Pepoi Chicken Breed – Origin, Traits & Facts

Pepoi

The Pépoi or Pepoi is a rustic Italian breed of small dual-purpose chicken from north-eastern Italy, particularly the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. It is not officially recognised as a breed in Italy, but is being considered for recognition.

Habitat

The Pepoi chicken is typically found in the rural areas of north-eastern Italy, particularly in the regions of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. These areas have a varied climate with distinct seasons, providing a diverse environment for the chickens to thrive. The breed is well-suited to free-range conditions and can adapt to various terrains.

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Characteristics

SizeApproximately 35-45 cm

Wing Spanunknown

Male Weight1.4 kg

Female Weight1.2 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 4/5

Useful to know

The Pepoi is valued for its adaptability to free-range conditions and its hardiness. It is considered a good forager, making it suitable for low-input farming systems. The breed's rustic nature means it requires minimal human intervention.

Behaviour

TemperamentCalm and hardy

FlightinessLow

Foraging AbilityExcellent

Confinement Tolerance

The Pepoi prefers free-range environments but can tolerate confinement if necessary. They do best when allowed to roam and forage, which helps maintain their health and vigor. Confinement should be done with adequate space to prevent stress.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Egg Characteristics

Egg Color

Egg Size

Laying Frequency

Egg Production / Year

Start Laying Age (weeks)

Siciliana

The Siciliana is an ancient Italian breed of chicken from the Mediterranean island of Sicily. It is notable for its unusual double or rose comb, for the early age at which birds reach maturity, and for the unusual shape of the eggs. The Sicilian Buttercup, bred in Australia, Great Britain and the North America, derives from it, but its long separation from the original stock has led to marked differences between the two.

Sicilian Buttercup

The Sicilian Buttercup is a breed of domestic chicken originating from the island of Sicily. The breed was imported to the United States in the nineteenth century, and to Britain and Australia early in the twentieth century. It derives from the indigenous Siciliana breed of Sicily, but long separation from the original stock has led to marked differences between the two.

Valdarno

The Valdarno is an Italian breed of black dual-purpose chicken. It originates in, and is named for, the lower part of the Valdarno, the valley of the Arno river, in Tuscany in central Italy. It became virtually extinct in the twentieth century, but the population is recovering. It is a quite different breed from the Valdarnese, which originates in the upper Valdarno, and is white.

Valdarnese

The Valdarnese, also referred to as Valdarnese Bianca, Valdarno Bianca or Pollo del Valdarno, is a breed of large white chicken from the upper Valdarno, the valley of the Arno river, in Tuscany, central Italy. It became virtually extinct in the 20th century, but the population is recovering. It is a different breed from the Valdarno chicken, which originates in the lower part of the Valdarno, and is black.