Bergische Kräher

The Bergische Kräher is an old long-crowing chicken from the Bergisches Land of western Germany, historically kept as a farm fowl and local crowing bird. Its name means Bergisch crower, and the male's drawn-out, descending crow is the feature that separates it from ordinary utility chickens. Large fowl are upright and active, with strong legs, a fairly long body, and dark plumage carrying gold-brown markings in the traditional form. It is one of Germany's rare poultry breeds and is maintained mostly by specialist breeders rather than commercial hatcheries.

Keeping Bergische Kräher is much like keeping other hardy country chickens, but the crow matters. Roosters are loud and prolonged, so rural housing and considerate placement are important. They do best with space to range, secure night quarters, and feed that supports moderate egg production without pushing birds like a hybrid layer. Breeding programs should select for sound body type, fertility, and the characteristic crow; small populations benefit from careful exchange of unrelated stock and records. For buyers, the main questions are whether the line truly carries the long-crowing trait and whether local rules and neighbors can tolerate the sound.

Colors: Barred, Birchen, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Gold, Gold Laced, Laced, Lavender, Mille Fleur, Mottled, Partridge, Penciled, Porcelain, Red, Silver, Silver Laced, Spangled, Splash, Wheaten, White