Poultry Breeds : Barnevelders

The Barnevelders are the most popular dual-purpose breed of Holland. The breed has recently gained a large following in England, and during 1923 seemed to increase in popularity. The male has a black breast and tail, with red in hackle and saddle, like our Partridge Plymouth Rock. The female also resembles the Partridge Rock female, except that she has a heavy lacing on the feather with secondary lacing within. Where selection has not been along fancy lines, the color of the stock is mixed black and red. In 1922, effort was made in Holland to Standardize the Barnevelder stock as it existed in the hands of farmers. Of over 100,000 birds in the Barnevelder district, 2,000 were accepted by the inspector as possessing good breed quality. The breed has yellow skin, produces brown shelled eggs, has a single comb and red ear lobe.

Barnevelder fowls are hardy. They are good layers, sit and rear their own young. Hens should weigh about 6 1/2 lbs., and cocks, 8 1/2 lbs. Cold winds sweep over the home district of this breed, and the climate is very damp. Because of the climate conditions a thrifty type of fowl was developed. The females lay a good sized egg.

Reference:

Platt, Frank L. 1925. All Breeds of Poultry, Origin: History: Description, Mating and Characteristics. American Poultry Journal. Chicago.

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