Lakervelt is a village near Utrecht, in the east of The Netherlands. It is also the place of origin of Lakenvelder cattle, which have a similar black and white colour pattern. The area where the chicken breed developed extended over the border to the Nordrhein-Westfalen region of Germany, where the breed name is Lakenfelder. These distinctively patterned chickens were recorded as far back as 1727. They were not imported to the UK until 1901 and then first exhibited at the 1902 Shrewsbury Show. Their popularity has been limited because very few birds have the desired completely black neck and tail with a white body.
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Upright, bold and sprightly.
Type: Body moderately long, fairly wide at the shoulders and narrowing slightly to the root of the tail. Full and round breast. Broad and apparently short back. Medium long wings, tucked well up, the bows and tips covered by the neck and saddle hackles. Long and full tail, the sickles carried at an angle of 45 degrees, but avoiding ‘squirrel' carriage.
Head: Skull short and fine. Beak strong and well curved. Eyes large, bright and prominent. Comb single, erect, evenly serrated, of medium size, and following the contour of the skull. Face smooth and of fine texture. Earlobes small and of almond shape. Wattles of medium length, well rounded at the base.
Neck: Of medium length and furnished with long hackle feathers flowing well on the shoulders.
Legs and feet: Of medium length. Thighs well apart. Shanks fine and round, free of feathers. Toes, four, strong and well spread.
Female
The general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences. (Note: The comb is carried erect, and not drooping.)
BANTAM
Lakenvelder bantams should follow the large fowl standard.
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Upright, bold and sprightly.
Type: Body moderately long, fairly wide at the shoulders and narrowing slightly to the root of the tail. Full and round breast. Broad and apparently short back. Medium long wings, tucked well up, the bows and tips covered by the neck and saddle hackles. Long and full tail, the sickles carried at an angle of 45 degrees, but avoiding ‘squirrel' carriage.
Head: Skull short and fine. Beak strong and well curved. Eyes large, bright and prominent. Comb single, erect, evenly serrated, of medium size, and following the contour of the skull. Face smooth and of fine texture. Earlobes small and of almond shape. Wattles of medium length, well rounded at the base.
Neck: Of medium length and furnished with long hackle feathers flowing well on the shoulders.
Legs and feet: Of medium length. Thighs well apart. Shanks fine and round, free of feathers. Toes, four, strong and well spread.
Female
The general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences. (Note: The comb is carried erect, and not drooping.)
BANTAM
Lakenvelder bantams should follow the large fowl standard.
Please contact the breed registrar for more information - [email protected]