Barnevelder
Feathers Plus
The Barnevelder was developed in the Netherlands in 1891. They are named after the Dutch town of Barneveld, which specializes in producing both poultry and eggs. The Dutch supplied to countries all across Europe.
At the time, brown eggs were in demand in England. It is believed that Dutch fowl producers in Barneveld created the Barnevelder to meet this demand.
While they are a newer breed, it is not well documented what breeds they are made up of.
They are believed to be developed by cross-breeding Langshans, Brahmas, Malays, Gold-Laced Wyandottes, and other fowl from Asia.
The breed became officially recognized in the Netherlands in 1923.
Size
Barnevelder fowl come in two sizes – standard and bantam.
Standard Barnevelders are a large breed, making them suitable for dual-purpose birds. Hens weigh around 5.5 lbs while males weigh around 7.7 lbs.
The bantam Barnevelder is smaller. Bantam hens weigh around 1.8 lbs and Bantam males around 2.2 lbs. Bantams are less common than the standard variety and therefore can cost more to purchase.
Life Span
6-12 years
Feather facts about Barnevelder chickens
Barnevelders have double-laced feathers, meaning each feather has two distinct bands of color around the edge. The outer band is typically black, while the inner band can range in color from brown to reddish-brown.
The double-lacing pattern is most pronounced on the feathers of the Barnevelder's neck and tail but can also be seen on their wings and body feathers. The pattern can vary somewhat between individual birds but should be clearly defined and evenly spaced.
Egg color and production of Barnevelder chickens
Barnevelder chickens are known for their dark brown eggs, which are one of the breed's most distinguishing features. They are also known to be good egg layers, with hens producing around 180-200 eggs per year on average. However, egg production can vary depending on factors such as age, diet, and environmental conditions.
Barnevelder hens start laying eggs at around 5-6 months of age and continue laying throughout the year, with a peak in production during the spring and summer months. The eggs are medium to large and have a rich, brown shell color. Their dark brown eggs are especially popular with those who appreciate unique and flavorful eggs, and they are often sought after by artisanal bakers and chefs.
What can’t they eat?
There are lots of foods that you should avoid giving your chicken, but the two main foods are chocolate and beans. The theobromine in chocolate is fatal for chickens as it triggers heart problems. Similarly, the phytohemagglutinin in raw and dried beans also results in fatalities when ingested.
In the UK it is illegal to feed your chickens leftovers from your kitchen as there is potential for disease contamination. Moldy foods should also not be ingested by chickens as the bacteria in the mold can make them unwell.
What should I feed them?
When you first get your chicks they need to be fed grower's mash which is a smaller version of chicken feed that has 19 protein and all the nutritious components they need to help them grow big and strong. Once they reach 6 weeks you can exchange them for chicken pellets, which is just chicken feed in pellet form. Chicken pellets typically have 15-16 proteins. Gradually switch chicken pellets for either layers pellets or layers mash when your chickens reach 18 weeks. Layers pellets and layers mash contain all the vitamins and minerals your chickens need to aid them with egg production.
How much should I feed them?
Chickens typically eat between 2.9oz (80g) and 4.2oz (120g) every day, but on average eat a ¼ pound (113g) of chicken feed a day. Try feeding them this and then adjust according to how much they eat. You can either feed them morning or evening or put food into a feeder that they can enjoy throughout the day.