BELGIAN MALINES
Whether you
call them Mechels, Coucou de Malines, Brussels chicken or plain old Malines, we
know for certain, they are destined to gain in popularity as fast as they grow.
We do not know how or why a flightless bird from Belgium would make its way across the Atlantic Ocean to eventually call Canada home? Wouldn't Hawaii be a much more suitable choice over a country that feels the full effect of all four seasons? I never said they were smart, only clever. The Malines are as docile as they are amusing, flopping around the back field with their turkey sized feet. They sort of remind me of my awkward youth as I grew into my size 13 shoes.
For over 150 years, Belgian craftsmen have carefully combined genetics for the proper intestinal fortitude to support the growth of 4 kilos in 10 weeks under optimal conditions. As you can see by the photo below of a 16 week old cockerel, they are quite large; my guess would be 6.5-7 kilos for the larger cockerels. I have yet to get the scale, and as a gentleman I refuse to ask an old hen her weight...
The Coucou de Malines growth is similar to a commercial broiler in the fact its growth is tremendous. But that is the only characteristic it shares. We have no terminal crosses or parent stock in our coops. We have no issues with heart attacks, broken legs, or naked birds due to growth beyond the chicken’s normal physical capabilities. They would be content in a caged environment or poultry barn, but we choose to let our flock roam freely through the timothy hay fields and behave as a chicken should. The only separation between them and freedom is a small wire fence barely tall enough to keep the wiliest coyote at bay. And it’s just as easily defeated with a flap of the wings. They choose to stay close to home and hold their ground contented with what is within their reach.
As we continue to raise the Bresse, Bielefelder, Malines and all our other dual purpose breeds, our goal remains true to our original intentions of preserving healthy pastured chickens while offering limited table birds to the discerning gastronome. We hope to continue to make enough to support our flocks through directly marketing the meat and eggs from the farm to the table.
If you would like further information please feel free to contact us directly. We can provide you further literature and answer any questions you may have.
We do not know how or why a flightless bird from Belgium would make its way across the Atlantic Ocean to eventually call Canada home? Wouldn't Hawaii be a much more suitable choice over a country that feels the full effect of all four seasons? I never said they were smart, only clever. The Malines are as docile as they are amusing, flopping around the back field with their turkey sized feet. They sort of remind me of my awkward youth as I grew into my size 13 shoes.
For over 150 years, Belgian craftsmen have carefully combined genetics for the proper intestinal fortitude to support the growth of 4 kilos in 10 weeks under optimal conditions. As you can see by the photo below of a 16 week old cockerel, they are quite large; my guess would be 6.5-7 kilos for the larger cockerels. I have yet to get the scale, and as a gentleman I refuse to ask an old hen her weight...
The Coucou de Malines growth is similar to a commercial broiler in the fact its growth is tremendous. But that is the only characteristic it shares. We have no terminal crosses or parent stock in our coops. We have no issues with heart attacks, broken legs, or naked birds due to growth beyond the chicken’s normal physical capabilities. They would be content in a caged environment or poultry barn, but we choose to let our flock roam freely through the timothy hay fields and behave as a chicken should. The only separation between them and freedom is a small wire fence barely tall enough to keep the wiliest coyote at bay. And it’s just as easily defeated with a flap of the wings. They choose to stay close to home and hold their ground contented with what is within their reach.
As we continue to raise the Bresse, Bielefelder, Malines and all our other dual purpose breeds, our goal remains true to our original intentions of preserving healthy pastured chickens while offering limited table birds to the discerning gastronome. We hope to continue to make enough to support our flocks through directly marketing the meat and eggs from the farm to the table.
If you would like further information please feel free to contact us directly. We can provide you further literature and answer any questions you may have.
For Malines chicks or chicken for sale, please visit our Price List page.
You can also check our Available Now for special offers.
You can also check our Available Now for special offers.
You may also want to check our "Malines" Farmer's Plate Special.