Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What Is the Crévecoeur Chicken?
The Crévecoeur is France’s oldest documented chicken breed, with records dating back to the 17th century in Normandy. The name comes from the town of Crévecoeur-en-Auge in the Calvados region — though some romanticize the translation as “broken heart,” which adds a touch of drama to an already dramatic-looking bird.
This is a fully black breed — jet black plumage with a greenish iridescent sheen, black beak, and black legs — topped with a full, dramatic crest and a V-shaped comb. The Crévecoeur also carries a full beard and muffs that frame the face. It is, in short, one of the most visually striking breeds in the world of heritage poultry.
Crévecoeur Egg Production
The Crévecoeur is not a high-production layer, and historically it was valued more for meat than for eggs. Expect approximately 100 to 120 white eggs per year from a laying hen — roughly 2 to 3 per week during the active season.
Production slows significantly in winter and during periods of heavy molting. Crévecoeurs are not the right choice if consistent year-round egg supply is your primary goal. They’re the right choice if you want a living piece of French poultry history in your backyard with a reasonable contribution to the egg basket.
Crévecoeur Broodiness
Crévecoeur hens rarely go broody. If you want to breed them, plan to use an incubator or a broody foster hen from another breed. This is common with many of the French ornamental and dual-purpose breeds.
Crévecoeur Temperament
The Crévecoeur is a calm, stately breed. They’re not particularly flighty, and they handle confinement reasonably well compared to active Mediterranean breeds. They’re not the cuddliest birds — they lean toward dignified indifference rather than lap-chicken behavior — but with regular handling, they become manageable and even friendly.
Their crest can limit their field of vision, which sometimes makes them more skittish in environments where they feel they can’t see threats clearly. Providing a calm, predictable environment and approaching them from the front helps reduce startle responses.
Flock Compatibility
Crévecoeurs do well in mixed flocks with other calm breeds. Avoid pairing them with aggressive breeds, as their limited vision from the crest can make them more vulnerable in disputes. They’re not big fighters. Good companions include Australorps, Wyandottes, and Marans — breeds with calm temperaments and similar non-aggressive dynamics.
Crévecoeur Physical Characteristics
- Hen weight: approximately 5.5 lbs
- Rooster weight: approximately 7 lbs
- Comb: V-shaped (horn comb)
- Crest: Full, globe-shaped, black
- Beard and muffs: Full beard, muffed cheeks
- Plumage: Black only (recognized color)
- Legs: Dark slate/black, four toes, clean
Crévecoeur Care Requirements
Housing Considerations
Standard coop requirements apply: 4 square feet indoors per bird, 10 square feet of outdoor run, solid predator-proofing, and dry, well-ventilated space. The Crévecoeur’s crest and facial feathering make it especially important to keep the coop dry — damp feathering around the face and head creates conditions for mites and fungal issues.
Good coop bedding choices include pine shavings (deep litter method works well) or straw. Avoid any bedding that stays wet. Learn more about setting up proper housing in our chicken coop plans guide.
Crest Care
The full crest that makes Crévecoeurs so striking also requires extra attention. Check the crest regularly for:
- Mite or lice infestations (the dense feathering is a favorite hiding spot for parasites)
- Eye discharge or irritation from feathers rubbing against the eyes
- Matted or damp feathering that can harbor bacteria
In wet climates, some keepers trim the crest feathers slightly to improve vision and reduce moisture retention. This is a personal choice — show birds should not be trimmed, but backyard birds benefit from visibility.
Cold Hardiness
The Crévecoeur’s V-shaped comb is low-frostbite-risk, but the crest and facial feathers can collect moisture and freeze in very cold weather. In harsh winter climates, keep the coop dry and draft-free. Avoid waterers that splash onto facial feathers during cold snaps.
Feeding Crévecoeurs
Standard laying hen nutrition: 16% layer pellets with free-choice oyster shell and fresh water at all times. Because Crévecoeurs have limited production output, there’s no benefit to feeding higher-protein rations unless you’re raising meat cockerels alongside laying hens.
➡️ Browse heated chicken waterers on Amazon — ideal for winter flocks with crested breeds
Is the Crévecoeur Right for Your Flock?
The Crévecoeur is a conservation breed — you’re not keeping it because it outperforms modern layers or meat birds. You’re keeping it because it’s a remarkable piece of French agricultural heritage, visually stunning, and genuinely enjoyable to observe in a well-managed flock.
If egg production and efficiency are your main goals, look at Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, or Leghorns instead. If you want something rare, historically significant, and visually dramatic that still produces a modest egg supply — the Crévecoeur is one of a kind. Compare it with other ornamental and heritage breeds in our complete breed directory.
Crévecoeur Quick Reference
- Origin: Normandy, France (one of France’s oldest breeds)
- Primary use: Historically meat; now ornamental/dual-purpose
- Eggs per year: 100–120 white eggs
- Temperament: Calm, stately, manageable
- Broodiness: Rarely broody
- Cold hardiness: Moderate (crest management required)
- Conservation status: Critical (American Livestock Breeds Conservancy)
- Beginner-friendly: Intermediate — extra care for crest