Mottled Houdan

No one knows for sure when the Houdan was developed, but it is a very old French breed. It is named for the town of Houdan, which lies about 100 miles west of Paris and has a long poultry-market tradition, supplying the city with both eggs and meat. The Houdan  was developed from crosses of the Crevecoeur​➔​, the Polish​➔​, and native five-toed fowl. Houdans were imported to England around 1850 and came to North America from England in 1865. They tolerate confinement but do very well in a free-range situation, obtaining a substantial amount of their own feed when allowed to roam. The Houdan was first admitted to the APA in 1874. The hens lay a reasonable number of small to medium-size white eggs and lay well into the winter. They are know for exceptionally gentle disposition and make great pets.

• Origin: France
• Purpose: Eggs, show
• Climate: Can handle heat and cold 
• Temperament: Docile, very gentle
• Average weight: 5.5 to 6.5 pounds
• Egg color: White
• Egg size: Medium
• Egg production: About 150+ per year
• Feather color: Stylish mottled plumage with a large V-shaped crest like Polish
• Comb type: V-shape