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{{Short description|Italian breed of chicken}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{use list-defined references|date=June 2013}}
{{use list-defined references|date=June 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2013}}
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| standard =
| standard =
| use =
| use =
| nickname =
| apa =
| apa =
| aba =
| aba =
| ee =
| ee =
| pcgb =
| pcgb =
| maleweight = 2.5–2.8 kg
| maleweight = {{cvt|2.5|–|2.8|kg|abbr=on|round=0.5}}
| femaleweight = 2.0–2.3 kg
| femaleweight = {{cvt|2.0|–|2.3|kg|abbr=on|round=0.5}}
| skincolor = White
| skincolour = white
| eggcolor = White
| eggcolour = white
| comb = Single
| comb = single
| note = Dual-purpose breed
| note = dual-purpose breed
| type = [[Chicken]]
| type = [[Chicken]]
| latin = Gallus gallus domesticus
| latin = Gallus gallus domesticus
}}
}}


[[File:Pollo Valdarno 9.jpg|thumb|Hen at the Rural Festival of [[Gaiole in Chianti]], 2016]]
The '''Valdarno''' is a breed of black dual-purpose [[chicken]] from the lower part of the [[Valdarno]], the valley of the [[Arno]] river, in [[Tuscany]], central Italy. It became virtually extinct in the 20th century, but the population is recovering. It is a quite different breed from the [[Valdarnese]], which originates in the upper Valdarno, and is white.
The '''Valdarno''' is an Italian [[list of chicken breeds|breed]] of black dual-purpose [[chicken]]. It originates in, and is named for, the lower part of the [[Valdarno]], the valley of the [[Arno]] river, in [[Tuscany]] in central Italy. It became virtually extinct in the twentieth century, but the population is recovering. It is a quite different breed from the [[Valdarnese]], which originates in the upper Valdarno, and is white.


==History==
==History==


The Valdarno chicken takes its name from the Valdarno, the valley of the Arno river. It was in the past extensively raised in the lower part of the valley between [[Florence]] and the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] and in the plains surrounding [[Pisa]], in the areas of [[comuni]] such as [[Cerreto Guidi]], [[Pontedera]], [[Empoli]], [[Poggibonsi]] and [[San Miniato]].
The Valdarno chicken takes its name from the Valdarno, the valley of the Arno river. It was in the past extensively raised in the lower part of the valley between [[Florence]] and the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] and in the plains surrounding [[Pisa]], in the areas of [[comuni]] such as [[Cerreto Guidi]], [[Pontedera]], [[Empoli]], [[Poggibonsi]] and [[San Miniato]].{{r|zanon}}


The first description of the Valdarno breed is that by Pochini, who recommends it above all others as suitable for both small- and large-scale rearing, for its rapid growth and the maternal instinct of the hens, but notes that it requires space and does not adapt well to close confinement. He illustrates four colour varieties, black, white, buff and cuckoo, and notes that the black and the white are the most common.<ref name=pochini/> The first breed standard was presented by Maggi at a conference in [[Mantova]] in 1905; the author believed the breed to date from before 1848, and noted the predominance of the black variety, as evidenced by the local saying "''pollo nero, pollo vero''", or "black chicken, real chicken".<ref name=zanon/> The breed was described by both Pascal and Faelli in the same year.<ref name=faelli/><ref name=pascal/>
The earliest description of the Valdarno chicken is that given in 1900 by Luigi Pochini, who recommends it above all others as suitable for both small- and large-scale rearing, for its rapid growth and the maternal instinct of the hens, but who notes that it requires space and does not adapt well to close confinement. He illustrates four [[list of chicken colours|colour varieties]] – black, white, buff, and cuckoo – and notes that the black and the white are the most common. {{r|pochini|p=46}} The first breed standard was presented by Maggi at a conference in [[Mantua]] in 1905; the author believed the breed to date from before 1848 and noted the predominance of the black variety, as evidenced by the local saying "{{lang|it|pollo nero, pollo vero}}", or "black chicken, real chicken".{{r|zanon}} The breed was described by both Pascal and Faelli in the same year.{{r|faelli|p=74|pascal|p2=55}}


