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Dutch Bearded Chickens

Stunning Dutch Bearded (Owlbeard) Chickens For Sale

Introduction to Dutch Bearded Chickens

Dutch Bearded chickens are a lovely medium to large pure breed hen, they have gentle natures and are suitable with most other breeds. They do not bully but can be bullied if with more aggressive bigger hens. They make wonderful pets for children as they are robust, friendly and like cuddles. They have cute, fluffy beard muffs also known as owlbeards, they have featherless feet and legs which is great if you don’t want to worry about foot feather care in the winter. They come in lots of lovely colour variations with a fun spotty or speckled plumage. They lay medium to large white eggs, up to about 180 a year and are well suited to both back gardens and free ranging situations.

Good With Most

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

Chicken Buying Guide

Make Great Pets

This breed make wonderful pets for both adults and children, they will have a docile nature and will be easy to handle, they will enjoy human interaction and company.

150-180 White Medium to Large PA

This breed will lay up to 180 medium to large white eggs per year, they can be a little broody and do make good mothers.

More About Dutch Bearded

Character
Suitability
History

Character

Dutch Bearded are very sweet natured hens, they are cuddly and friendly and like people. They can be a little timid to begin with and may take some time to settle, but once you’ve gained their trust, they are very affectionate. They are a mid to large breed but are not aggressive, as such they can be mixed with lots of different breeds including delicate bantams. They make good mothers and can be a little broody but nowhere near as broody as a Silkie or a Pekin Bantam, they can fly but are not flighty. They are also very smart and inquisitive, they enjoy foraging and perching.

Suitability

Bearded Dutch hens are quite an active breed they would do well in either a large walk in run set up or open foraging and free ranging, not a wondering breed though once established they won’t go too far. Due to their docile natures they won’t ruin your garden if you have enough space, but may turn the odd bed into a dust bath in the summer. They are easily hand tamed although it can take patience as they take time to trust. A great all-round hen for pets, layers and will make a wonderful addition to any flock. They can fly so will need an enclosed run when you are not with them, they can also manage a house up a ramp or a ladder and may like to roost at night.

History

The Dutch Owlbeard is one of the oldest Dutch breeds, known for its distinctive beard and muffs that cover its earlobes, along with a horned comb and prominent nostrils. The breed was present in the Netherlands for centuries and was frequently depicted by Dutch artists in the 1600s.

While it existed for a long time, the breed was not officially standardised in its homeland until 1882. This lack of attention likely contributed to a serious decline in numbers toward the end of the 19th century.

The Dutch Bearded hen was revived in the early 20th century by members of the Nederlandse Hoenderclub, who gathered the remaining birds and crossbred them with useful-looking individuals to stabilise the population by around 1910. Owlbeards are now primarily kept as ornamental or show birds and are relatively rare outside of Europe.

A good pure breed layer offering up to 180 medium to large white eggs a year, they are not overly broody but can go broody on occasion, they have a life expectancy of 5-8 years.