Underappreciated Chicken Breeds
by Kara F
Published July 16, 2024
Today, I want to talk about some unconventional, underappreciated chicken breeds – those rare gems that often fly under the radar but make fantastic flock additions. These lesser-known breeds are all options you don’t want to miss when planning out your flock. And speaking of planning, don’t forget to order early our breeds for the next year are released in late October/Early November, and if you miss out on a breed you want, sign up for back-in-stock notifications on that breed page on our website.
Swedish Flower Hen:
A chicken adorned in hues reminiscent of a blooming meadow, with large/extra-large white eggs and a resilience forged in the unforgiving landscapes of southern Sweden. Meet the Swedish Flower Hen, a testament to the power of natural selection. These birds, also known as Blommehons, boast a rich tapestry of colors ranging from red to blue, with whitish spots adorning their feathers to give a ‘petal’ look. Friendly, docile, and cold-hardy, they are a prized addition to any homestead flock, laying around 4-6 white eggs per week even in the depths of winter.
Opal Legbar:
Prepare to be enchanted by the Opal Legbar, a vision in platinum barred lavender feathers with a fabulous head crest to boot. Bred from the illustrious Crested Cream Legbar, these birds lay an abundance of pastel eggs and are a testament to the ingenuity of poultry scientists and the endless possibilities within the chicken genome. With an average of 3 to 5 sky-blue eggs per week and hardy in all climates, they are a beautiful backyard flock addition.
Barnevelder:
Next up is the Barnevelder, with its double-laced partridge pattern and history tracing back to the quaint town of Barneveld, Holland. Developed over two centuries ago for its hardiness and dark brown eggs, this Dutch breed is a rare find in the United States, making it a highly coveted addition to any flock. Slow to mature but abundant in its egg production, the Barnevelder is a dual-purpose breed that combines beauty with functionality.
Egyptian Fayoumis:
Step back in time with the Egyptian Fayoumis, a breed that has roamed the sands of Egypt since the days of the pharaohs. Despite its small size, this ancient breed packs a punch with its resilience and excellent foraging abilities. Valued for its heat hardiness and productivity, the Fayoumis lays 3-5 white eggs per week and thrives in free-range settings, making them a hidden gem you should not skip.
Golden Cuckoo Marans:
A rare feather pattern of the esteemed Marans breed, the Golden Cuckoo Marans is dazzling. With its showy golden bars against a backdrop of white, this color variety is a true beauty. Known for its dark brown eggs and striking plumage, the Golden Cuckoo Marans is another treasure waiting to be discovered by backyard chicken keepers in any climate.
Bielefelder:
Last but certainly not least, we have the Bielefelder – the ultimate chicken breed for those seeking both functionality and beauty. Developed in Germany in the 1970s, this autosexing marvel combines excellent egg-laying capabilities with a docile temperament and stunning plumage. With an average of 3-5 large, brown eggs per week and large enough to be suitable for the table, the Bielefelder is truly a special breed.
In conclusion, while these unconventional breeds may not always be in the spotlight, they possess a wealth of unique traits and characteristics that make them valuable additions to any flock. Whether you’re drawn to their historical significance, their striking appearance, or their practical functionality on a homestead, there’s no denying the allure of these hidden gems in the world of poultry.
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Bilefelder “females” were expensive and now are more expensive @ $12.00 per day old chick. I’ve got 3 hens left and a Roo after 2 orders. I had issues with “bully hens” when I tried at night to introduce them in the coop. Also in FL they don’t do well with horrible hot summer weather. Most people can’t afford the price of them. I’ll be buying another breed like Wellsummers that are about $5.00 less and are really good in the heat. Not really that hatcheries fault on the last 2, but, the price is too high for me. Have ordered these many times from another hatchery at that price.
Hi James, Bielefelders are definitely a great chicken and a popular choice. They are generally considered hardy in all climates, I haven’t personally had a problem with them in the heat. It’s always interesting to hear people’s experiences. Price of chicks depends on lots of variables and definitely varies from breed to breed and will vary depending on where you get the chicks too. Welsummer are definitely hardy as well. In Florida, you might also have good luck with White Leghorns, they do well in the heat and are great layers and are budget friendly. I hope you find what breeds work best for you!
This is funny… this post has named four of my six favorite breeds of all time. I thought I was unique in my tastes! My other favorites that are missing from this post are 55 Flowery Hens (because I don’t think a more perfect bird has ever existed!) and Easter Eggers (I know they’re not rare or overlooked at all, but they really do have such amazing personalities and are so varied and intriguing in both plumage and egg color). What’s even more crazy is that I recently came across Opal Legbars and fell in love – now I’m adding those to my “need to have” list too. This article is freaking me out with how likeminded whoever wrote it is to me! I can totally pass on the Egyptian Fayoumis, though. We ordered a few of these once, and they were half the size of the rest of the birds and kept getting out of the pen! Once we bought a roll of fencing with even smaller holes, they then started flying over the 6ft sides of the pen! They can fly really well, at a very young age. They were lightning fast, elusive, and never wanted to be handled. Like the Road Runner. Beep Beep!
Hi Jenne! So glad you can appreciate a few of our favorites. Easter Eggers are definitely on my list as well!
if you have a catalog or price list for Hens Would you send me one
Hi Theresa! Thank you so much for reaching out. We made the green decision of no longer printing an annual catalog and instead are relying on our website presence where you can find all of our offerings as well as pricing and availability. http://www.meyerhatchery.com
We do have a price list and I will email that to you separately in a little while. 🙂