Faverolles Bantam

The Faverolles Bantam is a broad, deep, and long bird with a distinctive rectangular silhouette. Its most striking features are found on the head: a dense, three-part beard and muffs that almost entirely cover the face and earlobes, giving it a fluffy, owl-like appearance. The breed possesses a single, upright comb and very small wattles that are hidden behind the beard. One of its most unique traits is the presence of five toes on each foot, a rarity in the poultry world. The legs are lightly feathered on the outer sides, continuing down to the outer toe. They weigh approximately 2.6-2.9 lbs (1200-1300g) for roosters and 2.2-2.4 lbs (1000-1100g) for hens.

For an ornamental bantam, the Faverolles is a respectable layer, producing about 150 to 180 eggs per year. The eggs are typically tinted to light brown in color and weigh roughly 1.4 oz (40g). Hens are known to be broody and make excellent, attentive mothers. Their calm demeanor makes them easy to manage during the nesting period, though their feathered feet require clean bedding to prevent egg breakage or contamination.

Faverolles Bantams exhibit significant sexual dimorphism, particularly in the popular Salmon variety. Roosters are much darker and more colorful, featuring an ivory hackle and saddle with a black beard and breast. They often show striking mahogany-red splashes on the shoulders and wing bows. In contrast, hens are primarily creamy salmon-brown on their backs and wings, with a lighter, wheaten-colored breast and beard. The hen’s body shape is also slightly lower-set and more massive in appearance compared to the rooster, who carries himself with more stateliness.

This breed is considered very hardy and adapts well to various climates. Their dense plumage and muffling provide excellent protection against the cold. However, because of their heavily feathered legs and beards, they can struggle in muddy or damp conditions. Wet feathers can lead to frostbite in freezing temperatures or foot health issues like scaly leg mites. American keepers should ensure their run is dry and provide low perches to protect their delicate leg feathers.

The most iconic color is the Salmon, which is the standard-bearer for the breed. Other recognized varieties include White, Black, Blue, and Blue Salmon. The Dutch standard also recognizes Blue Laced and Cuckoo. In the Salmon variety, breeders look for a clean contrast between the straw-colored hackles and the deep black breast of the rooster, and a warm, even salmon-pink for the hen.