• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chicken & Chicks Info
  • Chickens
  • Chicks
  • Eggs
  • Blog
  • Find a Hatchery Near You
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Chickens
  • Chicks
  • Eggs
  • Blog
  • Peafowl
  • Egg Farms
  • Hatcheries
  • Avian Vets
  • Guinea Fowl
search icon
Homepage link
  • Chickens
  • Chicks
  • Eggs
  • Blog
  • Peafowl
  • Egg Farms
  • Hatcheries
  • Avian Vets
  • Guinea Fowl
×

Kraienkoppe Chicken Breed Info

Modified: Feb 6, 2023 by Phil · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The Kraienkoppe breed (its German name) is also called the Twents Hoen (its Dutch name). They are used as show birds and layers.

A big beautiful Kraienkoppe rooster in a backyard.
Image source: Wikipedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hens lay a moderate number of white-colored eggs, and they tend to go broody. They're hardy and will continue to lay even during the cold winter months.

Jump to:
  • Kraienkoppe Chicken Breed Quick Info
  • Origins of the Kraienkoppe Chicken
  • Some Things to Know About the Kraienkoppe Chicken
  • How Easy is it to Keep Kraienkoppe Chickens?
  • Special Care and Considerations for Kraienkoppe Chickens
Cackle hatchery
The Best Hatchery to order from: Read reviews here.

Kraienkoppe Chicken Breed Quick Info

Kraienkoppe Chicken Description

Kraienkoppe Type/Size:Standard
Feather Color:Silver or black-breasted red
Leg Type:Clean
Leg Color:Yellow
Skin Color:Yellow
Kraienkoppe Ease of Raising/Keeping:Easy
Kraienkoppe Special Care Needs:No
Is the Kraienkoppe breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken?Rare

Kraienkoppe Use

MeatNo
EggsYes
Dual PurposeNo
Kraienkoppe Temperament:No
Kraienkoppe Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Kraienkoppe Egg Production

Egg ColorWhite
Egg SizeLarge
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year150-180
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksHigh

Kraienkoppe Meat Production

Dressed Weight MaleN/A
Dressed Weight FemaleN/A

Kraienkoppe Climate Tolerance

HeatGood
ColdGood

Kraienkoppe Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size5 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying5 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest SizeN/A

Kraienkoppe Size at Maturity

Male6 lbs.
Female4 lbs.

Origins of the Kraienkoppe Chicken

A beautiful Kraienkoppe hen in a backyard.
Image source: Instagram

These chickens originated on the border between Germany and the Netherlands, hence their two names. They were developed by crossing local chicken breeds with Malays during the 19th century. Later, Silver Duckwing Leghorns were bred into the mix as well.

See also  Can Chickens See Infrared Light? (Explained)

They were originally bred for cock fighting, but this was outlawed, and they had to transition to a new purpose. Due to their striking appearance, they were used as show birds in Germany and the Netherlands in the 1920s.

Today, they remain rare, especially outside of Europe. They are still used as show birds as well as layers. They can be found in the United States but are not recognized as an official breed yet.

Some Things to Know About the Kraienkoppe Chicken

A Kraienkoppe rooster and two Kraienkoppe hens in a chicken coop.
Image source: Instagram

The Kraienkoppe is available in two different colors: silver and black-breasted red. They have a small, walnut-type comb that is not prone to frostbite in the winter.

They exhibit a short, curved, broad head with a short beak. They also have tight-fitting feathers and strong yellow legs.

How Easy is it to Keep Kraienkoppe Chickens?

A big crowing Kraienkoppe rooster in a backyard.
Image source: Instagram

The Kraienkoppe is an active bird that does best in free-range situations. They are excellent foragers.

One thing to be aware of is that males have a very loud crow. This means that they may not be the best breed for you if you live in an urban or suburban area.

Despite their fierce appearance, this breed is generally good-natured. They make good show birds but are not the most cuddly breed out there. If you’re looking for a pet chicken, this may not be the breed for you.

Special Care and Considerations for Kraienkoppe Chickens

Kraienkoppes are a hardy breed with very few health problems.

Overall, they are good layers of large white eggs. They make a hardy, colorful addition to your flock!

See also  How To Keep Neighbors Chickens Out of My Yard? 6 Methods
Kraienkoppe Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

More Breeds

  • Scots Grey Chicken Breed Info
  • Scots Dumpy Chicken Breed Info
  • Old English Pheasant Fowl Chicken Breed Info
  • Muffed Old English Game Chicken Breed Info

Primary Sidebar

Looking for Chicks For Sale?

Or, check out our extensive list of the best hatcheries by state here!

Recent Posts

  • Scots Grey Chicken Breed Info
  • Scots Dumpy Chicken Breed Info
  • Old English Pheasant Fowl Chicken Breed Info
  • Muffed Old English Game Chicken Breed Info
  • Modern Langshan Chicken Breed Info

Categories

  • Blog
  • Breeds
  • Chickens
  • Chicks
  • Eggs
  • Find a Hatchery Near You
  • Find an Avian Vet Near You
  • Find an Egg Farm Near You
  • Guinea Fowl
  • Peafowl

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 Chicken and Chicks Info LLC.