Padovana

Synonyms or local names: Padovana dal gran ciuffo

Geographic origin: Veneto (Padua), but with northern-European origin

Geographic distribution: Veneto

Estimated total population size: 1180 (Castillo et al., 2021)

Extinction risk status (FAO, 1998): Not at risk

Any other specific information: Tufted breed, fancy breed

Historical origin of the breed

This breed is described and drawn by Ulisse Aldovrandi (1600) in his work “Ornithologiae”. Other essays from 1500s mention the presence, in Padua surroundings, of a popular and productive chicken breed. The origin of this breed is uncertain, it probably arrived to Italy from Poland in 1300, perhaps by the noble Giovanni Dondi Dell’Orologio, from Padoua, an eminent doctor and astronomer, who was fascinated by the beauty and elegance of those chickens, at the time considered as luxury birds. However, the origin is intertwined not only with the Polish chicken, but also with other European tufted breeds, such as the Dutch and the Houdan. Several publications on poultry production from the XIX and XX centuries described the Padovana breed, giving many details about its characteristics. Throughout the XX century the population size gradually decreased, as this breed was reared only by few amateur farmers.
Historically, these chickens were reared outdoors, on pasture, and fed maize. The Padovana breed persisted over time not only for the beauty of the birds, but also for the quality of the meat, including capon, which inspired many historical cooking recipes, of both popular and noble tradition. The breed is suitable for the valorisation of typical productions of the Veneto region.
It is included in the National Plan on Biodiversity in Agriculture, and in the Atlas of Traditional Agri-food Products of the Veneto region (Atlante dei Prodotti Agroalimentari Tradizionali del Veneto). It is a Slow Food presidium and its reference organisation is the Pro Avibus Nostris association.

Pictures from the archives of Prof. Gabriele Baldan and Prof. Massimo De Marchi.