It originates from – and is named for – the governorate of Fayoum, which lies south-west of Cairo and west of the Nile.

It was believed that the Egyptian birds might have a greater resistance to bacterial and viral infection than the American stock.

[6]: 54 [7] The Fayoumi is not recognized by the American Poultry Association, and is not included in its Standard of Perfection.

The comb, earlobes and wattles are bright red; the eyes are dark brown, the beak and toenails horn-coloured.

The breed is fast to mature, with hens laying by four and half months, and cockerels crowing at five or six weeks.