Breed History (Compiled by Chris de Bruin and edited by Johan van Hengel)
The Cauchois is an Old French breed, originating in the Caux de Normandie, bred from Croppers, Mondain, Carneau and Field Pigeons. The Cauchois is larger than the average pigeon, but not as big as the Runt and not as heavy as the Gros Mondain. Cauchois are lively pigeons and weigh about 700 to 800 grams, and are fairly long in body with an upright posture. It has a full breast and body, with or without a white bib marking “bavette”, on the upper front part of the neck/breast (The bib of white feathers resembles a half moon with the edges being cut off).
I started with Cauchois in 1994, with a Blue-Bronze Chequered cock and a (Dilute) Blue-Sulphur hen. At times I was the only one who really bred and showed Cauchois, but today they are distributed across the country and there are several junior members who also have Cauchois. During 2007, I imported four solid coloured birds of which were two Yellow cocks, a Black hen and a Red hen. At this stage I have already bred several Dun, Yellow, and Red and some Black birds.
Breed Characteristics
Cauchois are available in a variety of chequer/laced and barred patterns, and the colours come in a Blue-Bronze Chequer (Bronze tri-colour), Blue-Rosa Chequer, Dilute Blue-Sulphur Chequer (Sulphur tri-colour) and Blue-White Chequer (earlier called Hyacinth), or Blue-Bronze Bar, Blue-White Bar, Dilute Blue-Sulphur Bar, Dilute Blue-White Bar. As of late, self colours in Red, Yellow, Black and Dun have also been bred, with the "bavette" being present as a set requirement. Ash Red colours in Red and Yellow check and also Mealy and Cream Bar have also been introduced into the breed.
The "bavette" should preferably be around 4 cm wide and is situated in the middle (between the wing butts) on the upper part of the neck and ; it should ideally end on either side in an upward “perk” and not wrap around to the hind-part of the neck. In chequers, the chequer design is difficult to describe as almost every feather is different. The point of the triangular marking on each feather should have a narrow "black" pencil line (The "black" applies to the blues and for dilute blues the line must be as dark as possible). It is desirable for the inner webbing of the primary feathers to have the colour of the chequering. The two bars should be distinct and run right across the wing shields. All colours must have a white lower back.
Cauchois Standard
I started with Cauchois in 1994, with a Blue-Bronze Chequered cock and a (Dilute) Blue-Sulphur hen. At times I was the only one who really bred and showed Cauchois, but today they are distributed across the country and there are several junior members who also have Cauchois. During 2007, I imported four solid coloured birds of which were two Yellow cocks, a Black hen and a Red hen. At this stage I have already bred several Dun, Yellow, and Red and some Black birds.
Breed Characteristics
Cauchois are available in a variety of chequer/laced and barred patterns, and the colours come in a Blue-Bronze Chequer (Bronze tri-colour), Blue-Rosa Chequer, Dilute Blue-Sulphur Chequer (Sulphur tri-colour) and Blue-White Chequer (earlier called Hyacinth), or Blue-Bronze Bar, Blue-White Bar, Dilute Blue-Sulphur Bar, Dilute Blue-White Bar. As of late, self colours in Red, Yellow, Black and Dun have also been bred, with the "bavette" being present as a set requirement. Ash Red colours in Red and Yellow check and also Mealy and Cream Bar have also been introduced into the breed.
The "bavette" should preferably be around 4 cm wide and is situated in the middle (between the wing butts) on the upper part of the neck and ; it should ideally end on either side in an upward “perk” and not wrap around to the hind-part of the neck. In chequers, the chequer design is difficult to describe as almost every feather is different. The point of the triangular marking on each feather should have a narrow "black" pencil line (The "black" applies to the blues and for dilute blues the line must be as dark as possible). It is desirable for the inner webbing of the primary feathers to have the colour of the chequering. The two bars should be distinct and run right across the wing shields. All colours must have a white lower back.
Cauchois Standard