About Gauloise dorée Chickens

Gauloise Dorée (often translated as "Golden Gallic") chickens are one of the most historically significant and culturally emblematic chicken breeds of France.

The Gauloise Dorée is an ultra-rare and ancient breed, considered by many to be the ancestor of all French chicken breeds and the one closest in appearance to the wild Red Junglefowl, the ancestor of all domestic chickens. The rooster of this breed is the direct inspiration for the Gallic Rooster (Coq Gaulois), the national symbol of France, which represents the nation's fighting spirit.

This bird is of modest size with a fine bone structure and a proud, active carriage, which is typical of a great forager. Its appearance is distinguished by its namesake "dorée" (golden) plumage: the roosters have flamboyant, rich golden-red feathers on their neck and back, while the hens are typically a salmon-gold color. They have a single, upright comb, white earlobes, and clean, dark slate-grey to lead-grey legs. The body is round-shaped with a broad chest and a slightly raised tail. The ideal weight is small, with hens around 2 kg and roosters around 2.5 to 3 kg.

The Gauloise Dorée is a true dual-purpose breed. Hens are good layers, starting reproductive maturity early and producing an average of 150 to 200 medium-sized white eggs per year. The meat is considered of excellent taste, though somewhat sparse due to the breed's light, fine frame. The hens retain strong maternal qualities and are reliable brooders. Despite its historical importance, the Gauloise Dorée nearly vanished after World War II, being considered extinct between the 1950s and 1980s. Today, it remains extremely vulnerable, and dedicated breed clubs actively work to safeguard its limited genetic heritage.