About Kraienköppe (Twentse) Chickens

Kraienkopp (in german), or Twents Hoen (in Dutch), chickens originated on the border region between Germany and the Netherlands. They were developed in the late nineteenth century with crosses of local chickens with Malays, and later with Silver Duckwing Leghorns.

They were first shown in the Netherlands in 1920, and were shown in Germany in 1925. They are rare today, and are best known as a layer and show birds. Hens lay a fair number of off-white eggs, and will go broody. They are an active bird with excellent foraging abilities.  

Kraienkopps 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.