In the following years the Valdarno then became the subject of extended and heated discussion of its authenticity, and of whether it should be considered a variety of the [[Livorno chicken|Livornese]]. Although its authenticity was eventually recognised, its numbers declined owing to competition from the [[Leghorn (chicken)|White Leghorn]], and despite various attempts by breeders to preserve it, continued to decline through most of the 20th century until it had virtually disappeared. Recent reconstitution and recovery of the breed was based on a small number of autochthonous birds found in the [[Siena|Sienese]] countryside, with out-crossing to [[Bresse (chicken)|Bresse]] and [[Castellana negra]]. The first results were presented at [[Reggio Emilia]] in 1998, and well received. Although numbers remain low, the Valdarno is bred to the 1905 standard,<ref name=zanon/> and is included in the official standard of the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, the federation of Italian poultry associations, which is the authority governing poultry breeding in Italy.<ref name=fiav/>
In the following years the Valdarno became the subject of extended and heated discussion of its authenticity, and of whether it should be considered a variety of the [[Livorno (chicken)|Livornese]]. Although its authenticity was eventually recognised, its numbers declined owing to competition from the [[Leghorn (chicken)|White Leghorn]], and despite various attempts by breeders to preserve it, continued to decline through most of the twentieth century until it had virtually disappeared. Recent reconstitution and recovery of the breed was based on a small number of autochthonous birds found in the [[Siena|Sienese]] countryside, with out-crossing to [[Bresse Gauloise|Bresse]] and [[Castellana Negra]]. The first results were presented at [[Reggio Emilia]] in 1998, and were well received. The Valdarno is bred to the 1905 standard,{{r|zanon}} and is included in the official standard of the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, the federation of Italian poultry associations, the authority governing poultry breeding in Italy.{{r|fiav}}


Breed numbers remain low. A study published in 2007 used a figure of approximately 200 for the total breeding stock, of which approximately 50 were cocks.<ref name=spalona/>
Breed numbers remain low. A study published in 2007 used a figure of approximately 200 for the total breeding stock, of which approximately 50 were cocks.{{r|spalona}}


==Characteristics==
== Characteristics ==


The Valdarno is black, with dark green lights. The legs are a dark slate colour, and the beak is black. The skin is white. The comb is medium-large, with 5–6 points. The wattles are medium-long and red, the ear-lobes oval and porcelain white. Average weight is {{Convert|2.5|–|2.8|kg|abbr=on}} for cocks, {{convert|2.0|–|2.3|kg|abbr=on}} for hens. The eggs are white and weigh at least 55&nbsp;g. Ring size is 18&nbsp;mm for cocks, 16&nbsp;mm for hens.<ref name=agraria/><ref name=gallo/>
The Valdarno is black, with dark green lights. The legs are a dark slate colour, and the beak is black. The skin is white. The comb is medium-large, with 5–6 points. The wattles are medium-long and red, the ear-lobes oval and porcelain white. Average weight is {{val|2.5|–|2.8|u=kg}} for cocks, {{val|2.0|–|2.3|u=kg}} for hens. The eggs are white and weigh at least 55 g. Ring size is 18 mm for cocks, 16 mm for hens.{{r|agraria|gallo}}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=


<ref name=agraria>[http://www.agraria.org/polli/valdarno.htm Atlante delle razze di Polli - Razze italiane: Valdarno] (in Italian) Accessed January 2012. "Atlas of chicken breeds - Italian breeds: Valdarno".</ref>
<ref name=agraria>[http://www.agraria.org/polli/valdarno.htm Atlante delle razze di Polli – Razze italiane: Valdarno] (in Italian). Agraria.org. Accessed January 2012.</ref>


<ref name=faelli>Faelli, Ferruccio (1905) [http://books.google.com/books?id=MaJJAAAAIAAJ ''Animali da cortile: polli, faraone, tacchini, fagiani, anitre, oche, cigni, colombi, tortore, conigli, cavie, furetto''] (in Italian) Milano: Ulrico Hoepli. p.74. Accessed January 2012. "Courtyard animals ...".</ref>
<ref name=faelli>Ferruccio Faelli (1905). [https://books.google.com/books?id=MaJJAAAAIAAJ ''Animali da cortile: polli, faraone, tacchini, fagiani, anitre, oche, cigni, colombi, tortore, conigli, cavie, furetto''] (in Italian). Milano: Ulrico Hoepli. Accessed January 2012.</ref>


<ref name=fiav>FIAV (1996) ''Standard Italiano delle razze avicole''. (in Italian) Casatenovo, Lecco: Tipografia Artigiana. "Italian standard of avian breeds".</ref>
<ref name=fiav>FIAV (1996). ''Standard Italiano delle razze avicole'' (in Italian). Casatenovo, Lecco: Tipografia Artigiana.</ref>


