Dindon Noir de Sologne
The Sologne black turkey is often presented as the best French breed of turkey for its flavourful meat, white and tender. Of considerable size (around 12 kilos for roosters, 7.5 for hens) and elegant yet not bulky, it is the result of cross breeding local strains with the American Bronze turkey, the largest, bulkiest poultry breed. It is hardy, with a robust body, a deep chest, a large back and strong thighs; it is rather short on its feet and covered with feathers except for its head and the upper part of its neck, and equipped with turgid, well developed wattles and barbels. Dark, dense black in colour, its metallic bronze plumage is silvery around the tail feathers. It is reputed to be resistant to diseases, humidity and bad weather. It can find its own food by pecking around in open fields that it can run around free in. It grows rapidly, but it takes 6 months before its meat can be eaten. The hens are very good brooders. This breed seems to be particularly adapted to dry, sandy soil that is rich in silica or calcium.
It was served up at the wedding of Charles IX in 1570. It is considered a luxury bird, served up on noble tables. The breed’s adaptation to the area around Sologne led progressively to its appearance in farmyards; it was consumed on holidays or advised to be fed to ill people.
It was largely exported to England up to the Second World War, when it was replaced by more productive birds, notably the Blanc de Beltsville.
There are only 20 breeding females left, and the complements never exceed two or three examples per farm.
Il aurait été servi pour le mariage de Charles IX en 1570. Considéré comme une volaille de luxe, il gagne les tables de la noblesse. L'adaptation de la race au territoire solognot lui fait ensuite progressivement gagner une place de choix dans les cours des fermes ; il était consommé en plat de fête ou conseillé pour soigner les malades.
En grande partie exporté vers l’Angleterre jusqu’à la seconde guerre mondiale, il a ensuite été remplacé par des volailles plus productives, notamment le Blanc de Beltsville.
Il resterait seulement 20 femelles reproductrices, et les effectifs ne dépasseraient pas deux ou trois sujets par élevage.
