Houdan

American  

[hoo-dan] / ˈhu dæn /

noun

1. one of a French breed of chickens having a V -shaped comb, five toes, and mottled or black plumage.

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Houdan British  

/ ˈhuːdæn /

noun

1. a breed of light domestic fowl originally from France, with a distinctive full crest

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Etymology

Origin of Houdan

First recorded in 1870–75; after Houdan, village near Paris where these hens were bred

Example Sentences

The Houdan has the size, deep compact body, short legs, and fifth toe of the Dorking.

From Poultry A Practical Guide to the Choice, Breeding, Rearing, and Management of all Descriptions of Fowls, Turkeys, Guinea-fowls, Ducks, and Geese, for Profit and Exhibition. by Piper, Hugh

Houdan, hōō′dang, n. a valued breed of domestic fowls, orig. from Houdan in Seine-et-Oise.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Then I halted, and despatching the two grooms to Houdan with a letter for my wife, I took, myself, the road to Le Mesnil, which lies about three leagues to the west.

From From the Memoirs of a Minister of France by Weyman, Stanley John

In one corner lived a ragged-plumaged Houdan hen, on which the boy lavished an affection that had scarcely another outlet.

From The Chronicles of Clovis by Saki

The French breeds, Crêve-Cœur, Houdan, and La Flêche, gain in size and hardiness by being crossed with the Brahma cock.

From Poultry A Practical Guide to the Choice, Breeding, Rearing, and Management of all Descriptions of Fowls, Turkeys, Guinea-fowls, Ducks, and Geese, for Profit and Exhibition. by Piper, Hugh