Poule de Saint-Omer
Poule de Saint-Omer names a local chicken associated with Saint-Omer and the Audomarois area of Pas-de-Calais in northern France. The region's market gardens, marsh edges, and small farms historically supported practical poultry rather than highly specialized show birds. As with several French place-name breeds, modern documentation is limited, so the name may refer to a scarce landrace, a local strain, or birds maintained through regional recovery work.
Present-day management should match a rare farm chicken from a damp lowland climate. Good drainage around the run, a dry coop, and steady parasite control are more important than elaborate equipment. People sourcing Poule de Saint-Omer birds should ask about origin, breeding aims, and whether the flock is being selected for egg production, table qualities, or historical appearance. Keeping more than one bloodline, when available, helps preserve the breed label as living poultry rather than a name in an old list.
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
