BIELEFELDER

This is the uber chicken: autosexing, beautiful, friendly, and it lays gorgeous jumbo eggs! Bielefelders are a somewhat new breed to the chicken world. Developed in the 1970s by Gerd Roth in the town of Bielefeld from multiple other breeds (Amrocks, Malines, Rhode Island Reds, and New Hampshires), they are considered an excellent dual-purpose breed for their wonderful egg-laying ability and great meat quality. They are easy to raise and handle as well. Topping out at nine-plus pounds, they make a great table bird.

• Origin: Germany
• Purpose: Eggs, meat, pet
• Climate: Cold hardy
• Temperament: Docile, friendly
• Average weight: 6.5 to 9-plus pounds
• Egg color: Brown
• Egg size: Large
• Egg production: About 230 per year
• Feather color: Multicolor: brown, black, cream, white
• Comb type: Single