Egyptian Fayoumi Chicken

     The Egyptian Fayoumi is a truly ancient breed of Chickens named after the Faiyum Governorate southwest of Cairo. It has been raised along the River Nile in Egypt since the times of the pharaohs. Fayoumis are believed to be descendants of Sri Lankan Junglefowl hybrids with domestic fowl that have adapted for life in thorn palm forests and marshes in Egypt ~ 3,000 years ago.

     Fayoumis were bred for egg production and are incredibly resistant to diseases, giving them the reputation of being virtually indestructible by bacteria or virus. They have medium-sized single combs, red earlobes with a white spot, and slate-blue legs. Fayoumis don’t like being handled at all, and will become very vocal when being picked up. They prefer free-range rearing, as they are excellent foragers and hence they need less supplements. Fayoumis are semi-wild in nature and do well in avoiding predators too.

     Fayoumi hens are good layers of small, off-white eggs (180 – 220 eggs per year). They are not given to broodiness as pullets, but can be when they reach two or three years of age. The Egyptian Fayoumi is fast to mature, with hens laying by four and a half months, and cockerels crowing at five or six weeks.

     Fayoumi chickens are available almost only in the silver-penciled color-variety. Reports tell they are available in the golden-penciled color-variety too, but it’s extremely rare. The Fayoumi’s appearance is remarkably similar to that of the Belgian Campine. The Campine and the Braekel themselves may be descended from a Fayoumi-like chicken brought north in Europe by the Romans long ago. A bantam version is also available for the Fayoumi chicken breed.