Drenthe Fowl

The Drenthe fowl is the English name for the Drents Hoen or Drentse Hoen, an old Dutch chicken from the province of Drenthe. It is a light, active landrace type rather than a heavy meat bird, with clean legs, a fairly close-feathered body, and a wide range of traditional color patterns. Partridge, silver, cuckoo, black, white, and other varieties may be encountered depending on country and breeder. The breed reflects farmyard poultry that had to forage well in a northern European climate.

In human care, Drenthe fowl are usually maintained by rare-breed keepers, smallholders, and exhibitors who appreciate alert birds that make good use of range. They lay white eggs in modest to useful numbers and are better evaluated as hardy heritage layers than as fast-growing table chickens. Secure fencing or covered runs may be needed because light Dutch breeds can be lively and capable flyers. Preservation breeding emphasizes correct type, vigor, and keeping distinct color varieties from being mixed carelessly.

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