<ref name=gallo>[http://www.agraria.org/gallonero/razze/standardvaldarno.htm Il "Gallo Nero" del Chianti torna a cantare: Standard Ufficiale Italiano "Razza Valdarno"] (in Italian) Consorzio del Marchio Storico "Chianti Classico". Accessed January 2012. "The black cock of the Chianti sings again: official Italian standard of the Valdarno breed".</ref>
<ref name=gallo>[http://www.agraria.org/gallonero/razze/standardvaldarno.htm Il "Gallo Nero" del Chianti torna a cantare: Standard Ufficiale Italiano "Razza Valdarno"] (in Italian). Consorzio del Marchio Storico "Chianti Classico". Accessed January 2012.</ref>


<ref name=pascal>Pascal, Teodoro (1905) ''Le razze della gallina domestica: Monografia esauriente delle principali razze preceduta da brevi cenni di generalità e contenente 76 illustrazioni nel testo''. (in Italian) Roma; Torino: Roux e Viarengo. [http://www.summagallicana.it/Pascal_Teodoro/Le_razze_della_gallina_Pascal_1905.pdf Transcription] by Fernando Civardi 2010, accessed January 2012. "The breeds of domestic chicken ...".</ref>
<ref name=pascal>Teodoro Pascal (1905). ''Le razze della gallina domestica: Monografia esauriente delle principali razze preceduta da brevi cenni di generalità e contenente 76 illustrazioni nel testo'' (in Italian). Roma; Torino: Roux e Viarengo. [http://www.summagallicana.it/Pascal_Teodoro/Le_razze_della_gallina_Pascal_1905.pdf Transcription] by Fernando Civardi, 2010, accessed January 2012.</ref>


<ref name=pochini>Pochini, Luigi (1905) ''Avicoltura pratica'' 2nd ed. (in Italian) Firenze: Giovanni Fratini. pp.46–49 [1st ed.: 1900] "Practical bird-keeping".</ref>
<ref name=pochini>Luigi Pochini (1905 [1900]). ''Avicoltura pratica'', second edition (in Italian). Firenze: Giovanni Fratini.</ref>


<ref name=spalona>Spalona, A.; H. Ranvig, K. Cywa-Benko, A. Zanon, A. Sabbioni, I. Szalay, J. Benková, J. Baumgartner and T. Szwaczkowski (2007) [http://www.ulmer.de/Artikel.dll/m06-11mk_MjU0NTc0.PDF Population size in conservation of local chicken breeds in chosen European countries – Populationsgrößen in Erhaltungszuchtprogrammen für einheimische Hühnerrassen in ausgewählten Ländern Europas] ''Archiv für Geflügelkunde'' 71 (2). pp.49–55. Stuttgart: Eugen Ulmer. ISSN 0003-9098</ref>
<ref name=spalona>A. Spalona, H. Ranvig, K. Cywa-Benko, A. Zanon, A. Sabbioni, I. Szalay, J. Benková, J. Baumgartner and T. Szwaczkowski (2007) [http://www.ulmer.de/Artikel.dll/m06-11mk_MjU0NTc0.PDF Population size in conservation of local chicken breeds in chosen European countries – Populationsgrößen in Erhaltungszuchtprogrammen für einheimische Hühnerrassen in ausgewählten Ländern Europas]. ''Archiv für Geflügelkunde''. '''71''' (2): 49–55. Stuttgart: Eugen Ulmer. {{ISSN|0003-9098}}</ref>


<ref name=zanon>Zanon, Alessio [http://www.ilpollaiodelre.com/polliIt4.htm Valdarno] (in Italian) Il Pollaio del Re. Accessed January 2012. "The Valdarno"</ref>
<ref name=zanon>Alessio Zanon (2003). [https://web.archive.org/web/20120401215105/http://www.ilpollaiodelre.com/polliIt4.htm Valdarno] (in Italian). Il Pollaio del Re. Archived 1 April 2012.</ref>


}}
}}
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[[Category:Chicken breeds]]
[[Category:Chicken breeds]]
[[Category:Chicken breeds originating in Italy]]
[[Category:Chicken breeds originating in Italy]]
[[Category:Ark of Taste foods]]

Latest revision as of 10:33, 6 April 2023

Valdarno
A Valdarno cock
Conservation statusRecovering
Country of originItaly
DistributionLower Valdarno, Tuscany
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    2.5–2.8 kg (5.5–6 lb)
  • Female:
    2.0–2.3 kg (4.5–5 lb)
Skin colourwhite
Egg colourwhite
Comb typesingle
Classification
Notes
dual-purpose breed
Hen at the Rural Festival of Gaiole in Chianti, 2016

The Valdarno is an Italian breed of black dual-purpose chicken. It originates in, and is named for, the lower part of the Valdarno, the valley of the Arno river, in Tuscany in central Italy. It became virtually extinct in the twentieth century, but the population is recovering. It is a quite different breed from the Valdarnese, which originates in the upper Valdarno, and is white.

