France is famous not only for champagne wines, but also for a unique breed of chickens - the Bress of Gali. Let's learn about the history of the creation of this breed, its features, as well as the nuances of keeping and feeding to obtain the desired result - the delicate meat of the "royal bird".
The history of the breed
Bress of the Gali breed of chickens was brought out by local breeders in the 50s of the last century. in the east of France in the small province of Bresse. They managed to get a versatile meat and egg breed with excellent endurance and immunity, high-performance, with exquisite taste.
Did you know? In 1957, the Bress of the Gali breed was awarded the highest quality certificate AOC, confirming the quality and origin. This is the only breed of chickens in the world that has been awarded this mark.
Bress Gali chickens are grown in an area of about 4 thousand square meters. km, near the town of Bourg-en-Bresse. The bird is grown only in a certain area and with strict observance of a number of rules for growing and feeding. The breed has become a national treasure and a symbol of France, as well as fine French wines. 
There is a version, based on historical sources, that unique chickens were known as early as the 16th century. The chronicle mentions how in 1591 the inhabitants of the city of Bourg-en-Bresse defended their city from the attack of enemies, they were helped by the Burgundians. Grateful residents presented dozens of chickens to the Burgundians as thanks for their help.
One of the legends tells that the king of France, Henry IV himself, tried the most tender bress of gal-made chicken, and he liked it very much. Since then, the meat of this bird was considered the best delicacy.
Good indicators of meat and egg productivity are distinguished by Mara, Amrox, Velzumer, Lakenfelder, Bielefelder chickens.
Description and features
The French bird is characterized by special external characteristics. It is rather large, with developed muscles and a beautiful, dense plumage of white color. 
Exterior
Breed standard for breed:
- torso of medium size, elongated, trapezoidal shape;
- the back is wide, flat;
- chest convex, powerful;
- developed belly and hips;
- the neck is not long;
- wings strong, tight to the back;
- the tail is at an angle of 45 ° to the waist;
- legs well developed, of medium size, gray-blue;
- small head;
- beak powerful, blue tint;
- medium-sized ridge, erect, with triangular teeth;
- earrings red, medium size;
- eyes are large, dark;
- skin is thin, white;
- lush white plumage, thick layer of fluff.
Did you know? Bress Gali breed is a national treasure of France and repeats the colors of the national flag: blue, white and red.
Character
The character is calm and friendly. French birds are very sociable, do not tolerate enclosed space. They adapt well to new conditions, stress-resistant, hardy, quickly get used to people, are not afraid of them. Non-conflict, get along peacefully with other feathered neighbors. 
Weight indicators
Birds are rapidly gaining muscle mass. Within a month, chickens weigh more than 0.5 kg. They gain weight better than broilers. After 4 months the growth rate is suspended, the chickens are ready for slaughter, the carcass weighs on average 2.5 kg. By this time, the live weight of the rooster is 5 kg, chicken -3.5 kg.
Learn how to kill and pluck a chicken at home.
Puberty and egg production
Sexual maturity is achieved in six months. Chickens begin to nest and show good egg production - from 180 to 220 eggs per year. Eggs are quite large, weighing up to 85 g, are valued no less than carcasses.
Hatching instinct
French farmers use incubators to produce healthy offspring of the Bress of Gali chickens. In a well-known province, there are only three farms of breeders with incubators that provide chickens throughout France. 
The nestling instinct in French chickens is well developed; at home, hens can be used for natural brooding and getting strong chicks. But during the brooding of the hen, the laying of eggs is disturbed and the taste of the meat becomes worse. Therefore, large farms do not use natural incubation, but use an incubator, because it is so economically advantageous.
Learn more about choosing an incubator and see the characteristics of the best: “Layer”, “Ideal hen”, “Cinderella”, “Blitz”.
Feeding ration
Proper feeding is an important factor for obtaining the special taste of meat. Previously, the French farmers ration of birds kept a secret, but now he has become known.
Important! There must be a constant free access of birds to clean water.
Chickens
Chickens are growing rapidly and gaining weight. For their health requires a diet high in protein. Youngsters up to 2.5 months are fed with cereals with dairy products, boiled hearts, meat, fish. Be sure to add chopped vegetables: beets, carrots and fresh herbs. The diet contains all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the proper development of birds. 
Adult chickens
The basis of the diet consists of wheat and corn porridge. Groats are not brewed on water, but on the milk shake. Porridges enrich with mineral additives and vitamins, calcium. A small part of the feed is made up of trimming meat, vegetables, herbs. In the evening, the birds are fed whole grain, which is slowly digested, and the birds do not feel hunger until morning. Meals strictly three meals a day.
Read also about the preparation and norms of food, vitamins for laying hens.
A month before slaughter, the birds are fed on a special diet, strictly by the hour, 3 times a day. The diet consists of breadcrumbs soaked in milk, shredded shoots of green corn and fresh salad. Observance of all the rules allows you to get tasty delicious meat with an optimal ratio of fat and protein. 
During the molting period
During the molting period, birds need a lot of energy, protein and nutrients to restore their plumage. At this time, the laying of eggs ceases. Birds must be provided with heat and full fodder. The diet should include many vitamins, especially A and E, as well as fish oil, as a source of essential omega-3 and omega-6.
Conditions of detention
Proper housing conditions are as important as feeding. It is necessary to create conditions for walking the birds, to provide the necessary temperature in the winter period, proper lighting, etc.
Requirements for the room
The coop must be spacious, dry, warm, with good ventilation. It is necessary to constantly maintain cleanliness and carry out preventive work to combat parasites. The floor must be dry with clean bedding. The illumination of the chicken coop is about 12-14 hours a day.
For fattening use special wooden cages. Cage length - 1.3 m, width - 0.6 m. Up to ten chickens can be placed in such a cage. The distance between the vertical bars should be about 6 cm, so that the birds freely prodded their heads. 
Perches are made with round beams with a diameter of 5 cm, so that birds can hold on and not fall during sleep. Nests should be placed at a height of 0.5 m from the floor, in a cozy, secluded place, away from the entrance, not in a draft. The diameter of the nest should be about 30 cm, it should be dry and clean. You can use a bed of straw or wood chips.
Familiarize yourself with the nuances of choosing and buying a chicken coop, as well as self-production and improvement of the chicken coop (ventilation, heating).
Walking yard
The walking yard should be big enough per bird - at least 10 square meters. m. It must be protected, the height of the fence - not less than 1.5 m. The larger the area for walking, the easier it is to avoid many diseases. Birds graze and additionally feed on worms and snails. Every two years after growing chickens, pasture is left fallow.
Important! It is necessary to organize a place for bathing and hygienic procedures of chickens, for this purpose a tank with river sand or ash is suitable.
How to endure winter cold
Thick down and fluffy plumage help the birds endure the winter cold. They have excellent thermoregulation, but the coop should be warm and dry, sprinkled with sawdust or straw on the floor. 
Advantages and disadvantages
The french breed of chickens has many merits:
- high taste of meat;
- rapid growth and weight gain;
- friendly and relaxed nature;
- good health, endurance;
- developed maternal instinct;
- good egg production.
Main disadvantages are:
- limited number of purebred chickens;
- strict rules in feeding and care;
- high financial costs for the purchase and maintenance.
Video: hens breed Bress Galsky
Reviews of Bresse Balsa breed
So, we learned about a universal breed of chickens originally from France. She has a lot of advantages, but you can get the desired result only with strict adherence to the diet of feeding and living conditions, which requires considerable financial investments. Birds can be grown as an egg breed, but their meat is much more valuable, because it is a real gourmet delicacy. Therefore, all the work and costs will be necessarily compensated.
