The Robusta Maculata was created between 1959 and 1965 at the Stazione Sperimentale di Pollicoltura, or experimental chicken breeding centre, of Rovigo, in the Veneto.
It was conceived as a dual-purpose breed, and derived from crossing the Buff Orpington with a commercial strain widely raised in Veneto in the twentieth century, known in Italy as "White America".
[1][2] A standard for the Robusta Maculata was published by the now-defunct Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Specie Avicole, or national association of breeders of avian species, in the latter part of the twentieth century, and is published for historic interest on the website of the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, the federation of Italian poultry associations, the authority governing poultry breeding in Italy.
[5] The Robusta Maculata has yellow skin and legs, which are traditionally preferred by Italian consumers of chicken meat.
In meat production, birds reach a weight of 1.9–2.0 kg in four months, and are usually slaughtered at 18 weeks.