The Penedesenca chicken breed hails from Spain and lays beautiful dark brown eggs. Their eggs are more pigmented early in each laying season and fade slightly as the year goes on.
Hens are rarely broody, which is good news if you don’t plan on raising chicks.
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Penedesenca Chicken Breed Quick Info
Penedesenca Chicken Description
| Penedesenca Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Wheaten, partridge, crele, or black |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Pink |
| Skin Color: | White |
| Penedesenca Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Penedesenca Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Penedesenca breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare |
Penedesenca Use
| Meat | No |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | No |
| Penedesenca Temperament: | Active, skittish |
| Penedesenca Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Penedesenca Egg Production
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 150 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | Low |
Penedesenca Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | N/A |
| Dressed Weight Female | N/A |
Penedesenca Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Excellent |
| Cold | Moderate |
Penedesenca 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 | N/A |
Penedesenca Size at Maturity
| Male | 5 lbs. |
| Female | 4 lbs. |
Origins of the Penedesenca Chicken
This breed originated in the Catalonia district of Spain. They were a local breed discovered by outsiders only one hundred years ago, during the 1920s.
After the start of the Spanish Civil War, breed numbers dropped. It wasn’t until the 1980s that a Spanish biologist named Antonio Jorda started an international program trying to bring the breed back into the public eye.
Today, the breed remains rare, especially outside of Spain.
Some Things to Know About the Penedesenca Chicken
This breed has an unusual type of comb called a “king’s comb” or “carnation comb.” They are red, much like other combs, but the shape is what makes them unique. They start out as a single comb in the front, then split into several sections at the back.
You can find the Penedesenca chicken in four colors: crele, black, wheaten, and partridge. Legs and beak color varies depending on which color a chicken is.
How Easy is it to Keep Penedesenca Chickens?
The Penedesenca chicken breed is a very active bird. This means that they enjoy having space to run and wander around. They excel as free-range birds and do not tolerate confinement well.
Like other Mediterranean breeds of chicken, they prefer warm climates over cold ones. Their smaller body size and large comb make them vulnerable to cold weather.
When it comes to their temperament, Penedesence chickens are not especially friendly. They tend to be skittish and not fond of human interaction. This means that they are not the best pet or show birds.
Special Care and Considerations for Penedesenca Chickens
As with all birds with a large comb, frostbite can be an issue. When the temperature drops, you can help to protect their comb with a bit of vaseline.
