Chantecler
Dual purposeCanadaBeginner friendly
The Chantecler was engineered for Canadian winters, with a tiny cushion comb and minimal wattles that leave frostbite almost nothing to grab. It keeps laying through the deep cold and carries itself with a quiet, unbothered confidence that suits its northern roots.
Eggs per year
180–220
Egg color
Brown
Egg size
Large
Hen weight
6.5–7.5 lbs
Temperament
Calm and gentle
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
Canada's first chicken breed was created by Brother Wilfrid Châtelain, a Trappist monk at the Oka abbey in Quebec, starting in 1908.
Chantecler egg production
Expect roughly 180–220 brown eggs a year from a Chantecler in her prime — about 3–4 a week, or 15–18 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Chantecler is generally described as calm and gentle. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Chantecler rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It can struggle in extreme heat, so prioritise deep shade, ventilation, and cool water through the hottest part of summer.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Chanteclerhen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Chantecler hen is a large bird at 6.5–7.5 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Chantecler right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- You're in an extreme-heat climate
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Chantecler FAQ
- How many eggs do Chantecler chickens lay?
- A healthy Chantecler hen lays about 180–220 brown eggs a year — roughly 3–4 a week, or 15–18 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Chanteclers lay?
- Chanteclers lay brown eggs, large in size.
- How big do Chantecler chickens get?
- A Chantecler hen weighs roughly 6.5–7.5 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Chanteclers cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Chantecler is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Chanteclers good for beginners?
- Yes. The Chantecler is a forgiving, calm and gentle breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Chantecler hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Chantecler hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
The Chantecler shows up in
More breeds to explore
Keeping Chanteclers?
Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal — track their eggs, weight, and life events, and see who's really your best layer.
