The Pita Pinta- Fowl Feature #7

The Pita Pinta (Asturian Hen)

Literally translated, the Painted Hen, the Pita Pinta is the only chicken indigenous to the autonomous Austurias region of Northern Spain. On the Bay of Biscay, this proud area of Spain is north of Portugal and west of France. Boasting both rugged coasts and lushly vegetated mountains, it is one of the most well conserved areas of the country…full of “wild spaces.” It should be no surprise that such an area, known for centuries for its agricultural prowess, should be the home of such a magnificent bird!

The Pedigree

Like their cousin the Basque hen, they are a hardy dual-purpose breed from a legendary and independent people. However, Pita Pintas are incredibly easy to handle. A mottled black and white bird, they are excellent layers of very large, cream-colored eggs . Traditionally, these excellent foragers were reputed for their delicious meat.

A medium weight chicken, the prowess of the Pita Pinta is pasturing. They were the prize of the farm, capable of living a completely natural life while delivering copious amounts of eggs. Once ready for the table, the dish of choice was the pitu de caleya, a stew of sorts with new potatoes. (We love the Spanish preparation of covering small potatoes in very briny water and letting them boil down to “wrinkly potatoes… mmmm.)

The Fall

In spite of their ethnocentric nature, even Asturians were not immune to the siren song of “improved” industrial breeds. Indeed, in the mid-to-late twentieth century, as agricultural labor was consolidating into professional groups like the Gijón Farmers Cooperative, dual-purpose breeds like the Pita Pinta started to lose ground. Quickly, the hybridized egg machine and meat mountains replaced the pastoral poultry of Asturia.

In the end, it wasn’t until the 1980’s that some specimens were located in the Leon area for protection. Like the Basque Hen, the Pita Pinta was relegated to a few regional farms and nearly lost to history.

The Pita Pinta Today

Today, the Pita Pinta is finding its way into the hearts of conservationists, hobby farmers, and pastured-poultry enthusiasts. Fortunately, while fewer than 2,000 currently exist on the planet, the breed is gaining some ground.

According to the Pita Pinta breed association (ACPPA), there are just over 52 breeders and just under 1900 birds. While most of the birds are located in their native Spain, they are also available in the U.S., France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany. As long as poultry enthusiasts and food aficionados can appreciate a pasturing marvel, there is hope for the Pita Pinta.

Sunbird Farms couldn’t find a bird better suited for our efforts. Enjoying the Valley’s climate at the foot of the Sierra’s, our orchards tailor-made for these beauties.