La Flèche
Animal identity
One living story. Knowledge kept together.
La Flèche — identified breed photograph. · Thomon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · License terms
Recognize what makes this population itself.
Black plumage, a split V-shaped comb, white earlobes and dark slate legs characterize La Flèche. Tight feathers can conceal its substantial weight. Hens lay white eggs and are generally poor brooders, so breeding plans should not assume they will incubate their own clutches.
Appearance introduces the animal; a registry standard explains a documented breeding population. A photograph, color or familiar informal name alone cannot establish every individual’s membership.
- Recorded roles
- Eggs, Meat
- Egg Color
- White to Cream
- Egg Size
- Large to Extra-Large
- Temperament
- Active
- Breed Weight
- Male 8 lbs. / Female 6.5 lbs.
Reference values from the breed’s conservation profile. Weight describes a reference animal, not a universal feeding or fitness target. Temperament varies with breeding, individual experience and handling.
The La Flèche head is more than a V comb
The Rare Poultry Society describes an upstanding French table breed with a long, powerful body, prominent breast and strong clean legs. Its head carries two nearly upright comb spikes, large white earlobes and conspicuous nostrils. The British description does not call for a full crest, although a few upright feathers may be present. This combination distinguishes it from other French V-combed or crested populations.
Interpreting this population in practice
How its documented identity shapes learning and conservation.
La Flèche demonstrates that a distinctive comb can be both an identification feature and an easily misunderstood name story. Explain its French geographic name separately from the V-shaped comb. Poor brooding tendencies also affect flock renewal: a breeding plan cannot simply assume that laying hens will incubate and rear chicks. Its traditional table role belongs alongside its appearance.
Sources for general species learning
Sources behind the breed’s story.
The original history, identity and conservation teaching above draws on these cited accounts. Official links open the full material for further study.
Keep learning from official information.
These research portals help locate further material. A search link is a route for exploration; it is separate from the sources used for the article above. Domestic breed information, wild-species assessment, historical books and new research need their own context.
- FAO DAD-IS · Domestic breed information
- IUCN Red List · Species assessments
- Biodiversity Heritage Library · Historical literature search
- USDA National Agricultural Library · Research search
- Google Scholar · Scholarly literature search
- Open Library · Book catalogue search
- HathiTrust · Digitized catalogue search