History

[edit]

The Valdarno chicken takes its name from the Valdarno, the valley of the Arno river. It was in the past extensively raised in the lower part of the valley between Florence and the Tyrrhenian Sea and in the plains surrounding Pisa, in the areas of comuni such as Cerreto Guidi, Pontedera, Empoli, Poggibonsi and San Miniato.[1]

The earliest description of the Valdarno chicken is that given in 1900 by Luigi Pochini, who recommends it above all others as suitable for both small- and large-scale rearing, for its rapid growth and the maternal instinct of the hens, but who notes that it requires space and does not adapt well to close confinement. He illustrates four colour varieties – black, white, buff, and cuckoo – and notes that the black and the white are the most common. [2]: 46  The first breed standard was presented by Maggi at a conference in Mantua in 1905; the author believed the breed to date from before 1848 and noted the predominance of the black variety, as evidenced by the local saying "pollo nero, pollo vero", or "black chicken, real chicken".[1] The breed was described by both Pascal and Faelli in the same year.[3]: 74 [4]: 55 

In the following years the Valdarno became the subject of extended and heated discussion of its authenticity, and of whether it should be considered a variety of the Livornese. Although its authenticity was eventually recognised, its numbers declined owing to competition from the White Leghorn, and despite various attempts by breeders to preserve it, continued to decline through most of the twentieth century until it had virtually disappeared. Recent reconstitution and recovery of the breed was based on a small number of autochthonous birds found in the Sienese countryside, with out-crossing to Bresse and Castellana Negra. The first results were presented at Reggio Emilia in 1998, and were well received. The Valdarno is bred to the 1905 standard,[1] and is included in the official standard of the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, the federation of Italian poultry associations, the authority governing poultry breeding in Italy.[5]

Breed numbers remain low. A study published in 2007 used a figure of approximately 200 for the total breeding stock, of which approximately 50 were cocks.[6]

Characteristics

[edit]

The Valdarno is black, with dark green lights. The legs are a dark slate colour, and the beak is black. The skin is white. The comb is medium-large, with 5–6 points. The wattles are medium-long and red, the ear-lobes oval and porcelain white. Average weight is 2.5–2.8 kg for cocks, 2.0–2.3 kg for hens. The eggs are white and weigh at least 55 g. Ring size is 18 mm for cocks, 16 mm for hens.[7][8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Alessio Zanon (2003). Valdarno (in Italian). Il Pollaio del Re. Archived 1 April 2012.
  2. ^ Luigi Pochini (1905 [1900]). Avicoltura pratica, second edition (in Italian). Firenze: Giovanni Fratini.
  3. ^ Ferruccio Faelli (1905). Animali da cortile: polli, faraone, tacchini, fagiani, anitre, oche, cigni, colombi, tortore, conigli, cavie, furetto (in Italian). Milano: Ulrico Hoepli. Accessed January 2012.
  4. ^ Teodoro Pascal (1905). Le razze della gallina domestica: Monografia esauriente delle principali razze preceduta da brevi cenni di generalità e contenente 76 illustrazioni nel testo (in Italian). Roma; Torino: Roux e Viarengo. Transcription by Fernando Civardi, 2010, accessed January 2012.
  5. ^ FIAV (1996). Standard Italiano delle razze avicole (in Italian). Casatenovo, Lecco: Tipografia Artigiana.
  6. ^ A. Spalona, H. Ranvig, K. Cywa-Benko, A. Zanon, A. Sabbioni, I. Szalay, J. Benková, J. Baumgartner and T. Szwaczkowski (2007) Population size in conservation of local chicken breeds in chosen European countries – Populationsgrößen in Erhaltungszuchtprogrammen für einheimische Hühnerrassen in ausgewählten Ländern Europas. Archiv für Geflügelkunde. 71 (2): 49–55. Stuttgart: Eugen Ulmer. ISSN 0003-9098
  7. ^ Atlante delle razze di Polli – Razze italiane: Valdarno (in Italian). Agraria.org. Accessed January 2012.
  8. ^ Il "Gallo Nero" del Chianti torna a cantare: Standard Ufficiale Italiano "Razza Valdarno" (in Italian). Consorzio del Marchio Storico "Chianti Classico". Accessed January 2012.
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