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This incredibly unique Russian breed is especially cold-hardy. If you're interested in a breed with a really intriguing history, read on!
| Item | 1+ | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Black and Gold Pavlovskaya Day-Old Chick Unsexed | 59.00 | |
| Black and Gold Pavlovskaya Eggs | 12.00 | Sold Out |
The Pavlovskaya hen is Russia’s most ancient chicken breed. Its origins are lost in the murky depths of history, but by the time Russians began to take stock of their native chicken breeds in the late 1800s Pavlovskaya hens were already virtually extinct. Many centuries ago this breed emerged in the town of Pavlovo, a small enclave of peasants and craftsmen about 200 miles east of Moscow. The town was known for a number of unique agricultural specialties including the breeding of fighting geese, canaries, and the cultivation of lemons. Some poultry historians believe that the Pavlovskaya hens are the foundational breed that gave rise to more recently developed crested breeds like the Polish, Barthuhners, and Brabanters.
Pavlovskaya hens are known to be extremely cold hardy and have unique feathering on their feet that is similar to the feathering on wild grouse. A Russian myth describes the origin of this exotic breed as an illicit tryst between a chicken and grouse. Despite their hardiness the breed all but perished in the Soviet era. At one time in the early 1990s the total global population of authentic Pavlovskaya was reduced to two roosters, and one was infertile. By breeding the fertile rooster with somewhat similar hens, and then back-breeding to the father, the breed was reestablished.
Today very few of these remarkable birds remain in their native Russia, and they are virtually unknown outside that country. Nevertheless, in what was our most challenging import project, Greenfire Farms located a small breeding group and brought them to the United States. Pavlovskaya lay relatively few eggs. Typically we hatch fewer than a few hundred Pavlovskaya chicks each year. If you order these chicks please be prepared to wait several months to receive your chicks. But, given their outlandish good looks and pleasant personalities, we think you will find they are worth the wait.
The 2025 availability for Pavlovskaya chicks will be updated closer to spring time. We have worked hard during 2024 to grow the flock and are expecting to be able to fill more orders in 2025 than we ever have since working with the breed. We are excited and we hope you are too! Please check our availability again in February 2025.
Pavlovskaya hens are known to be extremely cold hardy and have unique feathering on their feet that is similar to the feathering on wild grouse. A Russian myth describes the origin of this exotic breed as an illicit tryst between a chicken and grouse. Despite their hardiness the breed all but perished in the Soviet era. At one time in the early 1990s the total global population of authentic Pavlovskaya was reduced to two roosters, and one was infertile. By breeding the fertile rooster with somewhat similar hens, and then back-breeding to the father, the breed was reestablished.
Today very few of these remarkable birds remain in their native Russia, and they are virtually unknown outside that country. Nevertheless, in what was our most challenging import project, Greenfire Farms located a small breeding group and brought them to the United States. Pavlovskaya lay relatively few eggs. Typically we hatch fewer than a few hundred Pavlovskaya chicks each year. If you order these chicks please be prepared to wait several months to receive your chicks. But, given their outlandish good looks and pleasant personalities, we think you will find they are worth the wait.
The 2025 availability for Pavlovskaya chicks will be updated closer to spring time. We have worked hard during 2024 to grow the flock and are expecting to be able to fill more orders in 2025 than we ever have since working with the breed. We are excited and we hope you are too! Please check our availability again in February 2025.
| Egg Color | tinted |
| Egg Size | Small to Medium |
| Average number of eggs per year | 70 - 90 |
| Gamefowl | No |
| Table Breeds | No |
| Country of Origin | Russia |
| Cold tolerant | Yes |
| Landrace | No |
| Great for beginners | Yes |
| Free-range ability | No |
| Broodiness | Not often to never |
| Ideal Rooster-to-hen Ratio | Average, 1:10 |
| Auto-sexing | No |
