The Basque chicken is a beautiful breed that hails from the region between France and Spain. They are best known for being able to thrive in very difficult conditions.
Basque hens are excellent egg layers and rarely go broody. This is a dual-purpose breed, meaning it can be used for both egg and meat production. This makes them an excellent choice for homesteaders.
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Basque Chicken Breed Quick Info
Basque Chicken Description
| Basque Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Light yellow and white |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Reddish-yellow |
| Skin Color: | White |
| Basque Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Basque Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Basque breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare |
Basque Use
| Meat | Yes |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | Yes |
| Basque Temperament: | Gentle, friendly |
| Basque Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Basque Egg Production
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Size | X-Large |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 180-220 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | Low |
Basque Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | 5 ½ lbs. |
| Dressed Weight Female | 3 ¾ lbs. |
Basque Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Excellent |
| Cold | Excellent |
Basque Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 5 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 5 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | 16 Weeks |
Basque Size at Maturity
| Male | 8 lbs. |
| Female | 5 ½ lbs. |
Origins of the Basque Chicken
The Basque chicken breed was developed in the mountainous region between Spain and France. Here, farmers raised several varieties of landrace chickens that are considered basque chickens. They were raised in rugged, mountainous terrain that other breeds would not be able to survive in.
They are still rare within the country of Spain and even rare outside of the country. They are a fairly new addition to the United States chicken population.
Some Things to Know About the Basque Chicken
The Basque chicken is a medium-sized breed of chicken. They have light yellow plumage with white edging and black tails. They also have a red single comb and wattles. This gives them a beautiful, striking look, especially the roosters, with their long tail feathers.
You can also find them in these colors: red, black, silver, and brown striped.
How Easy is it to Keep Basque Chickens?
The Basque chicken is a very hardy bird. It was developed in a very rugged, mountainous area where not many breeds would thrive. They can withstand cold and hot temperatures very well.
When it comes to their temperament, they are known to be easy-going and gentle. They can be tamed fairly easily and enjoy being around humans, especially if they were raised around them.
These birds are excellent free-range birds as they excel at foraging. Overall, these birds make a wonderful choice for backyard chicken owners and homesteaders.
Special Care and Considerations for Basque Chickens
As with all birds with a single comb, frostbite can be an issue. When the temperature drops, you can help to protect their comb with a bit of vaseline.
Otherwise, Basque chickens are extremely healthy, hardy birds who are not prone to any specific health issues or concerns.
