Bielefelder Kennhuhn

The concept of an auto-sexing chicken breed goes back to the work of Reginald Punnett in the 1920s and 1930s.[10]^: 6

The Bielefelder Kennhuhn was developed in the 1970s in the area of Bielefeld, in Ostwestfalen-Lippe in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen.[4] It was created by Gerd Roth by cross-breeding of birds of Malines and Welsumer stock with American Barred Rock birds.[4][9]^: 95[10]^: 6 It was first exhibited in 1976 as the Deutsche Kennhuhn; in 1980, when the breed was recognised by the Bund Deutscher Rassegeflügelzüchter, the name was changed to Bielefelder Kennhuhn.[10]^: 6

In 2007 its conservation status, as reported to the DAD-IS database of the FAO, was "not at risk".[1]^: 51 It is not among the endangered chicken breeds listed by the Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen.[11]

The Bielefelder was initially bred in one colour only, crele (German kennsperber) – the cuckoo pattern with black-breasted red colouring. A silver variety (German silber-kennsperber) was later created; it shows the same patterning as in the crele variety, but without any red or yellow colouration. It is a new colour, not seen in any other breed.[10]^: 7

Like other breeds with Barred Rock parentage, the Bielefelder is an auto-sexing breed – chicks of different sexes can be distinguished by their colour.[10]^: 6

The Bielefelder is dual-purpose breed, well suited to extensive management. It is fast-growing and yields a good carcass.[9]^: 96 Hens may give about 230 large brown eggs per year, with an average weight of about 60 g.[4]

Bantam hens may give about 160 eggs per year, with an average weight of 49 g.[5]

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  Hen
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  Cock
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  Bantam hen
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  Bantam cock