Bielefelder

ChickenUncommon breed

The Bielefelder was created in 1970s Germany by breeder Gerd Roth, who crossed Cuckoo Malines, Amrock, Wyandotte and New Hampshire stock to get one bird that did everything: large, calm, productive and autosexing. Chicks can be sexed on hatch day — cockerels show a pale head spot, pullets a clear stripe pattern — which alone makes the breed worth keeping. Hens lay a heavy run of large brown eggs and the birds carry good table size, while roosters have an unusual reputation for being steady and non-aggressive around people. Hardy in heat and cold, it's an excellent family homestead bird that's still fairly scarce in the US.

Beginner friendly

Quiet breed

Good with kids

Cold hardy

Heat tolerant

Broody

Egg colorBrown

Egg production250–300 / year

TemperamentDocile

BroodinessOccasional

ClimateCold hardy, Heat tolerant

PurposeEggs, Meat

Weight

Hen7.5–8 lb

Rooster9.5–10 lb

How to spot it

CombSingle: Single comb, medium
Earlobes: Red
Legs & feet: Yellow-orange legs, four toes
Plumage: Crele (cuckoo-partridge): barred grey over a red-gold ground, warmer and more autumnal on roosters
Look for: A large bird in warm barred red-gold — and day-old chicks sexable by down, cockerels with a pale head spot