The Egyptian Fayoumis are small, active, and lovely chickens that have been raised along the Nile River in Egypt for centuries.
Even though they are quite common there, they are practically unknown in this country. We got our start of this very rare breed from one of the state universities whose poultry department was using them for special studies in genetics.
No other breed matures quite so quickly as these do — young pullets are apt to start laying their small tinted white eggs at 4 to 4-1/2 months, and the cockerels can start to crow at an unbelievable 5 to 6 weeks.
They are attractively marked with silvery white hackle and white bars on black background throughout the body plumage. Leg color can be either willow green or slate blue. Baby chicks are highly colored in brown, black, and white markings on the back and a brownish purple head color.