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Barnevelder Chickens

Large Double Laced Barnevelder chickens For Sale

Introduction to Barnevelder Chickens

Pure Breed Barnevelder are absolutely beautiful hens, they have gorgeous double laced feather markings and clean featherless legs. They are a large breed and robust. Although gentle in nature they are no shrinking violet and have bags of character. Well suited to free ranging and foraging set ups, would be O.K. in small numbers in a smaller setting but would need lots of enrichment. They lay a desirable dark brown egg, they are cold hardy layers and can lay up to 200 a year.

Good With Most

This breed will be suited with most other breeds, however, some gentle breeds are not compatible with Hybrids or more aggressive breeds. Check the full breed guide for more information.

Chicken Buying Guide

Aloof But Friendly

This breed will be very inquisitive and friendly; however, they can seem a little aloof as they do not like being handled too much and will be self-sufficient, they prefer to chicken about doing their own thing

150-200 Dark Brown PA

This breed will lay up to 200 medium dark brown eggs per year, they are not known for being broody.

More About Barnevelder

Character
Suitability
History

Character

Barnevelder are generally a docile hen, they are not known for being aggressive or for bullying, however, if they are in a great number compared to another breed they can dominate. They do like to forage and free roam and would not do very well in long term confinement if there was not enough space or they did not have enrichment. They can be mixed with most other breeds, perhaps be cautious with very delicate bantams such as Polands, they are friendly and can be hand tamed but might never be a lap chicken, they like people and are naturally inquisitive.

Suitability

These lovely large sized birds are fantastic hens if you’re looking for a rangy pure breed laying hen, not only are they absolutely stunning but their docile nature means they can mix with most other breeds. They would not do great in a small setting with no enrichment, they would thrive in a free ranging or foraging environment, with lots of outdoor grass time. They are clever and cheeky birds and are naturally inquisitive, they can be mixed in flocks of hybrids and smaller bantams. They like to perch and roost and would need some run enrichment if left in for long periods. They can fly so will need a safe, enclosed area when you are not around, they can manage a house that is up a ladder or ramp, they may like to roost at night and would benefit from roosting bars.

History

In the area of Barneveld, Gelderland, The Netherlands around 1865, local fowl were crossed with Asiatic “Shanghai” breeds (Cochin) to initially create a larger bird. These birds were further crossed with the the large Brahma which was also developed from the Shanghai fowl, and the Langshan. In 1898/9. In 1906, the Buff Orpington was also crossed in, then with an unknown selection of dark brown layers, the Barnevelder chicken emerged, the hen comes from a long lineage of larger and docile breeds creating a lovely hen with a calm temperament and a mixed heritage. They lay well for a pure breed and are not known for being broody, they can lay up to 200 dark brown eggs a year, they are also known for being good winter layers.