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Salmon Faverolle All You Need To Know: Personality and Egg Color

Salmon Faverolle

Salmon Faverolles are the barnyard comedians. They are enthusiastic about everything they do, curious to the point of nosiness, and quite talkative!

They will always run to you when they see you coming hoping for treats, but even without treats, they seem genuinely happy to see you.

This chicken breed is just about perfect for the homesteader or urban backyard, and they are really becoming quite popular now.

Let’s take a closer look at this breed and see if it’s the right chicken for you.

Salmon Faverolle

The History of Faverolles

Salmon Faverolle Walking
Salmon Faverolles originated in a small village in France called Faverolles. Their genetic composition mixes Houdan, Brahma, French Rennes, Flemish cuckoo, Malines, and Dorking.

It is entirely possible that other breeds were used too. We will never know for sure since no records exist of the creation of this breed.

French farmers were looking for a hen that fleshed out well for the market and laid a good amount of eggs.

At that time, the Houdan was the current breed in favor and supplied the Parisian markets with fresh meat and eggs, but the Houdan detested the recent introduction of cage confinement and did not behave well.

The farmers were looking for a hen that tolerated caged confinement better than the Houdan.

The Faverolles seemed to tolerate confinement very well and did not exhibit any cage-induced bad habits as the Houdan did.

They were equally at home foraging in the fields – a very accommodating hen.
In 1894 the first Faverolles were imported to the UK, where the British continued to work with the bird and even set a UK standard for the breed.

It wasn’t until the early 1900s when they were imported to the states by a Dr. Phelps of Glen Falls, New York.

Salmon Faverolles Appearance and Standard

Salmon Faverolle
Where to start? Their beard makes them look adorable with their fluffy faces.

The single comb should have five points and is red as is the face; wattles are small to non-existent. The beak is a pinkish/horn color, and the eyes are a reddish bay.

Their body is deep and broad (trapezoid in shape). The back and breast are both wide, and there is deepness through the keel. This has the effect of making them look much bigger than they really are.

The color of the feathers is a rich, honeyed salmon color over the back, head, and wings. They have a white/straw-colored breast speckled with salmon. The breast, muff, and lower half of the body are a much lighter straw/cream color.

The under fluff is a grayish color.
The feathers are fluffy and loose, which also makes them look bigger than they are.

Legs are feathered, and each foot has five toes – a genetic presence from the Dorking. The legs are white in color, as is the skin.

The rooster is altogether different from the hen in coloring. He sports a black beard, black undercarriage, and a black breast – a magnificent looking bird. He has straw-colored hackles, back, and saddle.

The wing has a rich gold color on the bow, with a triangular white tip.

Tail primaries are beetle green, and leg feathers are black. ‘Under fluff’ is slate gray.

Roosters have a reputation of being calm, non-aggressive, and rather regal.

The Faverolles tend to mature a bit earlier than other breeds, and once they start laying, they will lay well through the winter.

Once mature, a hen will weigh in at 6½lbs, with a rooster weighing 8lbs.

Standard

Although several color varieties are available, here in the US, only salmon and white are recognized colors.

The Salmon color was accepted to the APA in 1914 and the white much later in 1981.

The APA classifies this chicken as Continental, whilst the ABA classify it as feather legged and the PCGB classify it as a soft feather, heavy.

The first bantam Faverolles were created in 1925. Weights for the bantams are males at 30oz and females at 26oz.

Disposition, Egg Laying, and Broodiness

Salmon Faverolle
Salmon Faverolles are exuberant about life. They are friendly, curious, and comical.

They will dash wildly around the yard bumping into each other, and carry on as if whatever they are doing is of the utmost importance.

They are very cuddly and lovable hen, and they enjoy talking with you, especially one on one.

When I put mine to bed each night (they won’t go on their own, they are spoilt), I chat with them, and they chatter back as if they are answering me.

Occasionally you will get a grumpy one, but that is an exception, not the rule.
They are docile and gentle birds and, as such, do tend to be at or near the bottom of the pecking order, so oversee them make sure the more assertive hens aren’t bullying them.

As for eggs, they are good layers of tinted/very light brown, medium-sized eggs. They lay an average of around 180-200 eggs per year/roughly 4 eggs per week.

Opinions are divided on the broodiness of this chicken, but from observing my own little flock, I would say it’s about average.

I have one who goes broody every year, but she is easy to ‘break.’ The others are too busy being nosey to care to be broody.

Folks who have allowed them to set say they are reliable setters and make good mothers – maybe I’ll try it this year!

