Crevecoeur

The Crevecoeur is one of the oldest French breeds. The flock belongs to Yellow House Farm, http://www.yellowhousefarmnh.com/, photographed by Robert Gibson.

Documentation traces them back to the 17th century, but they were probably around but not written about or painted long before that. They are part of the French tradition of breeding Dorkings with Polish and selecting for market traits: good size for meat and good layers of large white eggs. Crevecoeurs have four toes, not the five of Dorkings.

Historically, Crevecoeurs had both leaf combs and horned, V-combs. They are now V-combed. Although they are recognized today only in black, white and blue varieties existed in the past.

Crevecoeurs were among the breeds included in the first Standard in 1874.

Related breeds are the Caumont or Pavilly fowl, which is similar in type but lacks beard and muffs. It often had a smaller crest than is desirable in Crevecoeurs. Caux fowl are also similar in type but have no crest and a single comb. These have been considered races of Crevecoeur in the past. They present an interesting question for research and breeding. I look forward to someone taking on this project!