K&P Hendlhof

Chicken for Connoisseurs
Patrick’s first childhood love was for his two roosters, Albert and Friedl. Later, he also fell for Katharina – and together, they now run a chicken farm in Petersdorf, in the heart of the Styrian Thermal and Volcanic Region. Patrick has always had a soft spot for chickens, especially his own, and even devoted his university years to studying them. During a research trip to Canada while completing his PhD, he encountered large-scale poultry farms like he had never seen before. Upon returning to Austria, he began working with a major animal welfare organization. Not long after, he and his wife Kathi fulfilled their shared dream: establishing an organic chicken farm in Petersdorf near Fehring.

The main breed they raise is Bresse Gauloise, originally from the French province of Bresse, and globally prized for its exceptional meat quality. What Kobe beef is to steak lovers, the Bresse chicken is to true poultry gourmets. The exquisite taste comes from a combination of genetics, slow natural growth, and organic feed. Kathi and Patrick’s chickens forage freely on the lush Styrian orchards around their farm, feeding on whatever nature offers – seasonal herbs, nuts, fruit, and insects. While their approach to raising poultry mirrors that of French tradition, the couple entirely forgo cages, ensure daily outdoor access, and operate according to strict organic principles.

Kathi and Patrick always warmly welcome visitors who are curious to learn more about their sustainable farming practices. Their gourmet poularde is available on select dates throughout the year – either directly from the farm or shipped within Austria.