Other names Twents HoenTwentse Primary use eggs Egg size Medium Egg color Off-white | Egg production (annual) 200 Temperament Aggressive foragers | |
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PCGB rare soft feather: light Recognized variety Black-breasted Red, Silver Similar | ||
The Kraienkopp, Dutch: Twents Hoen, is a breed of chicken originating on the border region between Germany and the Netherlands. The latter of the two names is the Dutch language version, while the former is German. The Kraienkopp appears in two color varieties: Black-breasted Red and Silver. Males weigh 2.75 kilos (6 pounds), and females weigh 1.8 kilos (4 pounds). They have yellow skin and a small walnut-type comb.
The Kraienkopp breed was developed in the late nineteenth century from crosses of local types with Malays, and later with Silver Duckwing Leghorns. It was first shown in the Netherlands in 1920, and was shown in Germany in 1925. It is rare today, and is best known as a layer and a show bird. Hens lay a fair number of off-white eggs, and will go broody. The Kraienkopp is an active bird with excellent foraging abilities.
