Fayoumi

These pretty birds hold their tails upright, nearly vertical. That paired with their long necks gives them a unique appearance. This ancient breed has its origin in the Nile Valley. They are relatively new to the US, and still quite rare here. They are also one of the most early maturing of chicken breeds: hens can begin laying eggs as early as 4-1/2 or 5 months! This breed is known to be naturally resistant to Marek's Disease and to many other illnesses. However, they are normally fairly nervous in temperament, and can be feather pickers if they don't have enough room. They can be territorial about their favorite nesting spots, and roosters are noisy. They are also fliers, so are not always the best choice for a backyard flock since they can and will clear most fences. With plenty of room, however, they can be a good choice for a small farm, since they are good foragers, economical eaters, independent, tough, aware of their surroundings and good at avoiding predators.