Back in early 2017 we were watching one of our favorite YouTube homesteaders called “Swedish Homestead” (now called Simeon & Alex). Originally it was a half wild Scottish Highland heifer named “Sally” running amuck on their farm that steered us to his channel (pun intended). However, it didn’t take long to realize that Simeon really had a great methodology on running his homestead utilizing many techniques from Joel Salatin (Polyface Farms). We began investigating all the video’s we missed and to this day eagerly await the next. (Be sure to scroll to the end of this page to learn about their new website!)
We first fell in love with the Bielefelder chickens walking around his Swedish homestead and bought some for our farm. What a docile, beautiful breed they were and the rooster was a gentle giant. All the while we couldn’t help from listening to the claims Simeon was making about the Bresse.
As time went on we found those monster eggs (one was three ounces) were not worth the feed it took to get them and they often took their time to lay one! Simeon was correct; Bielefelder’s are not good foragers and not the most functional, dual purpose breed! So we sold the Bielefelder flock and started over with day old American Bresse chicks that we split with a friend, which were direct Greenfire Farm stock. Greenfire Farm is known to be the first importers of the Bresse breed from France to the United States. After this we bought more day old chicks from that same friend from different Greenfire Farm line… and a couple three more hens after that along with two beautiful roosters from yet another line of Greenfire Farms!
However, the jury was still out whether or not Bresse hen’s lay their first egg earlier than other breeds. The average laying age for chickens starts at 18 weeks. Our first Bresse hens lay at 16 weeks old! Bingo!
As time went on we hatched our own Bresse eggs and what a personable experience that was. While we have hatched eggs in the past we never kept the chicks and what we found is how friendly they are which continues on into adulthood. However, more importantly our friendly, feathered friends laid their first egg at 15 weeks of age! We are sold on American Bresse chickens and have no other breeds on our farm and we haven’t even made it to table fare which is what they are truly known for.
It’s important to mention a sad note; the Fox. We take predators very seriously and have built fortified pens in which are flocks are locked in every evening; a practice that has yet to be penetrated (knock wood). However, in January 2021 part of our flock was free ranging in an adjoining, enclosed area and we experienced a rare daytime attack from a Fox. Most of this group was killed or injured to the point they had to be put down. It was painful to see and detrimental to our program. However, forward is our only direction and chickens grow fast!
Up Date
Simeon & Alex will be moving to the USA by spring 2024 if not sooner. Click this video announcing that if you’re interested.
To continue to the video’s that influenced Crazy Cluckers, scroll down the page .
Our introduction to the Bresse gauloise chicken:
All links go to “Simeon & Alex – formerly Swedish Homestead” channel.
The best chicken breed – outperforms all others
Nov 22, 2016
Which chicken breed should I choose. Is there a breed that can compete with modern hybrids? Australorp, New Hampshire, Rhode Island Red, … which one should I choose. You may be surprised.
The Weighty Truth – Which Chicken Breed Grows Fastest
Feb 9, 2017
40 days after hatching I am weighing my Bresse gauloise and Bielefelder Kennhuhn roosters to check on the growth rate.
This Chicken Breed Will Blow Your Mind
Feb 28, 2017
The ‘Bresse gauloise’ chickens are called many names. American Bresse in the USA for example. We call them Les Bleues. In this video I share about the incredible results I got from monitoring the egg production of this breed.
Is ‘Bresse gauloise’ (American Bresse) Really A Good Breed??
Mar 20, 2017
I received an email from a concerned viewer. He had found a disheartening post about the dual purpose breed Bresse gauloise also called American Bresse in the U.S.
Simeon & Alex New Website
Check out their new website The Sound Farmer to help you “live your dream”!
