Barnevelder chickens are a meat-egg breed of chickens. This poultry can very often be found in the private yards of Western poultry farmers, as owners value it for its unpretentiousness in keeping, feeding and calm disposition. In our homeland, the Barnevelder is a rather rare breed, and getting purebred representatives is quite problematic.
In today's publication we will introduce you to the history of the Barnevelder breed, provide a description of the bird, show its photos and reviews from farmers who are familiar with the chicken first-hand.
Historical reference
The breed appeared in 1893, in the small Dutch town of Barnevelder, where its name came from. The impetus for the creation of this type of chicken was the demand for beautiful chocolate-colored eggs. The breeders' work failed because some eggs have terracotta shells.
To create the species, scientists used local chicken varieties and chickens imported from Holland: Cochin, Brahma and Langshan. In 1910, the Barnevelder chicken breed was recognized by the national association.
The breed became so popular that the city's first regional market opened in 1913, giving the province the nickname "Egg City." In honor of this event, a stop “Barneveld Noord” was installed, decorated with an outbuilding with a chicken silhouette.
The popularity of the Barnevelder chicken breed continues to this day. The beauty of the double plumage of chickens is especially appreciated, which is why these birds are classified as decorative varieties.
Living conditions
Content type
When deciding where it is better to keep colored sasso broilers, in a cage or a chicken coop, you first need to decide for what purpose the bird is raised.
If it is to produce meat, then it is more rational to use cages, since in them broilers will be sedentary, which will have a positive effect on their precocity.
If it is also to obtain eggs, then it is better to place the birds in a spacious chicken coop with possible walking, for which a special pen should be made near the barn.
In this case, walking on the farmstead allows the chickens to get all the useful microelements missing in the feed, which have a positive effect on their well-being, and, as a result, increase the quality of egg production.
Planting Density
In the case of keeping colored sasso broilers in a chicken coop, it is necessary to comply with the area standards. They depend on the age of the chickens and are:
- for week-old chickens - 30 heads per 1 square meter;
- for two-week-old broilers – 15 heads per 1 square meter;
- for menstruation – 10 heads per 1 square meter;
- for adults – no more than 5 heads per 1 square meter.
If you plan to keep them in cages, then you can move chickens there only after they are one month old. 1 square meter can accommodate 15 month-old and 10 adult birds.
Environment
Regardless of the type of keeping Sasso broilers, it is necessary to take care of the environment in the room where they will live.
The air temperature inside the chicken coop should be constant, ranging from +16 to +21 degrees. To maintain optimal temperature conditions, heaters are installed in winter, and special cooling units are used in summer.
It is important to exclude the appearance of drafts, especially in the cold season. Otherwise, the chickens will begin to lose feathers and get sick.
Case is not excluded.
It is also necessary to install ventilation equipment that will eliminate the accumulation of mustiness and harmful gases: carbon dioxide and ammonia. If it is not possible to install such equipment, the number and duration of ventilation should be increased.
The humidity in the room should be 55–60%.
If broilers are kept on the floor, you need to provide them with bedding made of hay, straw or dry sawdust. Peat will also work.
Appearance: structure, plumage, features
Externally, Barnevelder chickens are large, but short. The large head on a short neck is crowned with a small leaf-shaped crest of scarlet color. The earrings, face and earlobes are the same shade. The beak of the birds is small, yellow-black in color.
The lumbar, shoulder and dorsal region of the birds is straight and wide, the tail is set high. Barnevelder chickens have lush tail feathers. Roosters have small black braids.
The wings of chickens fit tightly to the body and are short. The sternum is wide and rounded. The legs are powerful, but short. The metatarsals are cast yellow. The fingers are spaced wide apart and end in light-colored claws.
Interestingly, in different countries, barnevelders have different plumage.
Acquisition
The breed has been spared by fashion and the increased attention of poultry farmers, on the one hand, but on the other hand, it is not included in the list of “significant” government agencies preserving populations and pure blood. Therefore, you can only buy Barnevelder from private traders
Due to the unsettled balance of supply and demand, the price is very different. There are sellers offering hatching eggs (in 2016 prices) for 200 rubles. per piece, you can find it for half the price. The price for day-old chicks starts from 350 rubles
Therefore, you can only buy Barnevelder from private owners. Due to the unsettled balance of supply and demand, the price is very different. There are sellers offering hatching eggs (in 2016 prices) for 200 rubles. per piece, you can find it for half the price. The price for day-old chicks starts from 350 rubles.
Residents of the Moscow region can contact Viktor Mikhailovich from the city of Bronnitsy, Moscow region (tel. +7 (916) 181-86-97).
Feather cover is an aesthetic pleasure for the breeder
Classic and other acceptable color variations
The classic color of Barnevelder chickens is red and black. Pure white and black feathers are recognized. The recognition of other colors remains controversial.
In dwarf breeds, on the contrary, exclusively silver plumage is considered correct.
White and black Barnevelders are no different from other breeds of similar color. A cross with silver feathers is being developed in Holland, but it has not yet been officially recognized.
It’s more difficult with two-color barnevelders. Their color follows precise rules: alternating two colors on the feathers. The color ends in white or black, depending on the overall color of the bird.
Each country has its own achievements
Some chickens have red feathers alternating with black. This color is officially recognized in America.
Due to the tendency to mutate into lavender, lavender-red hens are increasingly appearing. There is no official recognition of the variety.
Distinct stripes are noticeable on Barnevelder chickens with black and silver plumage. In the Netherlands, the white and gold color is not recognized. But laying hens of this color are not uncommon.
The partridge color of the Barnevelder is recognized only in England. There are also autosex variants of plumage, but they are classified as defective.
The Barnevelder cockerel is easily distinguished by its modest color, compared to the bright plumage of laying hens.
Barnevelder colors
The magnificent colors and shiny feathers of the chickens delight the audience.
Belnevenders come in the following colors:
- Black. The chickens have anthracite feathers with a greenish tint, on the back with a white base.
- White. The color is not pure white, but with a shiny grayish or creamy tint.
- Dark brown. The color ranges from dark to chestnut, the tail is black-green.
The colors are considered classic Dutch.
Double edged options
The bordered barnevelders are especially beautiful. There are two teardrop-shaped edges of a contrasting color running along the feather - one along the edge, the other in the center of the feather.
Double edging of feathers occurs only in birds of this breed. Roosters have edged feathers on their backs and wings, while chickens have feathers all over their bodies except the neck and tail.
Many types of double-edged colors have been developed:
- Black-green and red-brown feathers are the most common type;
- Silver-black;
- Golden blue;
- Black blue-edged;
- Cuckoos.
The blue-edged barnevelder is especially beautiful.
Cull rates
Only healthy individuals that fully comply with quality standards are allowed for breeding. For Barnevelder chickens, the following are considered stop factors:
- narrowness of the sternum;
- enamel on earlobes;
- scarcity of plumage;
- shabby tail;
- weakness;
- narrow or short body.
Carefully examine the Barnevelder hen or rooster before purchasing if you choose to breed them for sale. Make sure that the individual you are purchasing does not have any of the listed defects. Otherwise, it will be difficult to sell the products.
Incubation
Due to the developed maternal instinct, there is no urgent need for an incubator. If you need an incubator for breeding, then it maintains a temperature of about +37 degrees.
Table of temperature and humidity modes
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