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Braekel Chicken Breed Info

Modified: Feb 9, 2023 by Phil · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The Braekel is one of the oldest European chicken breeds, dating back to the 15th century. They were developed for egg production, producing around 200 eggs per year. They can provide meat, but they are more commonly used for egg laying because the meat has a game-like flavor.

A beautiful Braekel Chicken in a backyard garden on a sunny day.

Braekel hens produce medium-sized white eggs and are not prone to become broody.

Jump to:
  • Braekel Chicken Breed Quick Info
  • Origins of Braekel Chicken
  • Some Things to Know About Braekel Chicken
  • How Easy is it to Keep Braekel Chickens?
  • Special Care and Considerations for Braekel Chickens
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Braekel Chicken Breed Quick Info

Braekel Chicken Description

Braekel Type/Size:Standard
Feather Color:Silver, Gold
Leg Type:Clean
Leg Color:White
Skin Color:Yellow
Braekel Ease of Raising/Keeping:Medium
Braekel Special Care Needs:Yes
Is the Braekel breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken?Rare

Braekel Use

MeatNo
EggsYes
Dual PurposeNo
Braekel Temperament:Active, alert
Braekel Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Braekel Egg Production

Egg ColorWhite
Egg SizeMedium
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year200
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksLow

Braekel Meat Production

Dressed Weight MaleN/A
Dressed Weight FemaleN/A

Braekel Climate Tolerance

HeatExcellent
ColdExcellent

Braekel Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size6 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying5 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest SizeN/A

Braekel Size at Maturity

Male7 lbs
Female6 lbs

Origins of Braekel Chicken

A Braekel Chicken and a Braekel rooster on  green pasture.

This breed originates from the Brakel region of Belgium. They are thought to have been brought to Belgium during the Middle Ages and seem to be related to the Fayoumi chicken breed, which still exists in Egypt today.

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Their numbers decreased after World War II. Today, they are rare and being protected. It is not common to find this breed outside of Belgium.

Some Things to Know About Braekel Chicken

A beautiful Braekel rooster in a backyard.

The Braekel chicken resembles the Campine chicken in its appearance, although the Braekel is larger and not hen-feathered. The hens of the two breeds are nearly identical, but the Braekel roosters have normal male feathering.

There are several color varieties, although the most common are golden- and silver-penciled. They have single combs, white earlobes, and slate-blue legs. There is also a bantam version of the breed.

How Easy is it to Keep Braekel Chickens?

An adorable Braekel Chicken perched in green grass.

This breed is one of the few in the world that is both cold and heat-hardy. The chicks mature quickly and are hardy and disease resistant, making them ideal for homesteaders and beginning chicken owners alike. They prefer to be free-range and like to fend for themselves.

Special Care and Considerations for Braekel Chickens

Like all chickens with a large single comb and wattles, the Braekel chicken is at risk of developing frostbite in the winter. You can use vaseline to protect their comb and wattles from freezing in low temperatures.

The males have long tail feathers, so they require perches that are separated from the wall of the coop. The silver-penciled variety also needs shade in the sun, so they do not change color.

Braekel Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

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