Common Health Issues

Their beards and feathered legs are overly prone to lice. You will need to check regularly to make sure your flock does not have an infestation.

If you need to ‘dust’ them, be careful around the eyes and beak; the dust can irritate both.
Feathered legs are also prone to scaly leg mites.

The feathers make it very difficult to spot until the problem is noticeable. Again, regular checking should keep things under control.

Other than this, the Faverolles seems to be a robust and healthy bird with an expected lifespan of between 5-7 years.

Is The Salmon Faverolle Right For You?

Salmon Faverolle
If you want a hen that makes you smile, loves to cuddle, and is great with kids, the Salmon Faverolles may be for you!

Their comical antics are sure to bring a smile to your face, and if you raise them from chicks, they will love to be held and fussed over.

This is a very gentle bird that does very well with children. Even the roosters are said to be mellow and non-aggressive, although I would not recommend leaving any small child alone with any rooster until you are certain of the temperament.

They do not fly well, so they really don’t require high fences to keep them enclosed, and as we have mentioned, they do well in confinement.

If they are allowed to free-range, they are good foragers and will be pretty happy in a smaller yard, although more space is always better.

These chickens are good layers and lay well through winter. If you are looking to put food on the table, the Faverolles dress out at a decent weight for a small family.

Summary

This delightful chicken remains on the Livestock Conservancy ‘threatened’ list. As it is becoming more popular with backyard keepers, perhaps it will move off the list completely.

In past years it was kept primarily as an ornamental or exhibition hen. Still, as more people discover the attributes of this bird, it is becoming a backyard favorite again, not only for eggs but also as a pet.

Mine never cease to amuse me. They are always ‘ready to go’ – the first out in the morning and last in at night.

Do you keep Faverolles? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments section below…

READ NEXT: Bantam Chickens: Breeds, Egg Laying, Size and Care Guide

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Salmon Faverolle

26 thoughts on “Salmon Faverolle All You Need To Know: Personality and Egg Color

  1. Your birds are so pretty. I especially like how the beard on the male is a contrasting color. Here is a picture of the BB (Best of Breed) Salmon Faverolles from the Gold Coast Show in Hollister, CA last Saturday. It was a small show so Im not sure how many other Faverolles it competed against, but it also won Reserve Continental class. chel Are your strains hardy? I have heard grumblings about different strains not being very healthy. I, too think they are gorgeous birds, and am wanting to start a flock of them this year. I just cannot decide which color(s) and which size(s). Are the bantams tiny? How about their eggs? Are they tiny eggs, or are they closer to normal size?

    1. Not sure about adults, but we lost a Faverolles cockerel because he flew over 4.5 ft tall fencing and something got him. He surprised us by how good a flyer he was. Young ones can fly, and fly rather well for a chicken so be aware of this.

  2. The Faverolles were used as a utility breed known for their excellent table qualities and superior egg laying during winter months. The French have a dish for which the Faverolles was used exclusively. It is called “Petite Poussin” or “Small Breast.” Today they are regarded as a show fowl and are rare in the United States. They are said to be the Peacock of the poultry world for their contrasting color between the sexes and the brilliance of color in the male birds. They make excellent back yard fowl and have a genteel personality.

  3. I was lucky to get a Salmon Faverolle hen last year when I started my flock.
    You are correct in that they’re the clowns – she never fails to make me laugh!
    She went broody this year – sitting on her and her RIR sister’s eggs. We had 4 hatch (all are doing well) and she has been the best mother.
    Our rooster is a black bantam Silkie, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the chicks look like when they get older.
    I’ve learned so much from your site – keep up the good work!

  4. I have a trio of salmon Favorelle they are exactly alike one hen has muffs one does not ,one lays a darker egg.do all favorelles have muffs.they all have 5 toes

  5. I have 3 salmon favorelles that are 3 weeks old. I am excited to see how they progress. Their feathers are developing and are really beautiful already. These three have 14 other sisters: australorps, buff Orpington, silver laced Wyandotte’s, and one light Brahma. I’m enjoying watching my little flock grow!

  6. I hatched three salmons this spring just love them. A question though do they prefer a nesting box or nest on ground like my silkies?

  7. I have one buff faverolle, four Isa Browns, two wyandottes (1m1f), two aracaunas (1m1f). My faverolle was a great mother alongside our Australorp (we lost her in summer) but she hasn’t laid one egg since she raised chicks over 6mths ago. We’re in winter now and still not laying. Any ideas as to why?

