Sue Coleman
Sue Coleman
France is renowned for its gourmet produce, and a variety of niche market products are positively encouraged by French agricultural authorities, keen to increase the export of French traditions. Not the least of these is the ‘pate de foie gras’, translated as fatty liver paste, but a delicacy nonetheless! Unfortunately for the geese the richness [...]
Continuing the series of rare and ancient livestock in France by Sue Coleman. The Sologne Black Thought to originate in the Bourges region of Central France, these birds were farmed by the monks who selected the best stock and improved the breed to the point where it spread in popularity and became known as the [...]
Continuing the series of rare and ancient livestock in France by Sue Coleman. Bourbonnais Black A lively and vigorous turkey which carries itself proudly. The rich black plumage has a metallic highlighting to the feather. To current standards, bronzing however is not encouraged except on the tail cover feathers. Its black tarsus becomes lighter, even [...]
Continuing the series of rare and ancient livestock in France by Sue Coleman. Normandy Black A smaller but stocky chap with a shorter black tarsus. The female is an excellent brooder, and it is renowned for its hardiness. Matt black in colour without the highlights of the Sologne Black. Having no recorded standard, this breed [...]
Continuing the series of rare and ancient livestock in France by Sue Coleman. Bresse Black Another regional variations which have not been awarded separate standards for the breed. Editor’s note – have you got a piccie of the Bresse Black turkey? If so, you might like to share it with the rest of us by [...]
Continuing the series of rare and ancient livestock in France by Sue Coleman. Grey Landes goose Moving northward we find a breed developed from the Toulouse at Landes. With the intention of getting a lighter production goose with the perfection of the ‘foie gras’ in mind. The gander weighs in at 7 kg and the [...]
Continuing the series of rare and ancient livestock in France by Sue Coleman. The Toulouse Goose Probably the best known breed to the European breeder. You will recognise him for the deep bluish grey feather and bright orange bill. A handsome breed originating in the south west of France, but in fact its present standard [...]
Making a living? If your plans involve young family, you will no doubt hope to make a decent income. It is of course, also possible for one partner to keep on a well paid city career and commute to and fro each week, and if a mortgage is involved it will be almost essential at [...]
Finding the Dream When a surviving family inheriting several hundred hectare decide to sell off the farm, a similar body to DEFRA, known here as SAFER (Societe Amenagement Financement, Environment Rural) have to be notified by the officiating Notaire. (a well respected citizen who is a kind of solicitor, and always handles the legalities [...]
Ducks and Drakes Traditional and Regional Breeds in France The Estaires On the banks of the Lys river which passes through Estaires just to the west of Lille in the north is a small white duck, thought to have Pekin ancestry. It is only 2 to 2.5 kilo, but is a good layer and matures [...]