La Flèche: A Rare French Breed

The La Flèche, or La Flèche Chicken, is a rare and historically significant French dual-purpose breed, originating from the Sarthe department in the Pays de la Loire region of France. Named for the town of La Flèche, the breed is celebrated for its meat quality and distinctive characteristics. It is renowned for high-quality meat and white skin, often called the "Devil's Chicken" or "Satan Chicken" due to its distinctive V-shaped horns.

Origin and History

Geographic Origin and Naming:

The breed originates from the Sarthe department in the Loire Valley region of France, named after the town of La Flèche. The name itself is derived from the French word "la fleche," meaning "the arrow," referencing the distinctive shape of the breed's comb. It is believed the breed's development occurred in Le Mans during the fifth century, then Mizeray, and finally in La Flèche. Today, some birds from this area are sometimes sold as the "Fowl of Le Mans."

Historical Status:

The La Flèche breed is documented back to the fifteenth century, with an early description dating from 1846. The breed enjoyed a period of fame and success in the first half of the twentieth century. However, like many native French breeds (with the exception of the Bresse), its numbers declined significantly after the Second World War. It is a rare French breed and is listed as Critical by The Livestock Conservancy.

International History and Decline:

Some La Flèche birds were exported to other regions:

• United States: Some were exported in the 1850s, but they were found to be too delicate for the climate and were subsequently abandoned for hardier breeds. The Black variety of La Flèche was later recognized by the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1874. No other color varieties have been recognized by the APA.
• Germany: Some birds were exported around 1860.
• Britain: Others were exported to Britain by William Bernhardt Tegetmeier in 1882.

The breed nearly disappeared in the 1960s and 1970s but has since undergone a gradual recovery. In 2011, a rescue project was launched by the Animal Breed Conservatory of Pays de la Loire to aid in its conservation.

Breed Characteristics

The La Flèche is a medium-sized, dual-purpose bird known for its excellent table qualities.

Temperament and Care:

• Temperament: The breed is described as active.
• Pet Suitability: The La Flèche is not recommended as a pet chicken. They tend to be flighty and may prefer to avoid humans. While they tolerate confinement, they prefer to be free-ranging and require plenty of room to roam to prevent boredom.
• Environment: They thrive in warm climates and generally do not fare well in cold weather. They are not aggressive and can coexist with other breeds, provided there is no competing rooster.

Physical Traits:

• Plumage and Skin: The plumage is primarily black (this is its only recognized color variety in the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection). The skin is white.
• Head and Comb: The fowl possesses a distinctive V-shaped comb that resembles an arrow, which is the source of its name. The face, comb, and wattles are a deep red, while the earlobes are a vivid white. The beak is dark, either horn-colored or black, and the eyes are dark red or black.
• Legs and Feet: The legs and feet are typically dark slate in color.
• Tail: The breed has a full, well-curved tail.
• Overall Appearance: The birds are medium-sized, and despite their tight-fitting feathers, they are considered heavier than they appear. They resemble Spanish chickens, distinguished mainly by their comb structure.

Size and Weight:

The breed is considered medium-sized. Specific standard weights are detailed below for both standard and bantam varieties. The cock weighs about 8 lbs and the hen weighs about 6.5 lbs.

Egg Production:

Hens are known for good egg production:

• Quantity: Hens may lay about 180 white eggs per year.
• Size: Eggs are large to extra-large, with an average weight of 60 g.

Meat Quality:

The La Flèche is highly regarded for its table qualities:

• Flesh: They possess thin, white skin with tender, juicy, delicate, short-grained flesh.
• Fat Distribution: The breed fattens well, with fat distributed across the breasts, legs, thighs, and back.
• Offal: They have a small proportion of offal (edible internal organs) relative to meat.

Color Varieties

The APA only recognizes the black variety, but five color varieties are recognized within the French standard:

Uses

The La Flèche is a dual-purpose breed, valued equally for meat and eggs.

• Meat Production: They are celebrated for producing magnificent capons (castrated cockerels) and poulardes (fattened pullets) that are highly valued in the Paris and Anjou markets.
• Egg Production: Hens produce about 180 large/extra-large white eggs per year.
• Traditional Practices: Historically, the breed was used in the practice of "gaver," where a tube was inserted into the bird's mouth to provide a blended wet mash to supplement their diet and fatten them.

The La Flèche chicken stands as a testament to the historical importance of native French poultry, offering superior table quality and distinctive appearance. Despite its rarity, its rich history and exceptional meat attributes ensure its continued recognition within poultry heritage.