Breed Profile
Salmon Faverolle Chicken
APA 1914
TLC WatchBreed Overview and Origin
The Salmon Faverolle Chicken is a gentle French heritage breed known for its friendly personality, bearded face, muffs, five toes, feathered shanks, light brown to peach-colored eggs, winter laying ability, and dual-purpose value. If you want a calm, unique, family-friendly chicken with a soft appearance and practical backyard traits, Salmon Faverolles are an excellent choice.
The Faverolles breed originated in France in the mid-1800s. The Livestock Conservancy notes that Faverolles were recognized by the American Poultry Association in two varieties: Salmon in 1914 and White in 1981. The breed is medium-sized, with a deep compact body, beards, feathered shanks and toes, five toes on each foot, and a red single comb.
Cackle Hatchery® lists Salmon Faverolles as calm and docile backyard chickens and notes that Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing its pure Salmon Faverolle bloodline since 1971. Cackle also lists the breed with The Livestock Conservancy Watch status.
Appearance and Characteristics
Salmon Faverolles have one of the most charming looks in the chicken world. Their fluffy beards and muffs give them a full-faced appearance, while their feathered shanks and five toes make them stand out from most backyard breeds.
Expected traits include:
- Salmon-colored plumage
- Beard and muffs
- Five toes
- Feathered shanks and toes
- Red single comb
- Deep, compact body
- Light brown to peach-colored eggs
- Calm, friendly temperament
- Dual-purpose value
- Winter laying ability
- Broody-hen potential
The Salmon color differs by sex. Hens tend to have soft salmon, cream, and brown tones, while roosters show a more dramatic mix of darker feathers. The Livestock Conservancy describes Salmon males as a lighter Golden Duckwing-type pattern and females as a lighter Wheaten-type pattern.
Five Toes, Beard, Muffs, and Feathered Shanks
Salmon Faverolles are one of the breeds known for having five toes instead of the usual four. They also have beards, muffs, and feathered shanks, giving them a soft, full, ornamental look.
These traits make the breed especially appealing to customers who want a chicken that is both useful and unusual. For more five-toed breed context, Cackle’s 5 Chicken Breeds That Have 5 Toes is a helpful internal resource.
Because they have feathered legs and an extra toe, Salmon Faverolles benefit from thoughtful housing. Keep bedding dry, avoid rough wire flooring, and use lower roosts to reduce stress on their legs and feet.
Egg Production and Egg Color
Salmon Faverolle hens lay eggs with light brown, tinted, or peachy-colored shells. This soft egg color can add a beautiful touch to a backyard egg basket.
They are also valued as good winter layers. Egg production can vary by individual hen, feed, daylight, age, season, and flock management. However, Faverolles have long been appreciated as practical dual-purpose birds that contribute eggs while also growing to a useful size.
Customers who want maximum egg production may prefer a production layer. However, customers who want a friendly, unusual, winter-laying heritage breed will appreciate Salmon Faverolles.
Dual-Purpose Value
Salmon Faverolles were developed as a dual-purpose breed for both eggs and meat. They grow to a good size and have a deep, compact body.
The breed was historically valued as a utility fowl in France and became known for both meat and egg production. Today, many customers choose Salmon Faverolles for backyard enjoyment, family-friendly temperament, exhibition interest, winter eggs, and heritage breed value.
Temperament and Family-Friendly Traits
Salmon Faverolles are famously calm, friendly, and gentle. Their sweet nature makes them a strong choice for families, young poultry keepers, beginners, and backyard flocks where temperament matters.
This breed can work well for:
- Family backyard flocks
- First-time chicken keepers
- Young poultry keepers
- Gentle mixed flocks
- Light brown or peach egg baskets
- Winter egg flocks
- Heritage breed keepers
- Customers who want unusual five-toed chickens
- Flocks where friendliness matters
Because they are so calm, Salmon Faverolles may sit lower in the pecking order when kept with more assertive breeds. In mixed flocks, pair them with other docile chickens and provide enough feeder, waterer, roost, and floor space.
