Barnevelders
Calm, Friendly, Quiet
Recognized Color Varieties
-
Double Laced Partridge
Breed Traits
Barnevelders are a heavy breed with single red comb, red wattles and earlobes, and yellow legs. The only color variety recognized by the American Poultry Association is the Double Laced Partridge which features beautiful rich golden brown feathers with double black lacing in each feather. The head and hackle feathers are all black with a noticeable darker edging.
Barnevelders are calm, friendly, and fairly hardy once full grown. They do well in a backyard flock, with children, and with beginners. Unfortunately, their gentle nature also means they can be easily picked on by excessively dominant hens. Barnevelders do best with other more docile breeds.
The beauty of the darker brown egg has been the focus of breeding for Barnevelders, so the quantity of eggs Barnevelders lay has unfortunately diminished. You can expect to see approximately 175 eggs per year. Like all dark egg layers, the eggs are darkest when the hen is younger, and lighten with age.
Breed History
Barnevelders were developed in the district of Barneveld in Holland. The original fowl was brought by Phoenician traders in the twelfth century, and it was not developed until the 19th century when the locals discovered Asiatic breeds with greater laying ability. They cross bred their Barnevelder with the Malay, Brahma, and Langshan in order to improve its laying performance. The eggs became larger, darker, and the Barnevelders laid more of them throughout the winter.
Quick Facts
Peak Egg Production
Decent: Approx 175
Egg Size
Large
Egg Color
Darker Brown
Tolerant of Confinement
Yes
Cold Hardy
Yes
Heat Tolerant
No
Broody
No
American Poultry Association
Continental