A high-stakes poultry preservation effort is officially underway in East Gippsland this week as a shipment of critically endangered Crèvecoeur poultry eggs arrives safely at the Eagle Point Crèvecoeur Conservancy.
Shipped from a specialist breeder in Canberra, the fertile eggs are scheduled for immediate placement this Monday into a custom-built, state-of-the-art “freezerbator”.
The specialised incubator was engineered from an upright freezer unit to provide the ultra-precise climate control required for hatching rare and delicate avian species.
Operating as a premier conservation project, the Eagle Point Crèvecoeur Conservancy is led by local biodiversity advocates David and Jenni Craker of Eagle Point.
The initiative works in tandem with the Australian Crèvecoeur Poultry Club to protect one of France’s oldest heritage poultry breeds, currently threatened with global extinction.
Famous for their dramatic black plumage, striking feather crests, and distinct V-shaped comb, the Crèvecoeur currently faces a critical genetic bottleneck in Australia.
“Every single hatch is a victory against extinction,” Mr Craker said.
“Heritage breeds are the bedrock of agricultural biodiversity. By combining healthy genetics from the nation’s capital with our custom-engineered incubator, we are giving these historic birds the absolute best environment to pip, hatch, and thrive right here in Eagle Point.”
Working alongside a network of dedicated breeders across the ACT, NSW, and Queensland, the Eagle Point project serves as a vital genetic insurance policy for the rare breed.
Local residents, schools and poultry enthusiasts are invited to follow the 21-day incubation journey online, with regular updates, candling videos, and live hatch footage set to be shared with the community.
