Le Mans

Le Mans is a French chicken breed associated with the Le Mans area in Sarthe, a region with a long history of table poultry. It is generally discussed as a regional farm breed, with value tied to local food traditions and the preservation of old French poultry types. Like several French breeds from named towns, its identity is more specific than a generic barnyard chicken even when modern populations are limited.

For small farms and conservation keepers, Le Mans chickens should be managed with attention to both utility and source history. Birds need room to grow, a balanced ration, dry night housing, and protection from predators if they are kept on range. Breeders should select for the body type and traits recognized in their source line rather than chasing fast growth alone. Buyers should ask whether the flock descends from established preservation stock, because rare regional French names can be used loosely when documentation is weak.

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