Chantecler chicken facts for kids
A White Chantecler rooster at the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lac in 1926; today's Chanteclers have much smaller wattles
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| Conservation status | critical |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Use | dual-purpose breed |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
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| Skin color | yellow |
| Egg color | brown |
| Comb type | cushion |
| Classification | |
| APA | American |
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The Chantecler is a special type of chicken that first came from Canada. It was created in the early 1900s at a place called the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lac in Oka, Quebec. This chicken is super tough against cold weather. It's great for both laying eggs and providing meat.
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History of the Chantecler Chicken
At the start of the 1900s, Canada didn't have its own chicken breeds. Farmers and chicken lovers in Canada only had chickens from Europe and America. A Trappist monk named Brother Wilfrid Châtelain noticed this. He was also a Doctor of Agronomy, which means he studied farming.
Creating a Canadian Chicken
In 1907, Brother Châtelain decided to create a chicken perfect for Canada's cold climate. He wanted a chicken that could lay eggs and be good for meat. He worked at the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lac in Oka.
To make the first Chantecler, he mixed several chicken breeds:
This mix created the White Chantecler. People first saw the breed in 1918. In 1921, it was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association. The Chantecler is one of only two chicken breeds from Canada. It's also the only one known to be created mainly by a monk.
Different Colors of Chanteclers
At first, the Chantecler was only meant to be white. White chickens were popular for meat because they looked very clean after being prepared.
In the 1930s, the Partridge Chantecler was developed. This color was better for chickens that roamed freely outside. It was made by crossing:
- Partridge Wyandottes
- Partridge Cochins
- Dark Cornishes
- Brown Leghorns (which have a special comb type)
The Partridge Chantecler was officially recognized in 1935. There has also been a Buff (light orange-brown) type since the 1950s. However, this color has never been officially recognized for shows.
Saving the Chantecler Breed
In 1979, many people thought the Chantecler chicken was gone forever. They believed the last rooster of the breed had died at the University of Saskatchewan. But some small farms had kept the breed alive!
Today, the Chantecler still exists. However, it is listed as "Critical" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. This means there are very few of them left, and they need help to survive.
Chantecler Chicken Characteristics
The Chantecler is a large chicken. It lays a good number of brown eggs and is also a good meat producer.
- Male chickens (roosters) weigh about 9 pounds (4.1 kg).
- Female chickens (hens) weigh between 6.5–7.5 lb (2.9–3.4 kg).
These chickens have yellow skin and beaks. Their feathers are tight against their body, but they also have a lot of soft fluff. They have a very small cushion comb and tiny wattles (the fleshy bits under their chin). These features make the Chantecler one of the best chickens for very cold weather. They are usually gentle birds and can be tamed. However, they might get a bit grumpy if they are kept in small spaces.
