Salmon Faverolles are excellent egg producers that are docile and entertaining to watch. They can handle the cold well and will happily lay colored eggs for you all year in a small coop or yard. They’re a great beginning breed and also make for wonderful pets!.
We brought some new chicken breeds into our flock this year, and salmon faverolles were our favorite.
They can handle very cold weather, so they’ll do well in our cold Vermont winters. Their salmon-colored eggs add another color to our rainbow egg basket.
I need chickens that are friendly and easy to handle because I have two young children. These little fluffy cuties are about as friendly as they come. They’re so friendly, that you actually shouldn’t keep them with many other more “aggressive” chicken breeds.
Some of the other chickens in our coop are Bielefelders and Buff Orpingtons, which are calm, hardy in cold weather, and lay colorful eggs. Salmon Faverolle chickens fit in just fine in this mixed flock of friendly, hardy chickens.
Salmon Faverolles have been a standard breed in North America since 1914. Originally, they were bred in the town of Faverolle (recognize the name?) just south of Paris. In 1860 chicken farmers in the town began crossing French Rennes, Dorkings, Houdans, Flemish Cuckoos, and Malines. At that time, farmers wanted a bird that did well in captivity, laid eggs all winter, and was big enough to sell for meat.
While the farmers were successful, they also unintentionally bred a beautiful bird with unique coloring. Baby chicks are creamy white and very fluffy. When they are 3 to 5 weeks old, the males’ chests will start to turn black, and their bellies and tails will get dark feathers. The hens will stay lighter and show brown and salmon markings on their breast.
You can keep Salmon Faverolles in your yard without much trouble. They are fun to watch and easy to care for. Energetic birds, they’ll dart around bumping into one another, chatting all the while. The birds are very friendly and so docile they won’t stand up for themselves against any yard bullies.
Salmon Faverolles are excellent egg layers and handle cold weather with ease. This is thanks to their fluffy feathers which make them look bigger than they are. Males get up to 8 pounds while females are a bit lighter. They mature more quickly than other heritage breeds at about 19 weeks.
A rarity, you’ll notice the Salmon Faverolle has five toes and they’re all feathered. Wide bodied and almost trapezoidal in shape, this breed carries itself low to the ground. Most well known for its fluffy appearance, they have a wide muff, long beards, and feathered legs. Their wattles are almost not there and their earlobes are small.
Salmon Faverolles chicks don’t change sexes on their own, and it will take 3–5 weeks to be able to tell them apart.
Mature roosters have a straw-colored head and back. Their tails and bellies will be black with some iridescent green in the tail.
Easily swayed by treats, Salmon Faverolles will happily follow you around the yard any time you’re out. These chickens are known for being chatty but aren’t usually loud. Docile as they come, both hens and roosters will let small children pick them up for cuddles. Even though Salmon Faverolles like to hunt for food, they do best in cages and would be great in a small backyard coop.
The roosters in this breed are well known for being calm and docile. To the point that they tend to run from any aggression rather than confront it. For the safety of the birds, it may be best not to place them in mixed flocks.
Salmon Faverolles will do best in colder climates but can tolerate some heat. During the summer months they will need access to plenty of shade and cool water. If these birds don’t keep their feet dry, winter can be hard for them. If their feathers get wet on their feet, they can get frostbite.
Most weeks you can expect your hens to lay 3-4 medium-sized eggs. This adds up to about 180 eggs a year, but if the layers are really good, they can make that number 240. Salmon Faverolles were bred to lay during colder months and are early-layers. You can expect eggs from hens just before they turn 20 weeks old.
Lighter brown to cream eggs are typical. People often say that the eggs are “tinted,” and this tint can have a slightly pink, almost salmon color to it.
Salmon Faverolles have excellent meat, though to reach table-weight it may take 6-8 months. You might want to skip a few weeks of maturing and feed costs if you want to eat meat that is more tender when it is almost full weight.
Some owners will say this is a broody breed, but others will differ. No matter the report, there’s general consensus they’re easy to break from brooding. If left alone, though, they make excellent mothers to chicks.
Get ready for a bird that is always on the move! Salmon Faverolles are very active birds that will enjoy what your yard has to offer. Their fluffy cheek feathers make it hard for them to see danger, but they are always on the lookout.
Having been bred in 1860 there aren’t exact histories for the Salmon Faverolle. Most likely they’re a cross with Houdan, Maline, Dorking, French Rennes, and the Flemish Cuckoo. Some Faverolles are standardized, but in North America, only the Salmon and White breeds are.
Most issues associated with this breed are centered around their abundance of feathers. With feathers extending down their legs and toes, they may pick up some scaly leg mites. Keeping a close eye on their vents and under their wings, you should check them often for mites and lice.
As a mom of young children, I’m really excited about this breed, both for its friendly, calm personality and its beautiful feathers and eggs. Still, I’ll let you decide if the pros outweigh the cons.
These chickens are easier for beginners to take care of, but they still need good food and a good place to live in order to consistently lay eggs. Still, each chicken needs about 3–4 square feet of roost and 8 feet of run. They do well in smaller cages. Lack of space can lead to feather picking and antisocial behavior.
These chickens will happily eat kitchen scraps or find food in the yard, so their food won’t cost you much. However, since they are early layers, you will need to make sure the chicks get high-quality protein feed until they are at least 16 weeks old.
Still looking for some answers? There are some common questions below that will hopefully bring some your way.
Salmon Faverolles are a unique French heritage chicken breed known for their sweet, docile personalities and their light pinkish-brown eggs. If you’re considering adding this breed to your flock, you’re probably wondering – what color eggs do Salmon Faverolles lay exactly? Let’s take a closer look at this breed and the eggs they produce.
