Valdarno

Geographic origin: Tuscany, river Arno surroundings

Estimated total population size: 50 (Castillo et al., 2021)

Extinction risk status (FAO, 1998): Critical conserved

Any other specific information: Evidently rural chicken, elegant, lively

Historical origin of the breed

The name “Valdarno” derives from the original diffusion area of the breed, the valley extending north of river Arno, between Florence and Pisa. The breed was acknowledged by Italian Aviculture Society (Società Italiana d’Avicoltura), the official authority at that time, in 1905, and was still present in the territory at the end of the 1900s. It became extinct after the second world war. In 1998, the breed was selected again and officially presented at the Italian Poultry Competition.

Valdarno – male and female (UniFI)

Qualitative morphological traits

Feather morphology: Normal

Feather distribution: Normal

Plumage structure: Not too soft, well adherent to the body

Plumage colours: Black

Colour features: Single colour, without sexual dimorphism

Colour pattern: Uniform brilliant black, with strong beetle-green sheen, especially in the male; down slate to black

Comb type: Simple comb, quite developed, more than average size, bright red, upright in the male, gracefully falling to one side after the second spike in the female.

Comb spikes: Five to six spikes, well formed, broad at the base, quite deeply serrated, forming a regular curve, blade following the line of the head without touching the neck.

Ear-lobe colour: Porcelaine white

Beak colour: Black

Iris colour: Orange-red to dark red

Skin colour: White

Shank colour: Dark slate

Shank feathering: Free from feathers

Other specific and distinct visible traits: Face intense red, smooth and free from feathers; wattles bright red, quite long, not split, without folds or wrinkles