The Mugellese, also known as Mugginese, is a rustic dual-purpose breed of small

chicken The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the Ceylon junglefowl that are originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adult m ...

or bantam from

Tuscany Tuscany ( ; it, Toscana ) is a Regions of Italy, region in central Italy with an area of about and a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence (''Firenze''). Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, art ...

, in central Italy. It takes its name from the historic

Mugello The Mugello is a historic region and valley in northern Tuscany, in Italy, corresponding to the course of the River Sieve. It is located to the north of the city of Florence and includes the northernmost portion of the Metropolitan City of Fl ...

region to the north-east of

Florence Florence ( ; it, Firenze ) is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 383,083 inhabitants in 2016, and over 1,520,000 in its metropolitan area.Bilancio demografico an ...

. It is not officially recognised as a breed in Italy, but is being considered for recognition.

History

The Mugellese is named after the

, a historic and rural region which extends to the north-east of Florence and which traditionally corresponds with the

comuni The (; plural: ) is a local administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions ('' regioni'') and provinces (''province''). The can also ...

Barberino di Mugello 240px, Villa di Cafaggiolo. Barberino di Mugello is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about north of Florence. Barberino di Mugello borders the following municipalities: Ca ...

Borgo San Lorenzo Borgo San Lorenzo is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about northeast of Florence. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 18,085 and an area of .All demographics and o ...

Dicomano Dicomano is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about northeast of Florence. Dicomano borders the following municipalities: Londa, Rufina, San Godenzo, Vicchio Vicchio is a tow ...

San Piero a Sieve San Piero a Sieve is a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' (municipality) of Scarperia e San Piero, located in the Metropolitan City of Florence, in Tuscany, Italy, about north of Florence. It was an independent comune until 1 January 2014. Main sigh ...

Scarperia Scarperia is a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' (municipality) of Scarperia e San Piero, located in the Metropolitan City of Florence, in Tuscany, Italy, about north of Florence. It was an independent comune until 1 January 2014. Main sights * Ch ...

Vaglia Vaglia is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about north of Florence Florence ( ; it, Firenze ) is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany Regions of ...

and

Vicchio Vicchio is a town and ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about northeast of Florence. As of 2016, it had a population of 8,105 and an area of . Geography Vicchio borders the munic ...

. It is one of the few bantam breeds in Italy, others being the Mericanel della Brianza and the

Pépoi The Pépoi or Pepoi is a rustic dual-purpose breed of small 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 recogni ...

. The Mugellese is a traditional chicken breed of Tuscany, of uncertain origins. It was once extensively kept not only in the Tuscan countryside, but also in the gardens or on the balconies of town houses, perhaps as a pet. It was traditional for grandparents to give a pair of Mugellesi to a child who had reached an age to care for them. Once very common, it became rare in the second half of the twentieth century; it is now in a phase of recovery, selection and improvement. In early 2012, the Mugellese was not officially recognised by the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, but was under consideration. A draft standard had been prepared, but not yet approved.

Characteristics

The colouring of the Mugellese is dark golden (partridge); hens may also be wheaten buff. The skin is white and legs are pale or flesh-coloured. The comb is single, with 4–6 points. The ear-lobes range from red to white, which last is preferred. Average weight is for cocks, for hens. The eggs are small and ivory-white. The Mugellese is an active and lively breed. Although small, cocks are highly aggressive towards other cocks. Hens are good sitters, and may sit almost year-round. In the past, capons were often used to care for hatchlings. Birds are robust and resistant to heat and cold, and can be kept in the open all year. If allowed to, they roost in trees.

References

{{Chicken breeds of Italy Chicken breeds Chicken breeds originating in Italy