Barbezieux (chicken)

The Barbezieux (French pronunciation: [baʁbəzjø]) is a French breed of chicken.^[1][2] It is one of the tallest chicken breeds native to Europe.^[3]

Barbezieux hen

The breed, considered rare, was recreated by four chicken breeders between 1980 and 1985.^[4]

Currently chickens conforming to the standard are raised in its region of origin. It should also be noted the recent creation of a production sector for quality chickens with a label marked “Poulet de race Barbezieux, race ancienne”, due to the efforts of ASPOULBA (Association pour la sauvegarde de la poule de Barbezieux).^[5] In 2003, ASPOULBA drafted regional specifications bringing together five breeders and defining the criteria for production, feeding, and slaughter in a defined territory.^[6]

The breed is renowned for its tasty, almost gamey meat. About 10,000 to 12,000 birds are raised per year and slaughtered after a minimum of 110 days.^[7]