Bresse Chickens: Breed Profile
The French poultry famous for meat.
Bresse chickens come from France.
Purpose
They are raised for meat.
Where the breed stands today
The breed is protected.
What to look for in a Bresse project animal
Look for white feathers and blue legs. Have a knowledgeable adult, a breeder or your veterinarian look the animal over before you buy, and compare more than one seller.
Showing Bresse at 4-H and FFA
Chickens are judged against the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection, usually by hands-on exam. Rules differ by fair, so read your show book before you commit.
Pros
- Famous meat
- Heritage
- Calm
- Chickens are inexpensive, so a first project costs far less than large livestock.
- Poultry shows judge birds against a written Standard, which teaches observation and terminology.
Cons
- Cost
- Few in the United States
- Few classes
- Poultry shows have biosecurity and health rules that apply to every bird.
- Strain matters: hatchery birds often differ from exhibition birds and may not match the Standard.
Caring for your project
Plan for clean housing, balanced feed, regular handling and parasite checks. Keep a record book from the first day, and write down feed, health care and costs, because judges and buyers both ask about them.
Getting started
A good first step is to visit a show in your area and watch the classes for your species. Talk with exhibitors, the superintendent and your club advisor about what they look for, and ask whether the show has a class for Bresse. Many students find a mentor this way, and a mentor can save you from the most expensive beginner mistakes.
Planning your budget
Add up the purchase price, feed, bedding, veterinary care, entry fees, travel and equipment before you commit. Ask your advisor what a typical project costs in your county, and plan for the chance that the animal will not qualify for the sale. A realistic budget keeps the project fun for the student and fair to the family.
Show-day tips
Arrive early so the animal and the exhibitor can settle before the class. Check the show book for the class name, age limits and check-in time, and bring your paperwork, feed, water and cleaning supplies. Judges notice calm, well-prepared exhibitors, so keep the animal clean, stay quiet in the ring and answer questions honestly. Afterward, ask the judge for feedback, because a few minutes of advice can shape next year's project.
Learning from the ring
Win or lose, every class teaches something. Write down what the judge said, compare notes with other exhibitors and talk with your advisor about one thing to improve before the next show. Students who treat each show as practice usually improve fastest, and they tend to enjoy the project more.
Questions to ask a breeder
- Does the bird come from exhibition stock or hatchery stock?
- How old is she, and has she been through a molt?
- Has the flock been tested or vaccinated?
- Has she been handled and trained for hands-on judging?
- Will the breeder help me understand the Standard?
Bottom line
Bresse are a French fowl.
To see how the contests work, read How Showmanship Is Judged. Suppliers, vets and feed stores near you are listed at agriculture.directory. For a lighter look at fair life, farm.fm has Pilgrim’s Pride Pays Up in Chicken Feed—Literally, and the Livestock Conservancy tracks the status of rare breeds.