The Chantecler breed was developed in the early 1900's by Brother Wilfred, a monk in Quebec who realized that Canada had no chicken breed of its own. He set out to develop a uniquely Canadian breed that would provide good eggs, meat, and could withstand harsh cold climates.

Breeds that went into development of the original White Chantecler include the Dark Cornish, White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, White Wyandotte, and White Plymouth Rock. The White Chantecler was admitted into the APA Standard of Perfection in 1921.

Dr. J. E. Wilkinson of Alberta developed the Partridge variety a decade or two later by crossing the Partridge Wyandotte, Partridge Cochin, Dark Cornish, and the Rose Comb Brown Leghorn. Partridge Chanteclers were admitted into the Standard in 1935.

A third color, Buff, was developed by the late Walter Franklin in the United States in the early 1980s. Franklin used Buff Cornish, Buff Wyandottes and Buff Plymouth to develop this newest variety. Although this variety is the most widely bred, it is still not recognized by the APA Standard of Perfection at this time.

The Chantecler is found in both Large Fowl and Bantam for White and Partridge varieties, and currently only in Large Fowl for the Buff variety.