Kraienkopp Chicken

     Kraienkopp is the German name (Twentse is the Dutch name), for this border area Chicken breed that originated between Germany and the Netherlands. The crossbreeding started basically with crosses between Malays and local breeds, in the late 19th century. Later, silver-duckwing Leghorns were introduced, and the Kraienkopp got the shape and look we see today. 

     The Kraienkopp is a tall and proud bird, that suits well in poultry shows. It’s also known as a laying chicken breed, as hens lay plenty of off-white eggs (150 – 200 per year), and go broody too. The Kraienkopp is a truly active bird, that renders it to be an excellent forager too.

     The Kraienkopp has a pea comb, tiny wattles, and bright-yellow legs. It appears only in two color-varieties; the black-breasted red and the silver-duckwing. A bantam version is also available for the Kraienkopp.

 

Place of originThe Netherlands and Germany
UseOrnamental and egg laying
Weight

Standard, male: 2.5 – 3 kg

female: 1.8 – 2.5 kg

Bantam, male: 850 g

female: 740 g

Comb typeWalnut comb
Skin colorYellow
Egg colorCream to yellowish white

 

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A silver-duckwing Kraienkopp rooster by Bomme herrmann
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A black-breasted red Kraienkopp cockerel by Assianir
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A silver-duckwing Kraienkopp hen