Important Chick Care Note
Salmon Faverolle chicks can be a little more delicate than some other breeds. They may dehydrate quickly during transit, so it is important to have the brooder fully prepared before they arrive.
Before pickup or delivery, make sure you have:
- A clean brooder ready
- Proper brooder temperature
- Fresh water available immediately
- Chick starter feed ready
- Dry bedding with good footing
- Protection from drafts
- Enough space for chicks to move away from heat
- Time to monitor chicks closely after arrival
When chicks arrive, offer water right away and watch for signs of weakness, chilling, or dehydration. Careful first-day attention can make a big difference with this breed.
Roost and Housing Guidance
Salmon Faverolles have feathered shanks and a fifth toe, so housing design matters. Lower roosting poles are best because high perches can stress their legs and feet or cause injury if birds jump down awkwardly.
For best results, provide:
- Lower roosts
- Dry, clean bedding
- Smooth, safe flooring
- No rough wire flooring
- Predator-resistant housing
- Well-drained outdoor areas
- Roomy nest boxes
- Extra feeder space in mixed flocks
Their calm temperament makes them enjoyable to handle, but their feathered feet and extra toes mean they need clean, safe, well-maintained housing.
Broodiness and Mothering Ability
Salmon Faverolle hens may go broody and can make attentive mothers. Their calm nature can be an advantage when raising chicks, especially in a protected nesting area.
Broodiness can vary by individual hen, season, and flock setup. Customers who enjoy natural chick raising may appreciate this trait, while customers focused only on egg production should understand that broody hens may temporarily stop laying.
Salmon Faverolle Hatching Eggs
Cackle Hatchery® occasionally offers Salmon Faverolle Fertile Hatching Eggs during select times of the year. Cackle’s hatching egg page notes that the breed takes its name from the village of Faverolle, southwest of Paris, France, and lists seasonal hatching egg shipping from mid-February through June 6.
Choose Salmon Faverolle baby chicks if you want live day-old birds. Choose hatching eggs if you want the experience of incubating and hatching your own flock.
Salmon Faverolle vs Other Five-Toed Breeds
Salmon Faverolles share the five-toe trait with a small group of distinctive chicken breeds. However, they are different from Silkies, Dorkings, Houdans, and Sultans.
A Salmon Faverolle has beard, muffs, feathered shanks, five toes, a red single comb, and light brown to peach-colored eggs.
A Silkie is a bantam with fluffy silk-like feathering, black skin, feathered feet, five toes, and strong broodiness.
A Dorking is an old English dual-purpose breed with five toes, creamy white eggs, and excellent table quality.
Choose Salmon Faverolles if you want a gentle French heritage breed with beards, muffs, feathered shanks, winter laying ability, and friendly backyard personality.
Is the Salmon Faverolle Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Salmon Faverolle chickens if you want:
- A gentle French heritage breed
- Beards and muffs
- Five toes
- Feathered shanks
- Light brown to peach-colored eggs
- Winter laying ability
- Dual-purpose value
- A calm family-friendly chicken
- A breed that can work well for beginners
- A bird with unique ornamental appeal
- A breed with Cackle Hatchery® bloodline development since 1971
However, consider another breed if you need maximum egg production, very rugged shipping resilience, or a bird that will hold its own with aggressive flockmates. In short, Salmon Faverolles are best for customers who want a calm, unusual, friendly breed with practical egg value and heritage charm.
Care and Housing Tips
Salmon Faverolles need dependable care and benefit from a setup designed for feathered feet and five toes. They do best with clean housing, secure fencing, balanced feed, fresh water, and predator protection.
For best results, provide:
- A dry, well-ventilated coop
- Predator-resistant fencing
- Clean, dry bedding
- Fresh water at all times
- Balanced chick starter and age-appropriate feed
- Lower roosting poles
- Roomy nest boxes
- Smooth flooring with good traction
- Shade and airflow during hot weather
- Protection from drafts and damp bedding in cold weather
- Extra monitoring after chicks arrive
Because Salmon Faverolles can be docile in mixed flocks, provide multiple feeding and watering stations if they are housed with more assertive breeds.
