Are Faverolles good with children?

Outstandingly so — they're often called the friendliest, most cuddly chickens, and they actively enjoy human attention. That gentleness is exactly why they need protecting from pushier flockmates.

Do Faverolles get bullied?

Often, yes. Their sweet, submissive nature puts them at the bottom of mixed pecking orders. They do best kept with other calm breeds (Cochins, Orpingtons, Silkies) rather than assertive ones like Wyandottes or Rhode Island Reds.

Why do Faverolles have five toes?

It's a breed characteristic, along with their beard, muffs, and feathered legs. Most chickens have four toes; Faverolles (like Silkies and Dorkings) have five.

Salmon Faverolles: The Sweetest Bird in the Run

If your priority is a flock that’s a joy to be around, the Salmon Faverolles deserves a hard look. This fluffy French breed — bearded, muffed, feather-footed, and five-toed — is widely considered the sweetest-natured chicken you can keep. They follow people around, tolerate cuddling, and are wonderful with children.

The upside

Temperament: genuinely affectionate and calm; a top choice for family flocks.
Decent dual-purpose eggs: 150–200 medium cream-to-light-brown eggs a year, including reasonable winter laying.
Cold tolerance: the beard, muffs, and leg feathering keep them comfortable in cold weather.

The one big caveat

That same gentleness is a liability in the wrong flock. Faverolles are easily bullied and tend to sit at the bottom of the pecking order, so keep them with other docile breeds — Cochins, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Silkies — not assertive ones. Their feathered feet need dry footing (watch for scaly-leg mites in mud), and like other heavily feathered birds they prefer cool to hot. Give them gentle company and a dry run, and you’ll have the friendliest hens in the neighborhood.

Common questions

Are Faverolles good with children?: Outstandingly so — they're often called the friendliest, most cuddly chickens, and they actively enjoy human attention. That gentleness is exactly why they need protecting from pushier flockmates.
Do Faverolles get bullied?: Often, yes. Their sweet, submissive nature puts them at the bottom of mixed pecking orders. They do best kept with other calm breeds (Cochins, Orpingtons, Silkies) rather than assertive ones like Wyandottes or Rhode Island Reds.
Why do Faverolles have five toes?: It's a breed characteristic, along with their beard, muffs, and feathered legs. Most chickens have four toes; Faverolles (like Silkies and Dorkings) have five.