The Pépoi or Pepoi 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 adu ...
from north-eastern Italy, particularly the
Veneto
it, Veneto (man) it, Veneta (woman)
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and
Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. It is not officially recognised as a breed in Italy, but is being considered for recognition.
History
The Pépoi is a traditional farmhouse breed of north-eastern Italy, and of
Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the north-eastern part of the
Veneto
it, Veneto (man) it, Veneta (woman)
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in particular. It is one of the few dwarf breeds in Italy, others being the
Mericanel della Brianza and the
Mugellese
The Mugellese, also known as Mugginese, is a rustic dual-purpose breed of small chicken or bantam from Tuscany, in central Italy. It takes its name from the historic Mugello region to the north-east of Florence. It is not officially recognis ...
.
Together with the
Ermellinata di Rovigo, the
Robusta Lionata, the
Robusta Maculata and the
Padovana, the Pépoi is one of the five chicken breeds included in the CO.VA. project of Veneto Agricultura, the regional administration for agriculture of the Veneto. The project includes among its aims the conservation of local avian species of limited distribution, and the conservation of genetic resources and biodiversity, and has published a detailed description of the breed.
[
In early 2012, the Pépoi was not officially recognised by the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, but was under consideration.][ Critics have suggested that the characteristics of the Pépoi are too variable for it to be considered a breed.][
Breed numbers remain low. A study published in 2007 used a figure of approximately 550 for the total breeding stock, of which approximately 50 were cocks.][
]
Characteristics
The colouring of the Pépoi is golden (partridge). The skin and legs are yellow. Average weight is for cocks, for hens.
The eggs are pinkish brown and weigh 40–45 g.[
]
Uses
The Pépoi is a dual-purpose breed. Hens lay 160–180 eggs per year. In meat production, birds reach a weight of 600–700 g in four months, and are suitable as a single portion or for the spit. The meat is well-flavoured.[
]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pepoi
Chicken breeds
Chicken breeds originating in Italy