What Are Salmon Faverolles Chickens? (Complete Breed Overview)
What are the Origins and History of Salmon Faverolles?
Salmon Faverolles (pronounced fav-er-ohl) originated in a French village called Faverolles, located south-west of Paris in France, during the late 1860s and early 1870s.
The breed name reflects their town of origin and the salmon-colored plumage of hens.
Chicken genealogy here gets messy. Chicken farmers in the 1800s needed a cage-forgiving bird since the Houdan refused confinement when cages dominated chicken farming.
The solution? A brilliant genetic mix of multiple breeds: Houdan, Brahma, French Rennes, Flemish Cuckoo, Malines, Dorking, Cochins, and Langshans.
These birds used for development were selected and bred for production qualities—a dual-purpose breed that handled captivity while delivering egg production and table meat.
By 1886, a distinct type with consistent feathering emerged as the best French breed and utility breed ever created.
From France to Global Fame
In 1894, Salmon Faverolles were imported to the UK, where Brits established a UK standard.
By 1901-1902, Dr. Phelps of Glen Falls, New York, introduced them to America and the United States.
The breed gained popularity among backyard chicken keepers and exhibition breeders for its cold-hardiness and striking appearance.
Is Salmon Faverolles Heritage Or Hybrid?
The heritage standard breed was recognized in 1914 by the American Poultry Association.
Baby chicks start creamy white and fluffy, but at 3-5 weeks old, males show black chest and dark feathers on the belly and tail.
Hens stay lighter brown with salmon markings on their breast, fluffy cheeks, feathered legs, and a single comb with five points—making them beautiful birds with a friendly nature, perfect for egg laying and as meat producers.
Physical Characteristics and Appearance
I swear, the Salmon Faverolles are truly the cutest chickens!
These French hens are medium-sized birds famous for their distinctive features: fluffy muffs, beards, 5 toes, and feathered feet.
They wear a voluminous, feathery attire with fuzzy cheeks and tufty beards, giving them a charming, puffy-cheeked appearance and a truly unique look.
They have a single five-pointed red comb, but their exceptionally small red wattles are barely there, often completely absent.
They also possess a funky fifth toe that points upwards—a neat hint of the Dorking chicken in the breed’s bloodline.
Appearance:
The hens are uniquely colored and beautiful.
Their salmon-colored feathering presents a lovely warm buff-pink color with a pinkish tinge on their heads, necks, wings, and bodies, which sometimes looks like a subtle honey-brown color.
I find that the cream tone really contrasts nicely with the creamy-white color of their white breasts and light cream underbellies, often featuring delicate salmon-colored speckles.
Interestingly, the roosters are not salmon colored at all—the males and females show dramatic color differences between hens (salmon/cream) and roosters (mahogany/black).
The males feature dramatic black, white, and mahogany plumage, with black beards, breasts, leg feathers, and undercoats.
They also have white-tipped golden wings, hackles, backs, and saddles that are straw-colored with hints of green in their tail feathers.
The combination of fluffy features, heavy coat feathers, and thick soft plumage makes them extra cold-hardy.
How Big is the Salmon Faverolle?
Yeah! They are listed size and weight (hens 6.5-8.5 lbs, roosters 8-10 lbs). These 8-6.5-pound birds actually look much bigger due to all their puff.
They are the only chicken breed to combine fluffy muffs, feathered legs, and the 5th toe. All birds have a single comb, bright red and upright, and five toes on each foot.
The white legs and feathered feet complete their charming appearance.
What are the Temperaments of Salmon Faverolles?
These birds are incredibly docile and calm. Their sweet-natured personality makes them superb, friendly flock pets, and great with children.
How Many Eggs Do Salmon Faverolles Lay? (Production Guide)
Yeah! Egg laying? These beautiful Salmon Faverolles chickens are a sustainable breed known for their friendly nature.
As I keep them for years, sometimes owners frequently ask, “How Many Eggs Do Faverolles lay?” In general, Faverolles hens lay 180-200 eggs🥚 per year.
