Pedrês Portuguesa
Portuguese breed of chicken From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pedrês Portuguesa is a Portuguese breed of domestic chicken. It is one of four Portuguese chicken breeds, the others being the Amarela, the Branca and the Preta Lusitânica.[7]
History
The Pedrês Portuguesa is a traditional rural breed. It is distributed throughout continental Portugal but is most numerous in the north-western part of the country.[3]: 204 Its area of origin is considered to consist of the former province of Minho and some concelhos of the neighbouring provinces of Douro Litoral and Trás-os-Montes.[3]: 204
In the early twenty-first century the breed was considered to be at risk, with a population of some 4500 breeding hens.[8]: 10 By 2024 the total population had risen to an estimated 15473–26893 birds, with a breeding stock of 6526 hens and 1611 cocks distributed over 316 farms.[2][7] Its conservation status was listed as "not at risk".[2]
Characteristics
The Pedrês Portuguesa is found in only one colour variant, the barred pattern of narrow dark grey bars on a white or light grey ground for which it is named.[3]: 205 The comb is single, with five or six points; the face, comb and earlobes are all bright red. The shanks are unfeathered and are pale yellow in colour with dark slate markings; the beak is pale yellow, sometimes slate-coloured at the base.[3]: 205 Body weights are in the range 2.6–3.2 kg for cocks and 2.2–2.7 kg for hens; ring sizes are 17 mm and 15 mm respectively.[3]: 205
The birds are active and hardy and show good resistance to disease and to adverse environmental conditions. They are well suited to the extensive or free-range management – either in the open or in a chicken-run – typical of small family-run farms.[3]: 204
Use
The Pedrês Portuguesa is a dual-purpose breed, raised for both meat and eggs.[3]: 204 The feathers may be used to make flies for trout-fishing.[3]: 204
References
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