Breed: Mountain Trifylia Chicken
Synonyms: Kalamata Black Chicken, Messinia Black Chicken
Species: Chicken
Colour: Most Common: Black
Weight: Cocks/Hens: 3.5-4kg/2-3kg
Country: Greece
Description: Slaughter weight is 2.9–3.5 kg and 1,5–2,5 kg respectively.
It has reproductive instinct. Incubates 1–3 times annually.
Resistant to diseases.
Dissemination: North Messinia prefecture in the Peloponnese and in particular identified with mountain villages of the Trifylia municipality. Recently becoming again more widespread in adjoining Messinia regions thanks to breeders’ efforts. Flocks were established also in other parts of Greece.
History: Testimonies by local Messinia inhabitants indicate this type was traditional, always existed in the area and probably had a wider but imprecise distribution in the past. Plenty of old photos of Trifylia villages confirm a chicken breeding tradition in the region and strongly suggest a continuation of old and contemporary populations. Modern stock descends from birds found in Trifylia mountain villages-their last stronghold.
Morphology: 100–110 birds appearing stable. In the 2009–2019 period it was much lower. Recently showed a slight increase thanks to efforts of local breeders. Selective breeding is gradually fixing its phenotype in terms of body type and colour. There are 9–10 pure breeding groups and many birds in mixed flocks.
Specials: Fairly strict selection on conformation and colour endow it with traits of a conventional breed.
Uses: Eggs and Meat
Performance: Egg productivity has not been recorded but estimated at 90–120 eggs annually.