The Extremena chicken breed is endangered and is under the conservation efforts of an aviculture association in Extremadura, Spain. Though a slow-developing breed, they are being encouraged as dual-purpose birds.
These hens lay a good number of medium-sized, light brown eggs and have a high-quality meat carcass. They have a moderate level of broodiness.
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Extremeña Chicken Breed Quick Info
Extremeña Chicken Description
| Extremeña Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Varies |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Yellow |
| Skin Color: | Yellow |
| Extremeña Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Extremeña Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Extremeña breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Endangered |
Extremeña Use
| Meat | Yes |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | Yes |
| Extremeña Temperament: | Active |
| Extremeña Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Extremeña Egg Production
| Egg Color | Light Brown |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | Unknown |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | Medium |
Extremeña Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | 5.5 lbs |
| Dressed Weight Female | 3.75 lbs |
Extremeña Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Excellent |
| Cold | Poor |
Extremeña Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 5-7 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 5 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | 4-6 Months |
Extremeña Size at Maturity
| Male | 7.75 lbs |
| Female | 5.5 lbs |
Origins of Extremeña Chicken
This breed originated in the Extremadura region of Spain. It was not until recently that they were recognized by the Spanish Poultry Standard as an official breed.
Today, they are raised as dual-purpose birds. It is rare to find them outside of Spain.
Some Things to Know About Extremeña Chicken
There is a blue variety of this breed, called Extremeña Azul, as well as splash white and black varieties. They are a medium-large size with yellow beaks and red earlobes. They have a single comb and dark eyes, as well as yellow skin and yellow legs.
How Easy is it to Keep Extremeña Chickens?
These are popular backyard birds in Spain, as they are heat-hardy, great foragers, and require low feed amounts compared to their output. They are also known to be healthy and disease resistant. However, they do not do well in cold climates.
Special Care and Considerations for Extremeña Chickens
As with all breeds with a single comb, Extremena chickens are at risk of developing frostbite in the winter. This is one reason that they are not especially cold-hardy. You can use a swipe of vaseline to help protect their comb and wattles from freezing in low temperatures.
