Chantecler chickens are a heritage dual-purpose breed suitable for the backyard production of both meat and eggs. They are also popular for exhibition. It is the only chicken breed originating in Canada. The breed is able to withstand bitter cold weather while continuing to lay well.
What is a Chantecler chicken?
A Chantecler chicken has these characteristics:
- Heritage breed
- Dual-purpose (egg and meat)
- Only breed originating in Canada
- Can withstand bitter cold winters
- Gentle temperament
- Small cushion comb and minimal wattles
- Lay well even in winter
- The eggs have pale brown shells
- Hens tend toward broodiness as they age
Where did Chantecler chickens come from?
They come from Canada, the brain child of Brother Wilfred Chatelain. He noted that the poultry breeds in Canada during his time all originated either in the United States or in Europe.
In 1908 he and other monks of Cistercian Abbey in Quebec set about to develop a distinctly Canadian breed. The result is a chicken with white plumage and tight feathering that lays through the winter and has a frost-resistant cushion comb and tiny wattles. They introduced the new Canadian breed to the public in 1918.
Why is this chicken called Chantecler?
It comes from the play Chantecler, in which the lead character is a rooster named Chantecler who brags that his clear song brings the sun up each morning. The name derives from the French words “chanter,” meaning to sing, and “clair,” meaning clear.
Are Chantecler chickens rare?
The Livestock Conservancy lists the Chantecler on the watch list. That means it has an estimated global population of less than 10,000, with fewer than 5,000 breeding birds in the United States and 10 or fewer primary breeding flocks. Cackle Hatchery® is proud to be among those who are working to conserve this breed.
How to tell a male from female Chantecler.
What color is a Chantecler chicken?
The breed has two color varieties: white and partridge. The original color variety is the white Chantecler. A partridge variety came later as being more predator resistant on pasture.
The white variety was admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1921. The partridge variety was added in 1925. Eventually bantam versions of both varieties were developed and were admitted to the Standard in 1960.
What chicken breed is it similar to?
In conformation this breed is strikingly similar to the red-feathered Buckeye. The Buckeye, from the state of Ohio, has much the same features. The main difference, aside from color and place of origin, is that the Buckeye has a pea comb, while the Chantecler has a cushion comb.
FAQs
At what age can you sex a Chantecler?
At about 8 weeks of age the various distinguishable sexual traits start to appear.
How big do Chantecler chickens get?
Hens mature to about 6½ pounds, roosters to about 8½ pounds.
What color eggs do Chantecler chickens lay?
The hens lay large eggs with brown shells.
How many eggs do they lay?
Hens lay up to 220 eggs per year and continue laying during the winter months.
Helpful Links
White Chantecler chickens from Cackle Hatchery.
And that’s today’s news from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has raised chickens and various other poultry for more than 5 decades and has written numerous books about them, many available from the Cackle Bookstore.
