by Judy Evans

Created on: December 29, 2010

The Barnevelder chicken is an old Netherlands breed which can be hard to source nowadays. It was developed to produce brown eggs for the Dutch market.

History
It was originally bred in the town of Barneveld and is a mix of several 19th century breeds. Between 1850 and 1975, Brahma, Cochin, Malay and Croad Langshan were imported from Asia and crossed with local birds. One strain was reminiscent of a Black Cochin and was kept as a meat bird. Around 1885 a further cross took place with Brahmas then Langshans. From the Croad Langshan came improved hardiness, brown eggs and increased winter production

In 1921 the Association of Barnevelder Breeders was founded. This association fixed the standard for the breed.

Before the Barnevelder became so popular as a show bird the eggs were a darker brown and the birds were possibly more productive. Show breeders often give more attention to external characteristics and colour then to production figures.

Colours
Black, silver, partridge and double-laced were the four colours recognised with double-laced being the original colour and now the most popular. Since those days a number of varieties exist with not all countries recognising all the different types. There are bantam versions of most of the large fowl colours. The United States recognises the Double-Laced Partridge while European countries recognise various other colours. Some of these are the Black Barnevelder, White, Dark Brown, Partridge, Double-Laced Blue, Blue and Silver.

Description
The bird is a medium to heavy bird and has a compact, well-balanced body with an upright stance and a broad breast. The short wings are carried high. The head is neat and held high. The single comb is of medium size. The Barnevelder has a docile, friendly character.

The cock has similar colouring to the Partridge Plymouth Rock with a black breast and tail with iridescent bronzes and greens in the hackle feathers and saddle. The hen is also similar to the Partridge Plymouth Rock but with heavy lacing and secondary lacing within the feather.  The majority of non-show stock has plumage of mixed black and red. The skin is yellow and the earlobe red.

Uses
The Barnevelder is a dual purpose breed laying between 180 to 200 light brown eggs per hen per annum. They were exported to many countries on the strength of their egg-laying abilities.

The Barnevelder is a good winter layer and also produces a fleshy carcass for the table. They are robust birds and lively, active foragers. They will go broody and are good mothers. The cocks weigh around 8 ½ pounds and the hens 6 ½ pounds.
 
The Barnevelder has remained an efficient forager. Being docile and calm, foraging on free range gives them some healthy exercise. Again, because of their unflappable nature, they will adapt well to confinement.

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