Barnevelder

Double-laced cock

Bantam hen

Eggs

In the 1850s Asian chickens began to arrive in Europe, where they were at first known as "Shanghai" chickens. These were initially cross-bred among themselves, and only later developed into breeds such as the Brahma, the Cochin and the Croad Langshan.[1] From about 1865, some of these Shanghai chickens were cross-bred with local farmyard chickens in the area of Barneveld. Towards the end of the nineteenth century there may also have been some breeding with a type called Amerikaanse Nuthoenders ("American utility birds"), which showed some similarity to the American Wyandotte;[5] it is not known what these birds were, or if they were really American.[1] In about 1906 there may also have been some cross-breeding with British Buff Orpington stock.[6]^: 99 According to Hans Schippers, the greatest influence on the characteristics of the Barnevelder was from the Langshan, which contributed hardiness, brown eggs, and good winter production.[5]

The name Barnevelder was first used for birds shown at the Landbouwtentoonstelling or agricultural exhibition held in The Hague in 1911.[7]^: 164 From about this time attempts were made to breed for consistent type and colour.[6]^: 100 However, when the Dutch Poultry Club discussed whether to accept the Barnevelder as a new breed in 1919, it was found to be too variable.[8]^: 105 In 1921 a breeders' association was formed, and the first standard was drawn up. The breed was recognised in 1923.[1]

From about 1921 the Barnevelder was exported to the United Kingdom, where brown eggs were in demand. The birds were at first very variable, with single-laced, double-laced or – mostly – partridge plumage. Partridge and double-laced varieties were included in the British Poultry Standard; the double-laced became the principal variety.[9]^: 62 There may have been some cross-breeding with Indian Game stock.[10] The partridge variety was added to the Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Association in 1991.[2]

Four colour varieties are recognised by the Barnevelderclub of the Netherlands in both large fowl and bantams: double-laced, double-laced blue, black and white; the silver double-laced variety is recognised in the bantam only,[11] and other varieties are in development.[12] The Entente Européenne recognises two further colours in large fowl – blue and partridge – and lists the silver-black double-laced as unrecognised; for bantams it recognises crele and partridge in addition to those recognised in Holland, and lists the blue.[3] In the United Kingdom the four varieties recognised are the double-laced blue, double-laced brown, double-laced silver and black.[13]^: 74

A Barnevelder hen lays some 175–200 brown eggs per year, with a weight of about 60–65 g.[1]^: 12