Kraienkoppes

George McLaughlin of Oklahoma has lost his heart to Kraienkoppes. He wrote a charming account of his experiences in the June 2007 issue of the SPPA Bulletin. He took this beautiful picture of one of his hens and her chicks.

This hardy breed is alert to dangers in the environment. George tells of an episode in which all his birds took shelter when a hawk appeared, almost too far away for him even to see.

Kraienkoppes originated in the Bentheim area on both sides of the Dutch/German border, from Pheasant Malay stock. They were first shown in Germany in 1925 and are recognized in the German Standard. They are not recognized by the American Poultry Association. Bantams are recognized by the American Bantam Association, but are so rare neither George nor I has ever heard of anyone who has them. If you do, or know of someone who does, please contact me!

Although their ancestry is in fighting, the roosters are not aggressive. George has seen one get beat up by a hen who was protecting her chicks, however. He recounts that, "She beat him roundly, and then finished by doing a little two-step and crowing!"

Thanks for sharing your knowledge of this breed with us, George.