Welcome to the brooder at Brooke’s Acres
Available chickens/chicks and prices can be found here. If there are no pictures unfortunately there aren’t any available. Chicks coming the end of April
THE FLOCKS HAVE BEEN SEPARATED!
2026 Hatching
Appenzeller Barthuhner Black-Red
Unsexed chicks only $15 each
Bielefelder Kennhuhn
(pronounced BEE-LAY-FELDER)
Pullets $20 each
Coss-bred chicks
Unsexed chicks only $8 each
Will lay a variety of shades of green eggs
Breed Information
Appenzeller Barthuhner
Originating in the North-eastern Appenzell canton of Switzerland, the Appenzeller Barthuhner chickens are thought to have developed in the most remote parts of the country where temperatures were much lower during winter. It was a farmer in the region who created the breed to be able to lay large numbers of eggs on little additional feeding whilst being able to withstand the harsh weather conditions hence the rose comb and small beard covered wattles.
Its beard gives the breed its name – Barthuhner literally translates to ‘Bearded Hen’. Unlike most other bearded breeds the Barthuhner have small wattles that should be almost completely hidden by a full beard.
Never very popular in the UK the breed remains under the umbrella of the Rare Poultry Society since the collapse of the joint Spitzhauben and Barthuhner club in 2001. Currently it is believed that only a handful of Appenzeller Barthuhners are in the UK at present (I have been unable to find other keeps of the breed).
Uses: Exhibition. Utility: eggs.
Eggs: 190 – 220 white / cream.
Origin: Switzerland (Appenzell Canton).
Weight: Cock: 5 – 6.5lbs, Hen: 3 – 4lbs.
Colours: Black, Blue, Laced, Black-Red.
Useful to Know: A very active breed so is best suited to a system of free range as it is a superb forager. Unlike the other breed from the Appenzell canton the Barthuhner is not a flighty breed and is fairly calm. I personally find the breed to be friendly if handled regularly.
Only rooster issue I’ve ever had is mine doesn’t like new footwear and takes a few days to get used to new boots.
Bielefelder Kennhuhn
The Bielefelder breed has been around since the 1970s. It was then that German chicken breeder, Gerd Roth, created them by combining breeds such as the New Hampshire, Wyandotte, Cuckoo Malines, and Amrock. The Bielefelder arrived in the United States in 2011 and has since gained great popularity.
These birds offer magnificent color with red combs, earlobes, and wattles. Their feather coloring includes orange, gray, black, white, and brown, with pink tinges, which help them blend into their surroundings as a kind of camouflage. And coloring plays a significant role, even in chicks.
They are auto-sexing, which means you can tell the males and females apart as soon as they hatch. Then, as they mature, their complex, spotted patterns emerge, helping them blend into the landscape to avoid predators.
Known as gentle giants with a docile disposition, Bielefelders often seek human companionship and are easy to raise. You’ll find that the roosters are willing to cuddle with their humans but will fight off predators to keep their ladies safe just as quickly.
They’re plump and round, revered as dual-purpose birds, which means you can raise them for both eggs and meat. They tolerate heat and cold well and aren’t likely to slow egg production when the temperatures drop.
Uses: Exhibition, meat, eggs.
Eggs: 220 – 280+ large brown to dark brown.
Origin: Germany.
Weight: Cock: 10 to 12 lbs, Hen: 8 to 9.5 lbs.
Brooke's Acres 