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Vorwerk Chicken Breed Info

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

The Vorwerk chicken is a rare breed that was almost lost after World War II. They are excellent foragers and do well in farmyards and smaller areas.

A beautiful Vorwerk Chicken standing in a backyard.

Hens lay a good number of tinted, medium-sized eggs and continue to lay through the winter. They can live for five to ten years if cared for properly.

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

Vorwerk Chicken Description

Vorwerk Type/Size:Standard
Feather Color:Black and Gold
Leg Type:Clean
Leg Color:Slate Blue
Skin Color:White
Vorwerk Ease of Raising/Keeping:Easy
Vorwerk Special Care Needs:Yes
Is the Vorwerk breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken?Rare

Vorwerk Use

MeatYes
EggsYes
Dual PurposeYes
Vorwerk Temperament:Friendly, tame, active
Vorwerk Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Vorwerk Egg Production

Egg ColorTinted
Egg SizeMedium
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year190
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksLow

Vorwerk Meat Production

Dressed Weight Male4.25 lbs
Dressed Weight Female3.5 lbs

Vorwerk Climate Tolerance

HeatGood
ColdGood

Vorwerk Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size8 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying8 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size7-8 Months

Vorwerk Size at Maturity

Male6 lbs
Female5 lbs

Origins of Vorwerk Chicken

A beautiful golden Vorwerk Chicken wandering in a backyard.

The Vorwerk chicken originated in Hamburg, Germany, around 1900. It was developed by the German breeder Oskar Vorwerk, who developed them as utility birds. They were first shown in 1912 and are thought to have resulted from crossing Lakenvelders, Orpingtons, Ramelslohers, and Andalusians.

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They almost went extinct after World War II, but made a comeback later in the 20th century. However, they remain rare today, especially outside of Germany.

Some Things to Know About Vorwerk Chicken

A Vorwerk rooster and a Vorwerk Chicken hen wandering in a backyard.

This breed is powerful and compact, with broad backs and a deep, rounded breast. Their heads are broad and well feathered, with a medium size serrated comb, medium-length wattles, and small white earlobes.

Their plumage is soft and glossy, and they have slate-blue legs and four toes. There is also a bantam version of this breed. They are only found in one color: black belted markings on a buff-colored body. This coloring is only complete after the third molt.

How Easy is it to Keep Vorwerk Chickens?

Three Vorwerk Chickens standing near a red chicken feeder.

The Vorwerk chicken is an excellent forager and excels as a homestead or backyard chicken. They are an alert, active breed and are good fliers, so they require fencing. They can fly up to six feet, so fencing should be at least this height.

They are easy to tame and very friendly. This makes them excellent pets and show birds. The males are tolerant of each other, so you can have more than one rooster, which is quite rare.

They are sturdy, adaptable, and can handle any climate. They are content with either free-ranging or being confined.

Special Care and Considerations for Vorwerk Chickens

As with all chickens with a large single comb and wattles, Vorwerks are at risk for developing frostbite in the winter. You can use vaseline to help protect their comb and wattles from freezing in low temperatures.

See also  Why Are My Chickens Laying Small Eggs? 4 Common Reasons
Vorwerk Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

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