Do you know the Coucou de Rennes hen?

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The culture department of the municipality of Nouvoitou (Ille-et-Vilaine), in collaboration with Franck Pelhate, presents the exhibition Hello Nouvoitou! dedicated to the hen Hello from Rennes.

It will be visible from November 8 to December 13, 2024, at the media library Meadow in Bubbles.

The story of the Cuckoo hen

The municipality presents this exposition :

“This exhibition invites you to discover the fascinating story of the Coucou de Rennes hen, a gallinaceous bird whose origins lie in Nouvoitou. It is here, and more precisely at the Manoir du Grand Corcé, that a certain Edmond Ramé devoted his life to the Coucou hen. He perfected the breed to make it a recognized standard in poultry competitions at the beginning of the 20th century. Thanks to his passion and dedication, the Cuckoo hen has become an icon, whose popularity extends well beyond our local borders. »

This exhibition takes place with the support of the Ecomuseum of the Bintinais.

Coming from India

According to Jean-Paul Cillard, zootechnician at the Ecomusée du pays de Rennes and secretary of the CNEVRB (National Club of Breton Breton Poultry Breeders) in a previous article in the Vitré newspaper, it is trade linked to the road from India who brought the ancestors of the Cuckoo hen to Brittany:

» The boats' larders were then filled with food and live animals. The duration of the trips could vary from two to three weeks depending on the trade winds. Once arrived in Lorient or Saint-Malo, the remaining animals were shared by the crew or sold. “

So this is how the asian hen would have appeared in the Rennes farms. It mixes with native chickens, the fruit of these crosses giving a new breed.

Practical: exhibition visible during the usual opening hours of the Pré en Bulles media library in Nouvoitou. [email protected] or 06 27 15 79 10

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