Approximately, their egg size is on average 3-4 medium-sized eggs per week, though some productive lines can reach 180–240.
They usually reach the maturity level and often get cracking on their deliveries around 19 to 20 weeks of age. This is faster than other heritage breeds.
This breed is known for consistent winter laying ability, meaning they continue to lay when many other breeds slow down. This likely came from their Dorking heritage.
What are the Salmon Faverolles Egg Color and Size?
Their eggs are reliably medium-sized to Medium-large. The color is typically creamy-brown to light brown, sometimes showing a subtle pinkish tint.
This is where the “Pink egg myth vs reality” comes in. While you won’t get a neon pink egg, the tinted shell has an almost salmon hue; this is a safer bet than hoping easter eggs too all want colored eggs.
Only six chicken breeds are said to lay pinkish eggs, including the light Sussex, mottled Java, Australorp, Buff Orpington, Silkie, and Salmon Faverolles. My experience confirms they are indeed a safer bet.
Factors Affecting Egg Production
Their production rate of 150-200 to 180–240 eggs per year is highly variable and influenced by Diet, lighting, and seasonal variations.
All the stages come from me. I know you should also account for Age-related production changes over their laying lifespan of 5-7 years. Hens will generally start at 5–6 months old, but some strains won’t start until closer to 10 months.
Strain differences in productivity are key. Those bred for exhibition are poorer layers compared to those from commercial hatcheries like Meyer Hatchery, which focus on steady production.
They are not high-producing hybrid breeds like the Golden Buff. Reviews addressing egg-laying are highly variable, from very small to very large size and frequency of 1 per week to 5 per week. The creamy white or off-white (tinted) eggs can be a beautiful pale color.
I’ve summarized this behavior above based on numerous books and sources, but always be ready for variation in qualities.
How to Sex Salmon Faverolles Chicks? (Male vs Female Identification)
Sexing Methods at Different Ages
Faverolles chicks can be visually sexed at an earlier age than most breeds.
This is a huge benefit! It’s very easy to sex them early, just around 2-4 weeks, which is considerably different than the months you really wait for other breeds.
Rooster vs Hen Physical Differences
The chicks show totally different plumage colors, making identifying the sexes simple.
The boys are often black-winged and develop darker mahogany coloring first.
The females (hens) are wheat-colored Salmon.
You look for the males to have a larger size and feathering, typically around weeks 5-7. Later, roosters develop larger combs and their distinctive hackle and saddle feathers.
Salmon Faverolles Rooster Behavior and Traits
Salmon Faverolles Roosters are known for their gentle temperament and are calm-natured, not aggressive. This behavior is different from that of many breeds.
They are protective: a good rooster will guard his ladies, though their crowing only starts considerably later than other males.
What Do Salmon Faverolles Look Like? (Visual Identification Guide)
Hen Appearance and Coloring
The hens are the ones that carry the salmon colored name, although if I’m honest, I would argue that calling their feathering pure salmon is pushing it!
Their color is more of a honey-brown with a pinkish tinge across their heads, necks, and wings.
The body is often creamy-white with grey under fluff, and their white breasts often have speckles. They even sport perfect pink beaks.
Rooster Appearance and Markings
Roosters are curiously not Salmon colored at all; they are one of the few chicken breeds where males and females are so totally different.
The roosters feature black beards, breasts, leg feathers, and undercoats. They boast white-tipped golden wings, and their hackles, backs, and saddles are straw-colored, sometimes showing hints of green in their tail.
Unique Physical Features
Their faces remind me of Ameraucanas, with fuzzy cheeks and tufty beards.
They have a single, five-pointed red comb, but their wattles are exceptionally small, often barely there or completely absent.
The whole bird is fluffy from head to toe…all ten toes!
They are the only chicken breed with white legs and feathery feet that possess a funky fifth toe, which points upwards. This 5th toe quite literally points to the presence of the Dorking bloodline in the Faverolles.
