Barnevelder Chicken | epoultryfarm

Barnevelder Chicken

Originating from Holland, the Barnevelder is a placid bird. Their initial attraction was their high numbers of large brown eggs. The Barnevelder has orange eyes with yellow legs and feet. Only one of the four coloured varieties are accepted by the American Poultry Association. Today, Barnevelders are bred both as a utility breed and a show breed. They are medium heavy dual-purpose chickens that lay a good number of eggs but also yield a reasonable body weight. They are hardy birds and good foragers. While they became famous for their dark brown eggs in the first half of the 20th century, most birds now appear to be in the hands of show breeders and not much attention has been given to maintaining the dark brown egg colour or to productivity with the focus being on external characteristics instead. Many flocks now lay eggs of a much lighter brown and are sometimes not quite as productive as befits their reputation. They are good winter layers and have a quiet disposition.

Classification

Soft feather-heavy

Appearance

The Barnevelder varies from red – brown with a black tip to some black feathers on the tail and neck accompanied with a beetle green sheen.

Weight

Cock 3.2-3.8 Kg
Hen 2.3 – 2.7 Kg
Rooster 910 g
Hen 740 g

Egg Colour

Dark brown