  8. I had these at one time. hot weather is not for them. Eggs a little smaller then medium. Other wise they are great. Watch out for lice. Roosters were statly, friendly. Easily bullied by other breeds of chickens.about 190 eggs a year.light brown. If I lived in a cooler climate I would still have a flock.

  9. Love this breed. I bought my Favorelle, Lizzie, from a 4-H member. She is so friendly and lays such beautiful cream colored eggs with super smooth shells. She has been a great addition to my flock.

  10. The best chicken I ever had was a Salmon Favorelle. Her name was Izze, after my little boy’s favorite drink. She was the sweetest chicken and until this day I haven’t had one bond with me like she had. Once while I was sitting in the grass, criss-crossed, she ran over to me hopped in my lap and layed an egg. She lived for 6 years and layed for all six years, but only about once a week, if that even, at the end. She had been at the top of the pecking order when I had got my first flock of three. However, after incorporating additional pullets two years later, she moved down to the bottom. She was very broody and it was hard to break her of it. When she finally did break the new pullets put her at the bottom. It was like her broodiness was a form depression and they were punishing her for it. I felt sorry for her, but she did survive threw it all for a few more years. In order to give her a much needed break, I tended to let her free range a little earlier than the rest of the girls. Enjoy your favorelles-mine was a sure treat. I sure do miss my Izze following me everywhere in the yard.

  11. I have one Salmon Faverolles. She is definitely a different bird then our other 4 chickens (all a different breed). We have a 2 story coop with the bottom layer open for feeding and running about. “Sarah” refuses to go up or down the ladder. We finally just allowed her to stay down where she is happiest. I’m not sure if this is a good idea as she can’t do this in winter. Please let me know what you would suggest. She’s a sweet bird but a little ditzy. Lol

  12. I love my Salmon Faverolles. My Roo watches over HIS girls and will chatter to them when he finds something tasty for them to eat. They come running and gather round him.

  13. We have one Salmon Faverolle hen and rooster in our flock, Lulu and Big Lou. They are the nosiest and most curious chickens I have ever had and so much fun to be around. Big Lou is very gentle and Lulu will carry on a conversation with me. Both love to be held and talked to! Two of my favs!

  14. I recently got three Salmon Faverolles two young hens and a rooster one hen is a lot younger than the other two chickens. my rooster has not crow d yet is that a bad thing because he looks like rooster. And also he got bullied by our little black modern rooster would that cause him to not crow

  15. I recently got three Salmon Faverolles two young hens and a rooster one hen is a lot younger than the other two chickens. my rooster has not crow d yet is that a bad thing because he looks like rooster. And also he got bullied by our little black modern rooster would that cause him to not crow or is a different reason

  16. I have 2 faverolls and just love them. Such sweet girls. Good egg layers. They even like my cats. Thanks for the good info.

  17. Our two Faverolles (pullets) don’t have much of a beard, but do have feathers on the legs. This must be a dominant trait, as we now have a 3 week old chick from a Faverolles egg: the chick has leg feathers, extra toe, and a big tail. Father is a Partridge Chantecler.

    They certainly are nosy, always helping with maintenance tasks by standing right next to you, and much more friendly than my PCs

  18. My little Faverolles is so picked on by the others that she stays in the coop all day until the others come to roost! She then goes outside to enjoy her time all alone, wandering around the yard till dark!

  19. We have a 12 year old salmon faverolle called Sunshine. She is very spoilt and comes in at night and sits on the back of a chair overnight. She has started to get sick and lose weight now which is heartbreaking as she has been part of our family since my daughter was 3 and grew up with our two dogs the same age. She was never a good layer and was not interested in having babies but is talkative and likes cuddles

  20. I am a teacher and would love to hatch some! I have raised chickens before and I am ready to raise again! Miss my “Ladies!” Do you know where I can buy Favorelle fertilized eggs for hatching? If not available, where do you recommend buying chicks? Thank you so much!

  21. I used to have a mixed group of free range hens, plus an Araucana cock and Salmon Favarolle cock that I bought as eggs. The Arucana was boss and Mottie never crowed or challenged him, until Rodie went to live with a breeder after attacking me from behind one day, causing me to need a tetanus injection. Mottie then started to crow, but always sounded as if he had laryngitis, with a croaky chopped short crow, which never upset anyone. He would perch on my wrist like a hawk, and loved a cuddle too. Several times he helped people scared of hens, by having a cuddle with them, and converting them completely. Sadly one morning I found him lying on his back in the garden, dead at about 6 years old with no sign of anything being wrong. I will always miss him, he lived with me from egg to the end, and is now under the apple tree where he used to shelter from the sun.

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