Description
The Volailles de l'Orléanais PGI include free-range winged animals of different breeds and low-raising crossbreeds: free-range white chickens; Christmas turkeys; farm capons and pullets; free-range pullets; farm black and white chickens raised in the open air; farm free-range chicken, pullets and white capons.
Production Area
The production area of Volailles de l'Orléanais PGI includes the departments of Loiret, Eure-et-Loire and Loir-et-Cher and their neighbouring cantons Loiret, Orne, Sarthe and Yonne.
Production Method
Volailles de l'Orléanais PGI are raised in the open air or free depending on the sizes of grassy areas and fencing. Their diet consists of cereals and butchering is made when the different breeds are close to sexual maturity, except of capon.
Appearance and Flavour
The fowls of Volailles de l'Orléanais PGI, even though they feature substantial differences, are generally compact and flavourful and leaner than the other winged animals which are not farmed free or in the open air.
History
The fame of Volailles de l'Orléanais PGI goes back to historic origins linked to the existence in the past of numerous farms of winged animals in the region. The production was relaunched in 1969 when the Label production chain was established.
Gastronomy
The Volailles de l'Orléanais PGI can be conserved in different ways: fresh, frozen or cooked. In addition, there are a lot of recipes based on Volailles de l'Orléanais PGI. Anyway, due to the characteristic of fowls, they are always tasteful and elaborated second courses which are often eaten during the feast days. Roasted or sauté with aromatic herbs or cooked with precious wines, they are the base of flavourful dishes, often accompanied by sauces and creams in line with French tradition and trimmings of cooked vegetables of potatoes.
Marketing
The Volailles de l'Orléanais PGI includes different types of products, depending on the specific varieties of poultry of the denomination which are individually written on the package. Amongst them, there are poulet fermier (blanc e blanc cou-nu 100 jours, noir, jaune) , dinde fermière de Noël, chapon fermier, poularde fermière, pintade fermière (farm chicken, white and bare-neck 100 days old, black and yellow; Christmas farm turkey; farm capon; farm pullet; farm guinea hen). The product is sold fresh, whole or without head, or in slices, packed in suitable trays with protected atmosphere to guarantee a longer conservation and keep unaltered the organoleptic features of fowl.
Distinctive Features
Thanks to the specific selection of the breed, the slaughtering age, the diet rich in cereals and the specific breeding method, the nutritional values of Volailles de l'Ain PGI free winged animals are a lot, indeed, they contain more protein and less water, mineral salts and vitamins.
