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 original and most well-known Barnevelder variety is the double-laced variety, which has a single vertical comb and yellow legs, but other varieties also exist. In standard-sized birds, the pattern is expressed on a brown (e^b/e^b) background.[11] Only the females express the double-laced pattern, whereas the males are melanized black-breasted reds. The Barnevelder Club of the Netherlands recognizes the double-laced, double-laced blue, black, and white varieties in both large fowl and bantam versions.[12] The club also recognizes the silver double-laced variety, but only the bantam version. They note that a few new varieties, such as the silver-black double-laced, are in development but are not yet officially recognized.[13]

Some countries recognize varieties in their Poultry Standards that are not currently recognized in the Netherlands, such as the autosexing barred, dark brown, partridge, chamois, blue, and silver varieties.[14][15][16][17]

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

• Barnevelder und Zwerg-Barnevelder Schriftenreihe für Geflügelkunde, 4. Aufl., 48 pp, Verlag Reutlingen Oertel & Spoerer 1989, ISBN 3-88627-078-5 (German language)