One of the key features that Faverolles chickens bring to the table is their cold hardiness. This breed can handle very cold temperatures, which makes them ideal for northern homes and homesteads. 

These birds have wider bodies and sit relatively low to the ground. The sexes look very similar for a few weeks. However, after they reach roughly four weeks old, you will start to notice the difference. All Faverolles chickens have five feathered toes, beards, feathered legs, and a muff. They are known for their fluffy, soft feathers. Their earlobes and wattles are not very noticeable.

Faverolles are medium-sized birds. The hens average around six to six and a half pounds. The roosters can reach an average of eight pounds at maturity. They reach maturity a little earlier than many breeds – around 19 to 20 weeks.

What Colors Are Faverolles Chickens?

The only breed colors recognized by the American Poultry Association are white and salmon. But those are not the only colors available! At some breeders (and outside the United States), you may find colors like buff, black, blue-laced, and more.

Faverolles Chicken Temperament

These birds are some of the friendliest chickens you could add to your flock. They are easy-going, gentle, and love people. Faverolles are known to follow their owners around, hoping for a tasty handout. They do like to talk to you and each other. However, they aren’t exceptionally loud birds, so they will suit suburban environments. 

Faverolles love getting cuddles and tolerate being picked up by children. They make fantastic “lap birds” that will happily hang out with you for the evening. Since they tolerate small hands, young children tend to gravitate toward this friendly bird.

They like sticking close to home, so you won’t have any issues keeping them in their coop. The biggest problem is their docile nature. On the surface, this is a great trait. However, it can also lead to trouble around more aggressive breeds. Consider keeping this flock separate from any more dominant chickens you already have or plan to buy.

What Color Eggs Do Faverolles Chickens Lay?

One of the most notable things about Faverolles chickens is their distinctive eggs. They lay medium-sized salmon-colored eggs. They are not quite brown, so you will get a unique shade to any current egg stock. 

How Many Eggs Do Faverolles Chickens Lay?

Since this is a dual-purpose bird, you can expect a moderate amount of eggs from each hen. They will lay between 180 and 240 eggs annually. This total amounts to roughly 3 to 4 eggs per week. But what sets them apart from many breeds is their cold-hardy nature. It means they will continue laying eggs in the winter, so you don’t have to deal with a reduced supply. Hens will start laying once they reach roughly 20 weeks old.

Do Faverolles Chickens Have Health Issues?

Since Faverolles are so delightfully fluffy, they have a few health issues to take note of. The biggest is the presence of lice or mites. These can even appear on the legs and toes since they are feathered. You will want to check them periodically to address any issues before they become severe. 

The other potential problem to note isn’t a health issue, per se. But it also has to do with their abundant feathers. With puffy cheek feathers, their vision is slightly impeded. They won’t see predators lurking around. So, if you let them out to forage and roam, you will want to keep a close eye on the skies above.

How Much Space Do Faverolles Chickens Need?

Faverolles chickens enjoy their coop. But they also love to run around the yard and forage for natural food. Since they are happy spending so much time outside and equally happy inside, you don’t actually need a large coop. Plan on at least three square feet per bird, but consider increasing that to four square feet to be safe. 

As previously discussed, these birds don’t do well alongside more aggressive breeds. So, consider getting them a smaller, separate coop for safety purposes.

How Much Do Faverolles Chickens Cost?

The price point of Faverolles chicks varies depending on your region. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between $3.50 and $6.00 each. 

The price fluctuates due to several factors. A major contributing factor is the number of chicks you plan to purchase. Many hatcheries offer tiered discounts, reducing the price when more birds get purchased. You will pay a premium when you only purchase a small number of Faverolles at a time. So, if you know you really want this breed, consider buying more to start off with. You will see significant savings per bird.

Another factor is whether the chicks are female, male, or unsexed. Most hatcheries will differentiate their pricing structure based on the difference.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © JZHunt/iStock via Getty Images