I remember when I first started out with chickens. Back then, I didn’t pay much attention to breeds—I just wanted the eggs for our family. But as time went on, I realized there are so many wonderful chicken breeds out there, and I started dreaming about adding to my flock. That’s how I ended up with a flock of 47 chickens! Haha!
At the top of my list of breeds to add was the Barnevelder chicken. Known for their gorgeous looks and sweet nature, Barnevelders lay a beautiful, darker brown egg. They’re not aggressive, making them a great chicken breed for families with young kids. I started out with what I thought were four hens, but as you’ll see, things didn’t go exactly as planned!
History of Barnevelder Chickens
The Barnevelder chicken breed originates from the Netherlands and was traditionally bred for dual purposes: both eggs and meat. Named after the Dutch town of Barneveld, these chickens were developed in the early 20th century by crossing local Dutch breeds with imported chickens, like the Langshan and possibly Brahmas.
What really set the breed apart was their stunning, double-laced plumage and their rich brown eggs, which quickly became known as “chocolate eggs.” Today, Barnevelders are loved not only for their egg production but also for their gentle, calm temperament, making them ideal for backyard flocks.
Choosing Barnevelders for My Flock
Barnevelder chickens are sold as a straight run breed since it’s difficult to sex them at hatch. I tried using a few “old wives’ tales” to pick out hens, but either my sexing skills were lacking, or those tricks didn’t work! Haha! I ended up with three roosters and just one hen. I rehomed the handsome roosters and kept my sweet Georgia. Let’s dive into more details about what makes this breed so special!
Barnevelder Chicken Characteristics
Barnevelders are a medium-sized breed with hens weighing around 5.5 to 6 pounds, while roosters are a bit larger at 7-8 pounds. They have a single comb, red earlobes and those famous double-laced feathers that give off beautiful hues of iridescent green, violet and bronze. Georgia, my Barnevelder hen, is absolutely stunning with her rich, dark brown feathers.
Barnevelders are known for being docile, active and quiet, and they aren’t usually at the top of the pecking order. My Georgia is happy to keep to herself, hanging out with the lower-ranking hens. These chickens are also winter-hardy and can tolerate summer heat well. While they do go broody, they’re generally easy to break from it if you need to.
Egg Production and Personality
The Barnevelder hen is a wonderful layer, producing around 180-200 dark brown eggs per year. Their unique “chocolate” eggs are one of the reasons they’re so popular in backyard flocks. Their calm and friendly personalities make them easy to handle, and they’re known to be nurturing, even with young chicks. Barnevelder roosters are also gentle, with many being known to help raise chicks—a rarity among chicken breeds!
Why You Should Add Barnevelders to Your Flock
If you’re looking to add a breed that’s docile, great for eggs and absolutely beautiful, I can’t recommend Barnevelders enough. They’re calm, family-friendly and add a unique color to the flock. Plus, their dark brown eggs are a treat! For me, the egg basket full of various colors is just one of the joys of raising chickens, but the snuggles with my sweet Georgia make it all even better.
Life is Better with Chickens
Raising backyard chickens is such a joy, and having a variety of beautiful breeds just makes it even more special. When the backyard is sprinkled with chickens of every color, life feels complete. Our egg basket is beautiful, full of different hues and it brings me so much happiness knowing we’re feeding ourselves healthy food. Life is good—chickens make it better!
Until next time,
–The Wing Lady
