European Chickens Trivia Quiz

Answer: Italy

The Leghorn is one of the world's most famous and productive chicken breeds. It originates from the Italian region of Tuscany. Its name comes from the English pronunciation of "Livorno", the coastal city from which the breed was exported in the early 19th century. Although the breed gained global popularity after being further refined in the United States and Britain, its Italian origins are still widely recognised.

The breed is particularly renowned for its exceptional egg-laying ability, often producing over 250 white eggs per year. While the white variety is the most common, Leghorns also come in brown, black, and buff colours. Active, hardy and independent, they thrive in free-range conditions, though they can be flighty and are not well suited to backyard coops. Leghorns are often associated with the stereotypical image of a farmyard hen and they even inspired the name of the cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn.

Answer: Spain

The Euskal Oiloa is a traditional chicken breed from the Basque Country in northern Spain. Its name means "Basque chicken" in the Basque language and refers collectively to several standardised colour varieties that were unified under a single breed designation in the 1970s. The most common and recognisable variety is the red-barred (Marraduna).

The Euskal Oiloa was developed as a dual-purpose breed, valued both for its meat quality and its reliable egg production. Hens lay a steady supply of medium to large brown eggs, and the birds are known for their robust health, active foraging behaviour and calm temperament. As a regional heritage breed, the Euskal Oiloa plays an important role in conserving native livestock and promoting traditional farming practices in the Basque region.

Answer: Belgium

The Barbu d'Anvers bantam is an elegant, small chicken breed that originated in the Antwerp area of Belgium. As a true bantam, it has no larger counterpart and is known for its compact size, upright carriage and prominent feathered beard - the "barbu" in its name means "bearded" in French. This breed has been documented since at least the 17th century, making it one of Europe's oldest bantams.

It is available in more than twenty recognised colour varieties and is particularly popular among poultry fanciers for its decorative value. Although it produces only a modest number of small white eggs, it is often chosen for exhibition and ornamental breeding. Its manageable size and docile temperament also make it well suited to small-scale or hobby poultry keeping.

Answer: France

The Bresse chicken is a highly prized French breed from the historic province of Bresse in eastern France. It was first mentioned in local records as early as the 16th century and has long been associated with the region's gourmet tradition. The breed is best known for its distinctive appearance with white feathers, a bright red comb and steel-blue legs - said to echo the colors of the French flag.

Bresse chickens are raised under strict regulations within a defined geographical area, and their fine-grained, flavourful meat is often regarded as some of the best poultry in the world. The breed's international reputation is closely tied to French culinary culture, where it has earned protected designation status, similar to that of fine wines and cheeses. Although they are not especially prolific layers, they produce a respectable number of white eggs.

Answer: Switzerland

The Appenzeller Spitzhaube is a traditional Swiss chicken breed that comes from the Appenzell region in north-eastern Switzerland. It is distinguished by its forward-pointing crest and V-shaped comb, as well as its active, upright posture. The name of the breed combines "Spitzhaube", which refers to the pointed lace bonnet traditionally worn by women in the region, with the place of origin.

While there are historical references to crested chickens in Switzerland dating back several centuries, the modern breed standard was only established in the 20th century as part of national conservation efforts. The Appenzeller Spitzhaube is a hardy, light-bodied breed that is known for its excellent foraging ability and its ability to adapt to mountainous terrain. It is primarily kept for egg production, laying a moderate number of white eggs, and is also valued for its distinctive appearance and its historical association with Swiss rural culture.

Answer: Netherlands

The Lakenvelder is a traditional chicken breed from the Netherlands, that may have historical links to neighbouring regions of Germany. Its name translates as "white spread over a field", referring to its distinctive plumage of a pure white body in sharp contrast to a black head, neck and tail. First documented in the 18th century, the breed was recognised for its elegant appearance.

Lakenvelders are light-bodied and active, and are well suited to free-range conditions. However, they are less docile than some heavier breeds. Hens lay a steady supply of small to medium-sized white eggs, and today the breed is valued more for its ornamental qualities than its productivity. Conservation efforts have been necessary to maintain the breed, which has declined in popularity alongside the rise of commercial hybrids.

Answer: Austria

The Sulmtaler is a traditional dual-purpose chicken breed from the Sulm Valley in the Austrian region of Styria. Developed in the 19th century from local landraces, including the Styrian chicken, the breed was further refined through selective breeding to improve meat quality and egg production. Sulmtalers are best known for their full-bodied appearance, broad breast, and dense, typically wheaten or gold wheaten plumage.

Sulmtalers are calm, robust birds that are well-adapted to outdoor rearing and colder climates. Hens lay a moderate number of large, cream-coloured eggs and are also valued for their maternal abilities. The breed declined during the 20th century, but has since been revived through conservation breeding programmes and is now recognised as part of Austria's agricultural heritage.

Answer: Serbia

The Sombor Kaporka is a crested chicken breed native to the area around Sombor in the Vojvodina province of northern Serbia. Known for its distinct feather crest, the breed has a relatively light body and an upright posture. It typically has white or light-coloured plumage and is recognised for both its ornamental appearance and its utility value. Hens of this breed lay white eggs and are moderately productive, making the Sombor Kaporka suitable for small-scale or backyard poultry keeping.

The breed is considered dual-purpose, serving both egg and meat production. However, it is primarily valued in rural households for its adaptability and low maintenance requirements. It thrives in outdoor conditions and free-range environments, which suits traditional farming practices in the region. Despite its regional importance, the Sombor Kaporka is not recognised by international poultry registries and its breeding is mostly sustained through local interest and conservation efforts.

Answer: England

The Orpington is a British chicken breed that was developed in the late 19th century by William Cook in the town of Orpington, Kent. Designed for both meat and egg production, it was also intended to meet the poultry exhibition standards of the time. The original variety was black, created by crossing Minorcas, Langshans and Plymouth Rocks. Additional colour varieties, including buff, white and blue, were introduced shortly afterwards.

The breed is characterised by its large size, broad body, soft feathering and generally docile temperament. While utility strains have been selectively bred for improved egg-laying or meat yield, exhibition lines have retained their ornamental qualities. The Orpington is renowned for its ability to adapt to colder climates, making it a popular choice among commercial and hobbyist poultry keepers alike.

Answer: Sweden

The Gotlandshöna is a traditional Swedish chicken breed from the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. It is characterised by its mottled grey and brown plumage, which provides effective camouflage in its natural habitat. Traditionally kept by local farmers, the Gotlandshöna is hardy, adaptable and well suited to the island's variable climate and outdoor conditions. It is a dual-purpose breed, valued for its moderate egg production and the quality of its meat.

Following a significant population decline in the mid-20th century, conservation efforts helped preserve the breed, which is now recognised as part of Sweden's cultural and agricultural heritage. The Gotlandshöna remains popular among small-scale and heritage poultry keepers who prioritise traditional breeds.