Association for Promotion of Belgian Poultry Breeds

Origin : The Flemish cuckoo, before also referred to as ‘the breed of the Dender’, is a regional breed with great importance in Belgian poultry history because it is the ancestor of the famous Malines. The Flemish cuckoo doesn’t only originate from Flanders but also from the Picardy region in the North of France. The exact origin is unknown but the breed probably already exists for centuries.

Characteristics : The Flemish cuckoo is an active and familiar breed. It is an easy breed to keep and has no or little specific demands. The hens start laying rather early and produce a fine number of eggs with cream shells that weigh about 60 grams. The chicks grow up fast and produce very fine white meat. The hens brood themselves and are good mothers.

Appearance : Medium-sized rather powerful breed with horizontal carriage. Rectangular in shape with broad deep breast, rather short flat back en rather upright tail carriage. The comb is medium-sized, single and upright in the rooster. In the hen it tends to fall over to one side. The earlobes are red, the eyes orange and the shanks are pinkish white. The average weight of the rooster is between 3 and 3,5 kg and that of the hen between 2,5 and 3 kilos.

Varieties : Just one, cuckoo.

State : Very rare in the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium and absent in the South. More common in the North of France. Unknown in other countries.