Crèvecœur
The Crèvecœur is an old French chicken from Normandy, named for the town of Crèvecœur-en-Auge. Historically it was a market fowl for eggs and table use, with a deep body, full crest, beard and muffs, and a V-shaped horn comb partly hidden by head feathers. The classic large fowl is black with a green sheen and dark slate legs, though availability and recognized varieties differ by registry.
Today the breed is uncommon and is most often seen in exhibition, heritage poultry, and small conservation flocks. The crest and beard need practical attention: birds should be able to see, and wet head feathers can chill or invite parasites. Crèvecœurs mature more slowly than industrial broilers, but they carry the frame of a traditional meat bird. Breeding flocks are usually selected for size, vigor, clean black color, head furnishings, and enough genetic diversity to keep this rare French line viable.
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
