Bielefelders originated in Germany with a breeder named Gerd Roth. He combined breeds such as the New Hampshire, Wyandotte, Cuckoo Malines, and the Amrock to develop this new breed. They are auto-sexing, which means that you can tell the males apart from the females as soon as they hatch. As they mature, the breed’s complex barred, spotted, and cuckoo patterns emerge, which camouflages them when they are in their natural environment, helping to protect them from predators. Bielefelders are a great choice for those wanting to free-range their flock as they are well camouflaged and are excellent foragers. The variety of colors that occur in this beautiful breed include orange, black, white, brown, gray, and even touches of pink, making for a striking appearance in this gentle giant of a bird! They are known for their great temperament, meaty carcass and laying large brown eggs.  Due to their resistance to the cold, most hens will continue laying through the winter months.

This social breed enjoys human interaction, making it a great choice for families with children. Adding to Bielefelders’ family-friendly tendencies is the fact that they are docile, calm, and collected. And while they are vocal, they are not loud, which makes them a great suburban choice, as well.

Bielefelder

These strikingly beautiful chickens have a great temperament, meaty carcass and lay large brown/chocolate eggs.  Due to their resistance to the cold, most hens will continue laying through the winter months. As a large breed, Bielefelders begin laying eggs later than other standard layers, but the wait is well worth it!

Egg Production: 200-280 annually

Broody: Occasionally

Weight: 9.5 to 12 pounds