Fayoumi

 

The Fayoumi or Egyptian Fayoumi also known in Egypt as Bigawi is a breed of chicken that had its origin and is named after the governorate of Fayoum which is located southwest of Cairo and west of the Nile. It is thought to be an ancient breed.

History

The Fayoumi is thought to be an ancient breed.

In the 1940s a dean of agriculture from Iowa State University imported some eggs from Egypt to the United States, and the birds hatched from African genotypes were cross-bred with American chicks; it was thought that they would have greater resistance to bacterial and viral infection than American chickens. The Fayoumi was not recognized by the American Poultry Association, and is not listed in that organization's Standard of Perfection.

The Fayoumi was first imported into the United Kingdom in 1984. Two colours are recognized, silver-pencilled and gold-pencilled.

Characteristics

Fayoumi is characterized by a single comb, with even serrations. The comb, earlobes and wattles are all bright red; the eyes are brown; the beak and toenails are horn coloured. The two colour varieties - silver pencilled and gold pencilled - are recognised; the colour patterns of the plumage are similar to those of the Belgian Braekel. The bantam Fayoumi is similar to the standard bird in every respect, except it weighs approximately 400 g.