Bielefelders?

[Tom Sturdivant]

Does anyone out therer have experience with Bieleflders or know of a breeder in the U.S.?
My chicken encyclopedia makes this out to be a great breed in every aspect.

 

[stoneunhenged]

Yes, I've seen them and they're impressive birds. Very large with bright yellow legs, they have the legbar feather color pattern that makes them auto-sexing, and they lay large dark brown eggs (about a 4 on the marans egg color chart). They are a calm breed. The ultimate in German chicken engineering.

 

[Ducks and Banny hens]

Isn't Gold Legbar another name for Crele?

 

[GaryDean26]

I am still confused on the term Crele. Several people have corrected me in the way I have it defined. The corrections have not been consistent which adds to the confusion, but I think that I might be getting close to the having this right now.

My understanding is that Crele is a bird with a Partridge primary color pattern (eb/eb) with sex-linked barring (B/B, B/+). Examples are found in the Penedesenca and Old English Game breeds. The females are a lightly barred brown bird with a gold hackle. Males are a white double barred bird with red shoulders and saddle feathers.

The Gold Legbar hens have the salmon colored breast feathers, so I don't think it would be considered a true Crele. I however have seen Crele used by people to describe about every breed with a black breasted red rooster (eWh, e+, eb, Er) regardless of whether the males are single barred (B/b+) or double barred (B/B).

 

[somadlyinlove]

I can't help you with the definition but for reference here are my hatchery OEGB creles. Breeder's creles will look sharper more black less grey

 

[GaryDean26]

These look correct to me. Very Pretty birds too. Thanks for sharing.

A single barred male will have more black less grey, but only double barred birds will breed true.

 

[johnandashley]

Hello all. I just received two bielefelder Roos, and they are so cute

 

[johnandashley]

 

[Peckar]

I know someone in WA who got chicks and will start breeding more soon.

 

[Bine]

Here Bielefeld are often recommended as a beginner-chicken. They have a very respectable egg production, even in the second or third year. They are quiet, very friendly and socially, even the big roosters. They are okay with spending most of the time in a run and happy to share the garden with children or other friendly pets.
Because of the size it can not fly and are not particularly fast, so they need special protection from predators. In our climate they are considered healthy.



Here is a Bielefelder Thread for more information and contact to owner/breeders