Bresse

a.k.a. Gauloise (and possibly the Blue-footed Chicken)

A Bresse hen
Photo courtesy of Jens Engelmann

This French breed was imported to England in 1895.

Originally a light laying breed, the Bresse can produce 250 white eggs per year. In France it also has a good reputation for its flesh. Males weigh 2.5-3 kg (6-7.5 lb) and females 2-2.5 kg (5-6 lb).

Bresse now appear in Black, Blue, Gray and White varieties. The original birds were white with some black ticking on the shoulders and grey wingbars. They can be a bit flighty and a tall fence is a good idea.

there is a bird that is becoming popular in fancy food restaurants and the like, which is known as the Blue-footed Chicken. As far as I have been able to figure out, it may be a derivation of the Bresse.

Breed clubs:

Bresse-Gauloise Club
Thomassin Denis
Les Mirabelliers
rue Saint Germain
54115 Battigny
France

A Bresse rooster
Photo courtesy of Claudia Schmidt

Another Bresse hen
Photo courtesy of Jens Engelmann

Two more Bresse, rooster on the right
Photos courtesy of Peta Morton

Here's a Gray Bresse hen
Photo courtesy of Claudia Schmidt

A two-day-old Bresse chick
Photo courtesy of Claudia Schmidt

White and Gray Bresse chicks
Photo courtesy of Claudia Schmidt

Two-week-old Bresse chicks
Photo courtesy of Katrin Stricker

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