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COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany.

CATEGORY: Soft feather

EGG COLOUR: White (Non-Sitters).

HISTORY

The Rheinlander was developed from an ancient, unimproved country fowl breed that had been around for centuries in the German Eiffel district. During more or less the same period, the Alsatian Fowl came about in the Alsace. The breeds are very similar and it is not clear which breed has the oldest rights. Due to being crossed with other old country fowl breeds, both breeds have developed into productive, healthy and strong layers. At the beginning of the last century, they become recognized. The Rheinlander chicken comes from Germany. This is a medium breed with dual purpose potentials; sporting a deep chest with wide back creating a rectangular physical structure. Mainly an exhibition breed today but originally prized for egg-laying. This German breed was originated in the 1890s by a Dr Hans Rudolf von Langen. He crossed Italian chickens with birds from the neighbourhood of Eifel, Germany. In 1908, these new Rheinlander chickens won the first German egg-laying competition. They lay a 55 gram white egg and the hen will produce around 200 eggs in her first year. Perfected in several colours, black with green sheen is most common and most popular with slate blue to black legs complimenting, and deep brown eyes. The Rheinlander is an elegant and showy breed; the roosters with a plenteous spray of curved tail feathers carried high and hens with a full body lending its self to their maintained reputation as good layers. The Bantam variety was established in 1921.

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