Lakenvelder Chicken - A very old and extremely beautiful breed
The Lakenvelder chicken, also called Lakenfelder, developed in the early 19th century near the border of Germany and the Netherlands.
The word "Lakenvelder" translated from Dutch means "White spread over a black field," which is fitting, as the birds are white with a black neck and tail.
The origins of the Lakenvelder chicken are unclear. Although the breed is considered Dutch, there is serious debate surrounding its exact origin. This explains why its history is distinctly unique compared to other chicken breeds, and reveals an ancient lineage.
The breed appears to have been developed in the southern Netherlands area and just across the border into Germany.
In fact, two distinct historical paths are proposed for the origins of this chicken.
As the Lakenvelder chicken is documented as appearing in the Netherlands in 1927, scholars generally assume that this is the first mention of the chicken and therefore the origin of the chicken.
Supporting this argument is the idea that the chicken is named after the village of Lakerveld, located in the municipality of Zederik, South Holland.
Even with the name of this geographical region lending much credibility to the theory that the chicken was born and raised there, an alternative theory still prevails.
Theorists also hypothesize that the chicken could have originated in Germany, coming from the Dielingen region.
This theory still holds up today, as the Lakenvelder appears to be biologically similar to a breed that originated there.
The breed first appeared in poultry shows in 1835 in West Hanover, and by 1860 it was quite well-known and bred in Westphalia and the northern part of the Rhine province.
Lakenvelder chickens were first exhibited in England in 1902, shortly after their arrival in that country.
Although the breed arrived in America around 1900, it was not admitted to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection until 1939.
The breed became very popular and for a long time was raised for egg production, until the arrival of more productive breeds.
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