France’s 46 of 47 local chicken breeds face extinction

Of France's 47 local chicken breeds, 46 are threatened with extinction, according to the Syndicat des sélectionneurs avicoles et aquacoles français (Sysaaf). The organization warns these birds represent living heritage from human-animal relationships. To counter the decline, Sysaaf launched "Adopte une plume," a donation campaign where 70 cents of every euro supports breeders and 30 cents funds conservation for all 75 threatened local poultry breeds. Donors receive symbolic gifts and information about specific breeds and breeders. The initiative began this spring with four breeds—Marans, Géline de Touraine, Meusienne, and Poule Lyonnaise—across seven breeders. It aims to expand to other endangered chickens and 28 additional poultry breeds, including geese, ducks, turkeys, and guineafowl.