Qualities of Houdans. 
4ir 
“ Whatever has been said to the contrary, this breed, when pure, is most characteristic ; but 
it must be admitted that most of the farmers near Houdan know as little of the pure Houdan 
breed as those of La Fleche and Crevecceur know of theirs ; and, if you were to order some first- 
class birds of them, irrespective of price, they would with good conscience forward fowls of a large 
size — but, from a want of knowledge, some cross breeds. To illustrate this, I may mention that 
I could have purchased, at the markets in those respective localities, splendid thorough-bred 
specimens for about three shillings, the price of common fowls, but which were worth, even in 
France, one pound each. There are, however, in each locality some persons who take an interest 
in their pure breeds, particularly since they have been encouraged by the reward of prizes from 
poultry exhibitions. 
“ The Houdan fowl has a very bulky appearance, its plumage invariably black and white 
spangled, a crest of the same colour ; comb triple, the outsides opening like two leaves of a book, 
and the centre having the appearance of an ill-shaped long strawberry. With the cock the comb 
is very large, whilst with the hen it ought to be scarcely perceptible. The legs are strong and of a 
lead colour, with five claws, the two hind ones one above the other. Strongly-developed whiskers 
and beards both in cocks and hens. This is one of the finest races of fowls, but its qualities surpass 
even its beauty. Besides the smallness of their bones and the fineness of their flesh, they are of an 
extraordinary precocity and fecundity ; they lay large and white eggs, and the chickens are fit for 
the table at four months old. It is, however, observed that they are very indifferent for hatching. 
The weight of adults is from seven to eight pounds, in which the bones figure for one-eighth. The 
chicken when four months old weighs, without the intestines, about four pounds and a half.” 
Further experience of Houdans has proved them to be extraordinarily hardy, and when the 
stock has been selected and bred with judgment, excellent layers ; while they fully keep up the 
character for precocity and fine quality on the table which Mr. Geyelin gives them. We never 
reared any ourselves but once some years ago, when we hatched a sitting of eggs sent by rail. We 
found these chicks hardier even than our Brahmas, and they appeared to feather as if by magic ; but, 
being from a small and recently-imported strain, did not make much weight by the time they were 
killed. English breeders have, however, somewhat increased the size of the fowl, without so far 
apparently injuring its other valuable qualities, and also made some approach to more uniformity 
of colour. We are, however, glad to see that there has been no attempt as yet to “breed to 
feather;” all that has been done being the attainment of a tolerably uniform dark mottled or 
splashed plumage of black and white; and until exaggerated stress came to be laid upon crest and 
comb, no harm appeared to be done. Of the modern or English Houdan, as thus improved 
simply by careful breeding, Mr. R. B. Wood, of Uttoxeter, used to be one of the most 
successful cultivators ; and to his kindness we are indebted for the following notes on the 
variety : — 
“ I have now kept Houdans for nearly seven years, and can safely say that I have not found 
them fall off in any way, but quite the contrary. I find them good layers of fine eggs, and as 
table fowls not, in my opinion, to be surpassed. They are veiy hardy as chickens, feathering and 
maturing in a much shorter time than either Brahmas or Cochins. I consider them a very valuable 
breed for any one to keep when non-sitters are required, as it is very rare for them to show the 
least tendency to incubate. It is also worth remark that though good foragers when at liberty, 
they are easily kept in bounds, being very different to Hamburghs or Game in this respect ; and 
they will bear confinement as well as most breeds. 
“ My idea of a good Houdan cock is as follows : — He should be as large as possible, and carry 
himself well. The comb should be good and characteristic ; not of the Crevecoeur type, but flat 