Are Salmon Faverolles Noisy?
No, they are valued for being a quiet, docile breed, ideal for urban backyard chickens where noise levels matter; their roosters will predictably crow.
Can Salmon Faverolles Fly?
Due to their heavy size and fluffy feathers, Salmon Faverolles large fowl are very poor fliers.
They are generally incapable of sustained flight over low fences, which simplifies containment for backyard chicken keepers and makes them reliable.
How to Care for Salmon Faverolles Chickens? (Housing and Management)
Space Requirements and Activity
For housing, these birds need at least 4 square feet of coop space.
They cope well in confinement, but since they are on-the-go and active, they will enjoy foraging for whatever your yard may offer.
Give care and attention to their need for room in warmer conditions. Despite being alert, their fluffy cheek feathers mean they may not spot predators easily, so maintain vigilance.
Cold and Heat Tolerance
These chickens are incredibly hardy and figured as good layers because they were bred for the winters of northern France.
Their thick down and feathered feet keep them warm for long, but this cold-hardiness has caveats.
They have issues with frostbite on their combs. If you see a cold snap, rub Vaseline on the combs.
Some roosters have large enough combs to be worrisome, even if they are smaller than single-comb breeds (check the video!).
In hot summer temperatures, you certainly choose worse climates, but you could choose better.
They have a harder time regulating body temperatures because of their muffs, beards, and legs.
Management for a Long, Productive Life
I had one hen who would pant all the time and look unhappy.
Imagine wearing a scarf over your face and sweatpants! You must help them stay cool with access to plenty of fresh, cool water and a shaded dustbathing area.
You can see a couple under a bush one day in the video (go Fast forward 15 seconds).
Providing proper care ensures they live healthy and productive lives, laying an abundance of eggs for years.
Their ability to survive temperatures without being too bothered means they tolerate a wide range of climates.
Keepers snuggle them in the coop when cold, but avoid wet feet, as wet feathers lead to frostbite—that’s a serious challenge for these birds.
What Health Issues Do Salmon Faverolles Have? (Common Problems)
As one who has managed a large flock, I can confirm that even the hardiest of hens can face health issues. The Salmon Faverolles are a tough little lot, but all sorts of nasties can strike them down if they’re not well cared for.
Feather-Related Health Concerns
The majority of issues associated with this breed are centered around their abundance of feathers.
Since they are a Fluffed-up breed, Faverolles are extremely prone to lice and mites. Because infestations are harder to spot, there is a greater chance of spreading amongst your flock, too.
The Feathered legs and toes are unfortunately perfect for scaly leg mites.
The feathers extending down their legs and toes mean they may pick up some scaly leg mites.
You’ll want to routinely check them for both mites and lice, paying close attention to their vents and under their wings.
Making sure they are treated and checked regularly will help spot infestations before they take hold.
Cold-Weather Health Risks
The beautiful Fluffy feet are prone to frostbite. To avoid issues, making sure your French fancies have a nice warm place to stay dry when it’s wet will help.
General Health Maintenance
Common warning signs for chicken health issues help you spot early problems and avoid unnecessary suffering.
Supplying a dust bath is crucial, as this will help them self-treat parasites. Since the issues are centered on their feathers, a dust bath is essential maintenance.
Are Salmon Faverolles Broody? (Breeding and Mothering)
Broodiness Tendencies and Strain Variations
Whether Salmon Faverolles hens are broody is a difficult question to answer, as there are mixed reviews.
This charming French Momma has unpredictable maternal instincts that heavily depend on the specific strain.
Many keepers agree that heritage Faverolles are more motherly and develop into excellent mothers when they choose to be sitters.
How to Hatch and Raise Chicks?
The baby chicks are incredibly adorable! They emerge fluffy and creamy-white, complete with fuzzy legs and perfect little muffs. This initial look is endearing and helps them blend in.
