Chantecler
The Chantecler is a Canadian breed of dual-purpose chicken, reared for both egg and meat production. It was bred in the early twentieth century at the Oka Agricultural Institute in Oka, Quebec. It is characterised by close-fitting feathering, a small or vestigial cushion-shaped comb and small or vestigial wattles, all of which make it more resistant than many other breeds to the extreme cold of the Canadian winter. It is an endangered breed, and its conservation status is listed in DAD-IS as "at risk/endangered". It is thought that there are some 1000 of the birds in the province of Québec, with small numbers elsewhere in Canada. It is the only chicken breed originating in Canada, and one of three livestock breeds originating in the Province of Quebec – the others being the Canadienne breed of cattle and the Canadian Horse.
| Life Span | 5-10 years |
| Weight | 2-5 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Chantecler
Finding a responsible Chantecler breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells chickens commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Chantecler. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Chanteclers appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Chantecler breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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