The origins of the Lakenvelder are not set in stone but they are thought to have come from the Southern part of Holland, close to the German border, in the early 1700’s. They grew popular around that region and eventually made it to Great Britain in the early 1900’s. It was introduced in the United States in the early 1900’s as well. The Lakenvelder was recognized by the APA 1939.

 

Characteristics

The Lakenvelder is on the smaller side of the scale. This fowl has a eye-catching feather pattern. The color of the feathers is a combination of black and white. The Lakenvelder has black hackles and black tail feather with a white middle with a small amount of black tipped feathers on the wing. This fowl has a single comb, red wattles and white earlobes. The shanks are a grayish blue. The Lakenvelder is an active bird and tends to be a flight risk. They do best in free range. The hens tend to not go broody.

 

Standard Weights

Cock: 5 lbs

Hen: 4 lbs

Bantam Cock: 24 oz

Bantam Hen: 20 oz

 

Varieties

Only one variety.

 

Egg Shell Color

White or tinted light brown.

 

Uses

The Lakenvelder, while having tasty meat, does not have a fill out body for a table fowl, but lays a large amount of white eggs per year. It also has ornamental uses.

 

 

References

Chicken Breeds and Varieties (A2880), John L. Skinner, University of Wisconsin-Madison

 

Ekarius, Carol. "Chickens: Lakenvelder." Pocketful of Poultry: Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys. North Adams, MA: Storey Pub., 2007. 96-97. Print.

 

"Lakenvelder Chicken." The Livestock Conservancy. The Livestock Conservancy, n.d. Web. 30 June 2015.

 

Lewis, Celia. "Breed Profiles: Lakenvelder." The Illustrated Guide to Chickens: How to Choose Them, How to Keep Them. New York: Skyhorse Pub., 2011. 108. Print.