Lakenvelder chickens are an historical laying breed from the Utrecht space of southern Holland and the neighboring Nordrhein-Westfalen space of Germany. They take their title from the Dutch village of Lakervelt, in a area that favors the colour sample of a white mid part with black extremities. In addition to Lakenvelder chickens, examples embrace goats, rabbits, pigs, and cattle. In the US we name the sample Dutch Belted.
Bodily Attributes
Lakenvelders are white chickens with black hackles and lengthy, sleek black tails. Though different colour patterns exist, this silver sample is the commonest. The Lakenvelder’s true plumage colour and markings absolutely develop after the third molt, making juvenile plumage unreliable as an indicator of how a rooster will take a look at maturity.
Setting off its hanging black-and-white plumage, the Lakenvelder has slate legs and a brilliant pink single comb. Roosters mature to about 5 kilos, hens to about 4 kilos. Silver Lakenvelders arrived in the US round 1905 and have been admitted to the American Customary of Perfection in 1939.
Breed Qualities
Lakenvelder hens start laying at round 5 months of age, averaging 150 to 200 medium dimension white or tinted eggs per 12 months. The hens not often brood.
Lakenvelders are hottest for laying and for exhibition. Being somewhat smallish, they aren’t typically saved for meat. Nevertheless, regardless of being a bit meager, the meat is exceptionally flavorful.
Lakenvelder chickens have good warmth tolerance however should not keen on chilly climate. Given enough shelter, although, they do properly in most climates.
As an particularly energetic breed, Lakenvelders could dominate the extra docile breeds in a combined flock. And they don’t like shut confinement, which will increase their flightiness.
Lakenvelders desire, as a substitute, to forage broadly. Being extraordinarily lively and in addition cautious, Lakenvelder chickens make a superb selection for homegrown free vary eggs.
Useful Hyperlinks
Easy methods to Combine Completely different Hen Breeds in One Flock
When To Count on Your Hens to Begin Laying
Lakenvelder Membership of America
Lakenvelder Chickens Provided by Cackle Hatchery®
And that’s at the moment’s information from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has written quite a few poultry-keeping books, together with The Hen Encyclopedia.
