This breed began in the district of Barneveld, Holland, and stock was imported into Britain about 1921. Their brown eggs were the chief attractions. At first, the birds were very mixed for markings, some being double laced, others single, while the majority followed a partridge or ‘peppered’ pattern.
Two varieties were eventually standardized, the double laced and partridge. The double laced became much more popular and is still so today. A number of other colours are now also standardized. While Barnevelder might be regarded as a rare breed, they are still sought after for their docile nature, beautiful patterns & brown eggs. The date that Barnevelder were originally imported to Australia is unable to be determined. Whilst the quality available in Australia isn’t nearly up to interstate quality when compared with Dutch and UK/US media, we have some loyal Aussies dedicated to strive for creating quality show Barnevelder with dual-purpose qualities.
Gordon Broadhurst’s double laced hen in the UK. Photo by Mick Corrigan.
Caitlyn Bonacker’s double laced pullet in VIC, Aus.
In Australia, Partridge is not seen in the public eye anymore, with Double Laced being the primary colour kept.
Silver Double Laced was developed by Adam Fontana in VIC, as they were never imported to Australia. Adam used Double Laced x Silver Pencilled Wyandotte to achieve the coloration, and is well sought after as backyard layers for their beautiful pattern.
Adam’s website can be seen here, with the numerous colour variations he is actively developing https://fontanaheritagepoultry.com.au/barnevelder-varieties
Currently as of 2026, Barnevelder in both bantam and standard are available to be exhibited at shows in the following varieties:
-Double Laced (The APS needs updating for the males to be shown, as most males in AUS are of the black-breasted variety, which in turn breeds better daughters)
-Partridge (not seen often in Australia due to requiring cockerel and pullet breeding pens to be seperated)
-Black
-Silver (the APS needs updating to accommodate the Dutch SDL Barnevelder standard)
Origins of the Barnevelder
The breed came about when local Dutch farmyard fowl were crossed with Asiatic birds that arrived in Europe around the 1850s. The size increase and additional brown egg laying trait was established, and the birds also laid during winter when egg prices were highest.
The Croad Langshan, Brahma and Cochin are said to have been readily used in the creation of the Barnevelder.
The shape and type of the modern Barnevelder is not dissimilar to that of the Croad Langshan. We often see genetic throwbacks to the Asiatic breeds, with the occasional stray feather on the shanks or in between the toes.
During the early days, Barnevelder were in type; somewhere between a Croad and a Wyandotte, with many shades of brown and a motley of non-conformed pattern types. According to an article in the magazine ‘Avicultura’ in January 1899, the ‘American Utility Fowl’ were also used in the matings early on; these birds looked somewhat like a single-comb golden laced Wyandotte, and it is remarked that they lay a reddish-brown egg. It is likely that the first hen to lay dark brown eggs emerged by accident, and the brown eggshell bloom was then selectively bred for. In 1911 Barnevelder made their first appearance at an agricultural show in The Hague; at the time, the birds’ colour was not important as long as they produced large brown eggs- brown eggs were considered to stay fresher for longer – which makes some sense as the light cannot penetrate the eggs as easily as a light-coloured shell. Dr. Bert Mombarg’s book ‘Caring for Chickens’ a quote from poultry expert Muijs in 1914 states:
“The so called Barnevelder chicken can best be compared to a mongrel dog; as among them one finds birds of all descriptions, including single combs, rosecombs, yellow blue, black and green-ish coloured leg, clean and feathered legs and no common feather pattern and colour can be identified.”
Van Gink – Laced Barnevelder – 1920 – the plumage of the cock bird is also laced.
By 1921, the first standard of the Barnevelder was developed, and in 1923 the ‘double laced’ Barnevelder was admitted to the Dutch Poultry Club as a breed.