An Overview of Salmon Faverolles
The Salmon Faverolles originates from the small village of Faverolles in north-central France. They were developed in the 1860s by crossing local fowl with Houdans, Dorkings, and Brahmas. The goal was to create a dual-purpose bird with good meat production and decent egg-laying abilities.
Some key characteristics of the Salmon Faverolles:
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Medium in size, weighing around 6-7 lbs. Hens are slightly smaller than roosters.
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Feathered shanks and toes – a hallmark of the breed
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Beard and muffs – giving them a sweet, fluffy facial appearance.
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Calm, friendly temperament. They tend to be very docile.
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Decent layers producing 4-5 light brown eggs per week
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Their pinkish-salmon colored plumage is very attractive and distinctive.
While originally raised for both eggs and meat, today the Salmon Faverolles is kept mostly for exhibition, novelty, and as a pet. Their calm nature makes them a good choice for children. The hens lay a moderate amount of small-medium sized light brown eggs with a pink tint.
What Color Are Salmon Faverolles Eggs?
Why are their eggs that color? Salmon Faverolles lay eggs that are light, creamy, pinkish-brown. The inside of the egg is paler, and the shell has a light pinkish tint to it.
They aren’t a bright, vivid pink but rather a softer, muted pink coloring. In certain lights their eggs can even appear more of a light brown or tan color with just a blush of pink. The intensity of the pinkish tone can vary from hen to hen.
Here are some key facts about Salmon Faverolles eggs:
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Shell color ranges from light pinkish-brown to tan.
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Interiors are a pale cream color.
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Small to medium sized eggs.
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Average 4-5 eggs per week.
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Not as prolific as production breeds but decent layers.
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Pink egg color results from their genetics.
The pinkish shell color is the result of pigments deposited as the egg develops within the hen. Only a handful of chicken breeds lay eggs with a hint of pink – the Salmon Faverolles is one of the most well-known.
Why Do They Lay Pinkish Eggs?
You may be wondering why Salmon Faverolles lay eggs with a pinkish hue instead of the usual white or brown eggs most backyard chickens lay. Let’s look at what determines egg shell color in chickens:
Genetics
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Egg color is determined by genetic factors within each breed.
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The breeds that lay pinkish eggs carry the genes for this trait.
Breed
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Only certain breeds, like the Salmon Faverolles, have genetics for pink eggs.
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About 6 breeds are known for their light pink egg shells.
Pigments
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As eggs are formed, colored pigments are deposited into the shell.
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The type of pigments produced influences the final shell color.
Diet
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Diet can help intensify natural egg colors but doesn’t change genetics.
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Foods with carotenoids may deepen yolk color but not the shell color.
Breeds That Lay Pinkish Eggs
As mentioned, only a handful of chicken breeds possess the genetic makeup to produce light pink eggs. Here are the breeds known for their pinkish egg shells:
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Salmon Faverolles – Soft muted pinkish-brown eggs.
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Light Sussex – Light tan pink eggs.
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Australorps – Subtle light pink coloring.
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Silkies – Their small eggs can be a light pinkish cream.
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Buff Orpingtons – Lay huge light pinkish eggs.
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Mottled Javas – Pinkish-brown medium sized eggs.
As you can see, the Salmon Faverolles is in exclusive company when it comes to laying eggs with a rosy pink cast!
Caring for Salmon Faverolles
If you’re interested in raising Salmon Faverolles for their charming pink eggs, here are some tips for keeping this breed happy and healthy:
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Give them plenty of space to roam and forage.
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Provide a supplemented feed formula along with treats.
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Offer oyster shell for added calcium.
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Keep their coop clean, dry, and well-ventilated.
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Check for common issues like mites, lice and worms.
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Give them a enclosed run for safety if unable to free-range.
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Handle gently and frequently so they stay tame.
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Separate roosters if they become aggressive towards hens.
With good care and proper housing, Salmon Faverolles can be very enjoyable backyard chickens! Their docile natures and unique pinkish eggs make them a fun addition to any flock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Salmon Faverolles eggs:
How big are their eggs?
Salmon Faverolles eggs are small to medium in size. Expect eggs weighing 1.5-2 ounces each.
What color are the egg yolks?
Their egg yolks are a rich golden orange color, typical of hens on a nutritious diet.
How often do they lay eggs?
You can expect 4-5 eggs per week from a Salmon Faverolles in peak production.
Do they lay well in winter?
Yes, they tend to continue laying fairly well right through cold winter months.
Do they lay pink eggs reliably?
Most hens will lay eggs with a noticeable pinkish tint, but some may fade over time. The color is always light and subtle in this breed.
Enjoying Those Lovely Pinkish Eggs
The Salmon Faverolles may not pump out eggs in copious quantities like some production breeds, but what they lack in volume they make up for in charm. The delight of gathering their small, rosy-tinted eggs brings a little extra joy to the chore of egg collecting.
Beyond their pink eggs, the Salmon Faverolles is loved for being a gentle, calming presence in the coop and yard. If you value personality as much as productivity, the docile and endearing Salmon Faverolles may be the perfect breed for you. Pull up a chair, watch them contentedly scratch and peck, and enjoy the fruits of their labors in the form of their distinctive lightly-colored eggs.
What color egg does a Salmon Faverolle lay?
Typically cream to a light brown. All their eggs will be a bit tinted and some tint may even reach a slight pink color.
Are Salmon Faverolle chickens autosexing?
No, chicks will look the same after hatching until they are 3-5 weeks old.