Fayoumi chicken
The Fayoumi is an ancient, hardy, very active Egyptian breed from the Fayoum governorate south-west of Cairo.
The Fayoumi is a pure-bred chicken breed in the PCGB Rare Soft Feather Light class. Its origin is given as Fayoum, Egypt.
It is kept in large form. Recognised colours: Gold Penciled, Silver Pencilled. Typical adult weights: cock about 1.81 kg, hen about 1.36–1.58 kg, bantam cock about 430 g and bantam hen about 400 g.
Expect roughly 180–220 eggs a year, with white/tinted shells. It is mainly kept for eggs.
Compiled from poultryclub.org, poultrykeeper.com, en.wikipedia.org. See sources
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Identity
- Species
- Chicken
- Type
- Pure breed
- PCGB class
- Rare Soft Feather Light
- Origin
- Fayoum, Egypt
- Kept for
- Eggs
History
Thought to have existed for around 4,000 years, it is known in Egypt as Bigawi. In the 1940s an Iowa State University dean imported eggs to the US to test whether Egyptian birds resisted disease better. The Domestic Fowl Trust brought it to Britain in 1984. It is not in the American Standard.
Appearance
Silver- and gold-pencilled. Single comb with even points; bright red comb, wattles and lobes; dark brown eyes. Markings are similar to the Brakel.
Recognised colours
Gold Penciled, Silver Pencilled
Size and weight
- Forms
- Large
- Cock
- 1.81 kg
- Hen
- 1.36–1.58 kg
- Bantam cock
- 430 g
- Bantam hen
- 400 g
Eggs
- Eggs a year
- 180–220
- Egg colour
- White/tinted
Temperament
- In short
- Flighty, very active
- Keeping notes
- Very active, flighty and quick to mature, and copes well with heat. It can easily clear a tall fence.
Hardiness
Hardy; heat-tolerant
Broodiness
Not recorded yet.
Flying
Strong flier; clears tall fences
Suitability
- Good to know
- Rare in the UK.
Conservation status (RBST)
Not on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's priority list.
Breed club
- The Rare Poultry Society, umbrella · Website
Sources
This page is compiled from:
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