Other names French: Poule d'Alsace Distribution Bas-RhinHaut-Rhin | Country of origin France | |
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Conservation status FAO (2007):standard: not at riskbantam: endangered Use dual-purpose, eggs and meat Weight Male: 2–3 kgFemale: 2–2.5 kg Similar Ardennaise, Liège Gamecock, Pictave, Combattant de Bruges, Bergische Kräher | ||
The Alsacienne or French: Poule d'Alsace is a breed of domestic chicken from Alsace, in eastern France. It was selectively bred in the 1890s, at a time when Alsace was part of the German Empire. Unlike most other French breeds, it has not been cross-bred with imported Oriental stock.
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History
The Alsacienne is an ancient breed, perhaps as long-established as the Bresse Gauloise, which it closely resembles. The present type was formed in the late nineteenth century by selective breeding for a dual-purpose bird; Alsace was at this time a part of the German Empire. The Alsacienne may be related to the German Rheinländer breed, but is differentiated from it by the shape of the comb. In the twentieth century the breed came close to disappearance, and is still regarded as being at risk. A bantam was created in Alsace by Herscher, Hirschner and Trog; it was on the "endangered" list of the FAO in 2007.
Description
It is a Mediterranean-type chicken, lively and active, strongly resembling the golden Gallic chicken but with a curly comb. This fowl has a cylindrical body and is of medium size. Raising it requires space, because the Alsace chicken is very active. It easily moves to some distance from its hen house to look for its food. Moreover, it flies very well; it can get over two-meters high fences and readily perches in a tree for the night.
General appearance
This is a hen of medium height, with a stocky and cylindrical body and a proud and elegant appearance.
Dwarf breed:
Characteristics of the rooster
Characteristics of the hen
The characteristics are the same as those of the rooster, taking into account the sexual differences. The back line is straight. The breast is large and deep. The feathers are close to the body. The tail is open.
Four colours are recognised for the Alsacienne: black, blue-laced, golden salmon and white. The ear-lobes are white.
Serious defects
Comb different than curly, back too short, red eye iris in the black bird variety. Feet greenish or yellowish. Rooster weighing less than 2kg. Hen weighing less than 1.6kg.
Plumage varieties
Four varieties are accepted for the standard: golden salmon, black, white and blue with a dark edging. The black variety is the most common.
Uses
The Alsacienne is a good layer of large white eggs, which weigh at least 60 g.
In a tasting of the meat of 30 traditional French chicken breeds by a jury of well-known chefs including Pierre Troisgros, the Alsacienne was placed second, after the poulet de Bresse.