Penedesenca

The Penedesenca is one of the newest in McMurray Hatchery's line-up of rare and Heritage chicken breeds.

The Crele Penedesenca is a rare Spanish chicken breed, developed in the Catalonian province. Like other Spanish and Mediterranean breeds, they are active and alert birds that are well-suited for a foraging environment, and they are well-suited for warmer climates. Interestingly the Penedesencas have white ear lobes, but they are known for their matte, dark eggs — sometimes referred to as terracotta or plum-hued, occasionally with speckles.

The Crele Penedesenca is an auto-sexing variety with an coloring and appearance similar to a Bielefelder, but with a smaller body (averaging 4.5 lbs. for mature females, and 5.5 lbs. for mature males) and a unique carnation comb. Penedesencas' beak, shanks, and toes are almost white, and they display the traditional crele plumage. As an auto-sexing breed, male and female baby chicks can be easily identified at hatch, and this trait will pass down to future generations.

While not recognized by the American Poultry Association as a standard breed in the U.S., the Penedesenca meets all other criteria for a Heritage breed: it is naturally mating — not a hybrid or a cross, they breed true from like parent stock and are repeatable for multiple generations, and they are not bred for rapid growth and live a normal life span.