Castilian
The Castilian chicken, often called Black Castilian or Castellana Negra, is an old Spanish Mediterranean breed from Castile. It is a clean-lined, active black fowl with a large single comb, white earlobes, dark legs, and glossy plumage with a green sheen. Historically it was valued as a white-egg layer and is often mentioned among the Spanish breeds that influenced later Mediterranean poultry, though modern numbers are limited compared with commercial hybrids.
Castilians suit dry, open management better than cramped or cold, wet housing. They forage well, stay alert, and are generally kept for eggs, genetic conservation, and regional heritage rather than heavy carcass production. Hens are not usually selected for strong broodiness, so planned hatching often uses incubators or broody hens of another breed. Preservation breeders look for correct black color, white earlobe expression, strong combs, and productive females while avoiding crosses sold merely as black Spanish-type chickens.
Colors: Barred, Birchen, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Gold, Gold Laced, Laced, Lavender, Mille Fleur, Mottled, Partridge, Penciled, Porcelain, Red, Silver, Silver Laced, Spangled, Splash, Wheaten, White
