Mottled Houdan Chicken
The
Mottled Houdan chicken originated in France and gets its name from the city of Houdan, near Paris. The
Houdan Chicken is similar in build and feather type to the
Crevecoeur Chicken and the
Polish Chicken, two birds probably used in its creation to achieve the desired crest. The
Mottled Houdan was first exported to North America in 1865, and was first featured in the American Standard of Perfection in 1874
The crested
Mottled Houdan Chicken differs from the Polish and Crevecoeur in that it is always bearded and has five toes, a trait probably developed from breeding with the Dorking chicken or other French Breeds.
Mottled Houdan Chickens are Fluffy and Crested and also have a V-shaped comb like it's fellow crested relatives, though much smaller than the comb of the Crevecoeur.
Mottled Houdan Chickens are exceptionally docile and gentle creatures, making good pets. They are tolerant of confinement and they are fairly good layers of medium sized white eggs. Some use the
Mottled Houdan Chicken for egg production and their meat, but most keep this bird for ornamental and exhibition purposes.
