Breeding Cre recce urs. 
4i5 
original stock. However this may be, the fowl has become since decidedly more hardy and easier 
to rear ; and the fact is worthy of special record, as holding out hopes of successful acclimatisation 
in similar or future cases, even after many years of apparent failure. 
The following notes by Mr. R. B. Wood, of Uttoxeter, will fully corroboiate the facts we have 
stated : — 
“ My experience of Crevecceurs,” he says, “ does not altogether agree with Mr. Blinkhorn s as 
to the cock’s throwing led or golden feathers with age. I have never been troubled in this way, but 
I do find a great tendency in both cocks and hens to throw out more or less white feathers in the 
crests after the first moult, and, though objectionable, I would not discard an otherwise good bird 
on this account. I fancy by care the fault may be bred out. 
“ In the cock I should look for good size, lustrous greenish-black colour, sprightly carriage, 
and good two-horned comb (if free from tynes so much the better), and also a good crest and 
muffling, although I am of opinion it is the hen we must chiefly look to for producing chickens 
good in these respects. Therefore, one of the first points I should look for in the hen would be a 
large globular crest, with a comb rather small for pullet- breeding, but the larger-combed birds are 
the best to breed cockerels from. I would also like the hen of a good greenish-black colour, not 
brownish, which looks bad. 
“ Crevecoeurs have, without doubt, wonderfully improved in hardiness during the last few years 
so much so, that I now find them very nearly as hardy as Houdans. I may also say, as a breeder 
of both, that I find them easier to breed good than that variety, that is, if really good specimens be 
selected for the breeding-pens. As layers I consider them good. I have found them produce 
more eggs, and those exceedingly fine ones too, than either my Houdans or Dark Brahmas. For 
the table they are excellent, and, like the Houdan, are ready for the spit at a very early age. 
They are of a very sociable disposition, and easily kept within bounds ; although, if given their 
liberty, they are by no means bad foragers.” 
Other accounts differ occasionally, but so late as 1889 Mr. S. W. Thomas has written bearing 
the same testimony to their hardiness, and laying in the midst of snow, when there was not an egg 
from his Houdans. It is beyond doubt that at a certain point there was a marked and apparently 
unaccountable change in the constitution of the breed, or else hardier stock was imported. We do 
not think this improvement is generally known ; for otherwise we can hardly account for a breed 
so large and handsome and useful being so seldom kept. It is probable that the old tradition of 
delicacy remains, and repels admirers. 
The Creve is the bulkiest in appearance of all the French races ; indeed, we have often 
thought that it must have had a cross with the Cochin, which is to some extent borne out by its 
enormous appetite. It is the favourite market-fowl of Normandy, and the flesh is both of good 
colour and most delicate flavour. No fowl could perhaps better show the absurdity of the pre- 
judice against dark legs in poultry for the table, which still lingers in many quarters. It bears 
close confinement admirably if not allowed to get too fat ; but, like the Houdan, is somewhat liable 
to feather-eating under these circumstances. 
In breeding, it is desirable to choose the green-black colour, with which, of course, are to be 
sought full-sized and solid-looking crests, and the fine frame and square development which always 
mark good specimens. It is also better to choose a moderate amount of wattle. Many of the 
finest birds first imported had golden hackles, but little difficulty should now be found in obtaining 
perfectly black specimens. The perfectly black crest is by no means secured yet, white appearing 
almost constantly in the second year. Nothing could plainer show the relationship with the 
White-crested Black Polish fowl ; but the white is still to be considered a fault, and bred out as 