Development Stages and Growth
Within a few weeks, these tiny Salmon Faverolles quickly begin to show their adult colors.
This unique trait allows the chicks to be accurately sexed early, which is a huge benefit for poultry keepers tracking flock development.
Can you keep Salmon Faverolles as Pets?
Yeah! They are super family pets and ready to be the servants of children.
Their docile and friendly temperament makes them ideal for children and backyard keepers. Valued as a companion animal, their fluffy muffs and unique look win hearts everywhere they are kept.
What Are the Different Varieties of Faverolles? (Standard vs Bantam)
I love discussing the many faces of the Faverolles breed!
They are mind-blowing because while the Salmon color is the universal favorite, the standards differ greatly across the globe, especially when comparing the standard size to the bantam variety.
Salmon Faverolles Standard Size
The American Poultry Association recognized the Salmon Faverolles variety first, in 1914, setting the standard of perfection for medium-sized chickens.
These large fowl males weigh 8-10 lbs and females 6.5-8.5 lbs. Their fluffy feathers make them look larger and bigger.
The hens have a striking wheaten pattern, while the roosters are often comical-looking with muffs, beard, hackle in tan and brown tones.
Salmon Faverolles Bantam Chickens
The bantam variety was recognized in 1925. It’s only about a quarter the size of the large fowl, with males at 40-48oz and females at 32-40oz.
This variety almost disappeared after the Second World War due to transport issues, but thanks to dedicated breeders, they are now back in circulation.
Other Faverolles Color Varieties
There are three types of original French, German, and British Faverolles accepted internationally, often referred to by their plumage colors.
In the United States, the White variety was recognized in 1981. Other rare varieties accepted elsewhere include black, mahogany, blue, laced, buff, cuckoo, ermine, and blue salmon.
In America, there are 5 plumage varieties recognized, though often only Salmon and White sell.
Experts like Storey’s Ekarius detail their features, noting colors for the Beak, Eyes, Shanks, and toes. For example, shanks are Bluish streaked with gray, Eyes are Reddish bay, and the Beak is often Pinkish horn.
It can be hard to find non-standard colors: only about 40 hatcheries in the U.S. offer wider varieties.
Are Salmon Faverolles Mix well with other breeds?
Yes! They are. They can mix well with other breeds, and have no issue living with other breeds.
Here, the breeds love to live with them.
Breeds to keep with Salmon Faverolles
- Orpington
- Cochin
- Brahma
- Silkie
- Sussex
- Australorp
- Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)
- Jersey Giant
- Naked Neck (Turken)
- Wyandotte
Breed to avoid mixing with Salmon Faverolles.
Yeah! They have other sides to mixing chickens with these breeds, because by doing this, you may put them in danger.
Are Salmon Faverolles Good for Beginners? (Pros and Cons)
I have had my Salmon Faverolle chickens for a long while, and they may be my favorite chicken breed yet.
They are a brilliant beginner pick because they are a heritage breed that has lasted a century, proving there is a strong reason they are beloved.
This bird is truly versatile, making it great for the backyard egg producer or for meat production.
I, as a mother with young kids, am incredibly excited about their gentle disposition and their beautiful plumage. Ultimately, I’ll let you decide if the pros outweigh the cons.
Pros
- Docile, friendly, entertaining, quirky, and amenable birds make the introduction to keeping chickens easier and rewarding for beginner keepers.
- They are the perfect social, pet-like companion that will win your heart.
- Relatively hardy, cold-tolerant, and tolerant of confinement, which eases the worry of predator-proofing free-range hens.
- They are small enough for a small space.
- Productive producers and layers, yielding reliable Winter eggs, and are Early layers.
- They are dual-purpose, offering Tender white Meat.
Cons
- The Meat toughens quickly with age, and it takes 6-8 months to reach full weight.
- They are not very heat or drought-tolerant and need vigilance during hot weather.
- They do not do well around aggressive birds due to their own docile temperament.
- They can be prone to noise.