Recognition and Availability
Salmon Faverolles were admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1914. The Livestock Conservancy lists Faverolles as a heritage breed with distinctive beards, feathered shanks, five toes, and a deep compact body.
Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its pure Salmon Faverolle bloodline since 1971 and lists the breed with The Livestock Conservancy Watch status. Since hatch dates and shipping windows can change during the season, customers should check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart before ordering.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
Customers who like Salmon Faverolles may also enjoy other five-toed breeds, feather-legged breeds, brown egg layers, and gentle family-friendly chickens.
Helpful Cackle Hatchery® links for this product page include:
- Salmon Faverolle Fertile Hatching Eggs
- 5 Chicken Breeds That Have 5 Toes
- Brown Egg Layers for Sale
- Feather Legged Chickens for Sale
- Rare Chicken Breeds for Sale
- Dual Purpose Chickens for Sale
- Baby chicks for sale
- Chicken Breed Selector
- Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart
- Chicken Availability Chart
FAQ: Salmon Faverolle Chicken
What is a Salmon Faverolle Chicken?
A Salmon Faverolle Chicken is a friendly French heritage breed known for beards, muffs, five toes, feathered shanks, light brown to peach-colored eggs, winter laying ability, and dual-purpose value.
Where did Salmon Faverolles originate?
Faverolles originated in France in the 1800s and take their name from the village of Faverolle, southwest of Paris.
When were Salmon Faverolles recognized by the APA?
The Salmon variety was recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1914.
What do Salmon Faverolles look like?
They have salmon-toned plumage, beards, muffs, feathered shanks, five toes, a red single comb, and a deep compact body.
Do Salmon Faverolles have five toes?
Yes. Salmon Faverolles have five toes on each foot.
Do Salmon Faverolles have feathered feet?
They have feathered shanks and toes, so clean, dry bedding is important.
What are muffs on a Salmon Faverolle?
Muffs are the fluffy facial feathering around the cheeks. Together with the beard, they give Salmon Faverolles their full-faced look.
What color eggs do Salmon Faverolles lay?
Salmon Faverolle hens lay light brown, tinted, or peach-colored eggs.
Are Salmon Faverolles good winter layers?
Yes. Salmon Faverolles are known for laying well during winter compared with many breeds.
Are Salmon Faverolles dual-purpose chickens?
Yes. They were developed for both eggs and meat.
Are Salmon Faverolles friendly?
Yes. Salmon Faverolles are calm, friendly, and gentle.
Are Salmon Faverolles good with children?
Yes. Their gentle temperament makes them a good choice for family flocks when children handle birds respectfully.
Are Salmon Faverolles good for beginners?
Yes, they can be good for beginners who prepare the brooder carefully and understand that the chicks can be a little delicate after shipping.
Are Salmon Faverolle chicks delicate?
They can be more delicate than some breeds and may dehydrate quickly during transit, so customers should have a warm brooder, clean water, and feed ready before arrival.
What roost height is best for Salmon Faverolles?
Lower roosts are best. Their fifth toe and feathered shanks can make high roosts or rough landings harder on their feet and legs.
Are Salmon Faverolles good in mixed flocks?
Yes, but they are calm and may be lower in the pecking order. They do best with other gentle breeds or with plenty of space and multiple feeding stations.
Are Salmon Faverolles broody?
They may go broody, and broody hens can make attentive mothers.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer Salmon Faverolle hatching eggs?
Yes. Cackle Hatchery® offers Salmon Faverolle Fertile Hatching Eggs during select seasonal windows.
What is Cackle Hatchery’s Salmon Faverolle bloodline history?
Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing its pure Salmon Faverolle bloodline since 1971.
Where can I check Salmon Faverolle availability?
Customers can check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping timing. Availability can change during the season.
