Lakenvelders (or Lakenfelders)
A bantam Lakenvelder male
Photo courtesy of Frances Bassom
The Dutch name of this breed is often said to mean "a shadow on a sheet." I have been contacted by a Dutchman who believes that the birds were named after the village of Lakenvelt. He mentions that there are also breeds of cattle and goats which have the black head and tail and are also known as Lakenvelders. Although it carries a Dutch name, the breed is considered to have been developed in the Westfalen area of Germany. In the Netherlands and the UK there appear to be both bantam and standard forms, and a Blue variety has been developed, at least in the UK.
The hens lay white eggs and are non-setters. Males weigh 5 to6 pounds and females from 3 to 4.5 pounds. With their strongly contrasting colors, these birds are quite striking when at range on a grassy area.
Lakenvelder Links:
Lakenvelder bantams at South Yeo Farm East
Lakenvelders are available at Durham Hens.
A Lakenvelder cockerel and pullet
Photo courtesy of Frances Bassom
Another pair of Lakenvelders
Photos courtesy of Owen Goodfellow
A Blue Lakenvelder bantam cockerel
Photo courtesy of Frances Bassom
A Lakenvelder bantam female
Photo courtesy of Robert Stephenson
A male Lakenvelder
Photo courtesy of Dennis Hawkins of PBCPFA
Lakenvelder bantam pair
Photos courtesy of John W. Blehm
"Bluey" and "Peachy," a couple of Golden Lakenvelder females
Photos courtesy of Bethany
A pair of Lakenvelders from the UK
Photos courtesy of Robert Stephenson
"Malakin" is a twelve-year-old Lakenvelder hen
Photo courtesy of Chris Dunbar
A flock of Gold Lakenvelders
Photo courtesy of Dr. Albert McGraw
Golden Lakenvelder pullets
Photos courtesy of Dani Hoenemier
A Lakenvelder flock roosting
Photo courtesy of Tommy Green
Lakenvelder chicks
Photo courtesy of Pam Marshall
The same chicks from above
Photo courtesy of Pam Marshall
Lakenvelder chicks
Photo courtesy of Kelly Gwen
Lakenvelder bantam chicks
Photo courtesy of John W. Blehm
Another Lakenvelder chick
Photo courtesy of Hristo Lukanov
2 shots of a Lakenvelder chick, altho' this one has more brown than
usual
Photos courtesy of Darcie
Gold Lakenvelder chicks at 2 and 3 weeks
Photos courtesy of Jessica Blanks
or
Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments