In 1957, Bresse inhabitants voted a law on an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée label to protect the reputation of their poultry. It's the first poultry featuring an AOC-AOP label today. Slightly over a million poultry are sold in Bresse each year.
Bresse Poultry AOC-AOP
The Bresse chicken:
It is characterized by white feathers, blue feet, a red comb and thin skin. Bresse chickens are free-range chickens with at least 10 m² of grass available per animal.
After 3 weeks they must be fed exclusively with corn and dairy products. They are slaughtered after a minimum of 4 months after having spent 10-15 days in the dark in an épinette (special wooden cage).
After 3 weeks they must be fed exclusively with corn and dairy products. They are slaughtered after a minimum of 4 months after having spent 10-15 days in the dark in an épinette (special wooden cage).
The Bresse poularde:
These female chicks are raised in the same way as the male Bresse chicken, but they are slaughtered after a minimum of 5 months, before laying eggs, after having spent 30 days in the dark in an épinette (special wooden cage).
These female chicks are raised in the same way as the male Bresse chicken, but they are slaughtered after a minimum of 5 months, before laying eggs, after having spent 30 days in the dark in an épinette (special wooden cage).
The Bresse capon:
This caponized chicken is raised in the same way as the Bresse chicken and poularde. The poultry raiser provides it with a larger grassy area (20 m2 per capon) and it is slaughtered after a minimum of 8 months, after having spent 30 days in the dark in an épinette (special wooden cage).
The "Glorieuses":
The "Glorieuses" contests celebrate this exceptional poultry every year in mid-December. These traditional fine poultry contests (Bresse capons, poulardes, chicken and turkey) represent a prestigious showcase for a know-how unique in the world.
The "Glorieuses" contests celebrate this exceptional poultry every year in mid-December. These traditional fine poultry contests (Bresse capons, poulardes, chicken and turkey) represent a prestigious showcase for a know-how unique in the world.
The "Confrérie des Poulardiers":
The "Confrérie des Poulardiers" works to protect and promote the Bresse chicken since its creation in 1962. More than 3 000 Poulardiers from all over the world, defend the Bresse poultry and its values.
Comité Interprofessionnel de la Volaille de Bresse
The CIVB provides support to poultry farmers and is in charge of promotion for the sector.
Comité Interprofessionnel de la Volaille de Bresse
The CIVB provides support to poultry farmers and is in charge of promotion for the sector.
