American Bresse Chicken: The Tastiest Breed

Have you ever heard about American Bresse? If you haven’t, it is likely because this poultry breed isn’t that common in the US and Canada. It is the US take on the famous French Bresse chicken breed, known as one of the tastiest chickens ever. 

Besides having an exceptional taste, American Bresse is a decent egg layer. So, if you want the finest of both worlds, American Bresse can be an excellent choice. 

• The American counterpart of the French Bresse chicken
• Mostly kept for its tasty meat
• Lay around 260 eggs yearly
• Snow white appearance

History 

Bred for the first time five centuries ago in eastern France, the French Bresse is considered one of the tastiest treasures of France. While these chickens have gained recognition and popularity in their home country, they are not widely seen in America. In fact, finding them outside of French restaurants is pretty rare.

The breed made its way to the US in 2011. So, if you aren’t familiar with this name, it is because it is still relatively new. It is worth noting that the American Poultry Association has yet to accept this breed officially.

What are American Bresse Chickens?

Genetically, American Bresse chickens are nearly identical to their French counterparts. However, a different breed name was adopted in America due to legal restrictions on the name “Bresse” outside of the small French region.

In short, the American Bresse is the US counterpart of the French Bresse chicken.

Characteristics 

American Bresse chickens are considered a medium-sized to large breed. They typically have a broad body and are known for their muscular build.  

Hens weigh around 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg), while roosters weigh around 6.6 pounds (3 kg).

With a striking color combination, they have steel blue legs, a red comb and wattles, and white feathers all over their body.

It’s amazing how the combination of colors resembles the French flag, and it’s a fun coincidence that the American flag shares the same colors.

They also come in other colors like gray, black, and blue. However, these aren’t as common as white.

American Bresse Hen vs Rooster

American Bresse, both male and female chickens, have distinctive coloration, resembling the French flag’s red, white, and blue.

Roosters are characterized by their large red single comb and wattles, contrasting sharply with their all-white feathers. They are larger and heavier than females.

Both male and female American Bresse chickens are used for meat. This breed is well-regarded for its high-quality meat; both genders contribute to this reputation.

The specific breeding and raising practices can influence the meat quality, and these methods are applied to both roosters and hens.

Hardiness

American Bresse is known to be robust, energetic, and disease-resistant. If properly cared for, these birds can tolerate various temperature conditions.

Even though they can adapt to different climates successfully, taking the necessary measures to ensure their comfort and well-being is imperative. 

So, during a heatwave, ensure a constant water supply and ample shade in their coop and outside the walk area. You can also consider installing fans in their enclosures. Ensure they don’t have a crowded area to hang out. 

These chickens aren’t very expressive and may not show their discomfort in an obvious manner. But you can identify signs of distress by paying close attention. 

If your chicken looks tired, lethargic, and less vocal than usual, you know it’s time to adjust a few things. Besides these basic practices, providing them with a nutrient-rich diet is crucial to sustaining their energy levels during extreme weather conditions and keeping them healthy.

Meat

Bresse chickens are known for their exceptional meat quality, intense flavor, tender flesh, and succulent nature. As a result of these exceptional qualities, French chefs seek their meat more than any other variety. 

The reason behind their epic taste is distinct breeding. This unique taste comes from its particular genes and upbringing, making it distinct from other chickens.

American Bresse has a similar taste to their French counterparts. However, locating authentic chickens in America can be challenging since only a few breeders in the US sell genuine Bresse descendants.

So, research in advance if you want to achieve succulent and plentiful meat from these birds. Make sure you know about their origin and genetic history. 

As a poultry keeper, your responsibilities extend beyond this point. If you are raising Bresse chickens for meat, it is crucial to meet their dietary needs. Hence, incorporate ample amounts of grains, corn, and skim milk into their feeding regimen.

Egg Production

American Bresse chickens are good egg producers. You will love these birds if you want to collect plenty of brown eggs. They lay eggs pretty much every day of the week, and they are medium-large in size. 

By the fourth or fifth month, they begin laying eggs. However, that may vary depending on diet, weather, daylight, etc. 

The average American Bresse can lay over 250 eggs yearly if well-fed and healthy. That’s a little less than real egg machines, like a Leghorn.

While the American Bresse chickens possess an impressive egg-laying power, it is worth noting that they are not particularly inclined towards broodiness.

Personality

American Bresse chickens are easy to handle, given that you are an experienced chicken keeper. You can keep them in a little garden, surrounded by other bird buddies, and the vibes won’t be too crazy. While they are not overly friendly, they remain friendly with their flock mates. 

American Bresse birds are naturally curious and enjoy quietly watching their owner while they work. This trait fosters their independence and self-sufficiency. They are also a little bit more flighty than other breeds. It works in their favor because it gives them awesome wandering abilities and lowers their chances of being taken by a predator.

In addition, they can withstand diverse weather conditions and exhibit resistance to diseases. 

Till now, everything seems pretty simple, right? However, it depends on what your eventual goals are. Are you raising these birds for meat, or do you simply desire a regular supply of eggs?

If you’re looking to keep American Bresse chickens for meat, be aware that meeting their nutritional requirements will require both effort and financial investment. Bresse chickens intended for meat production necessitate a diet rich in nutrients and proper care, which can be overwhelming for a hobbyist.

If you aim to get yummy eggs every week, there’s no need to go to extremes, as regular care will suffice.

Summary

American Bresse chickens have a striking appearance, robust build, curious nature, remarkable egg-laying capacity, and unmatched flavor. 

If you are an inexperienced poultry keeper, research before buying because real Bresse chickens are rare in the US.

They also require special dietary needs when raising them for meat instead of eggs.