Branca (chicken)
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Through Extensive farming
It is one of four recognised Portuguese chicken breeds, the others being the Amarela, the Pedrês Portuguesa and the Preta Lusitânica; of the four, it is at the highest risk of extinction.
History
The Branca is a traditional rural breed of north-western Portugal. It is reared mostly in the historic Entre Douro e Minho region, where chickens are kept on small family-run farms as a complement to other agricultural activities, providing eggs and meat principally for domestic use.
Of the four Portuguese chicken breeds, the Branca is at the highest risk of extinction: in 2016 the population consisted of 261 breeding hens and 217 cocks, held on 94 farms. By 2024 the total population had risen to an estimated 7278–12820 birds, with a breeding stock of 3167 hens and 604 cocks distributed over 179 farms; its conservation status was listed as "not at risk".
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Characteristics
The Branca is found in only one colour variant, the pure white that gives it its name. It is a naked-necked chicken: the upper part of the neck is entirely without feathers and is bright red. The comb is single, with five or six points; the face, comb and earlobes are all bright red. The shanks are unfeathered and are pale yellow in colour; the beak is horn-coloured or pale yellow. Body weights are in the range 2.3–3.2 kg for cocks and 1.5–2.3 kg for hens; ring sizes are 16 mm and 14 mm respectively..
The birds are active and hardy and show good resistance to disease and to adverse environmental conditions; they sit well and show good maternal behaviour. They are well suited to the extensive or free-range management – either in the open or in a chicken-run – typical of small family-run farms.
Use
The Branca is a dual-purpose breed, raised for both meat and eggs.