The Bielefelder is a large German auto-sexing breed: brown eggs, sex-linked at hatch, calm temperament, exceptional cold hardiness. A 'fewer breeds, more output' choice for backyard keepers. FastPoultry takes free quote requests for Bielefelder as hatching eggs, day-old chicks, and started pullets and matches each one with NPIP-certified breeders within 1 business day.
| Origin | Bielefeld, Germany - 1970s |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | Watch (US) |
| Adult weight | Roosters 10 lb, Hens 8 lb |
| Size class | Standard |
| Eggs per year | ~200 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Broodiness | Medium |
| Cold hardiness | Excellent |
| Heat tolerance | Good |
| Noise level | Quiet |
| Flight tendency | Calm/won't fly |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
Developed by Gerd Roth in Bielefeld, Germany, starting in 1973. He combined Cuckoo Malines, Welsumer, Amrock, and New Hampshire to create an auto-sexing dual-purpose breed. Recognized in Germany 1976. Arrived in the US in the 2010s and rapidly gained popularity among small-flock owners for its size + auto-sexing + calm personality combination. Not yet APA-recognized.
Best for: family flock, cold climates, auto-sex, meat
| Indoor coop space | 5 sq ft per bird |
|---|---|
| Run space | 14 sq ft per bird |
| Roost bar | 12 in per bird |
Space: Large heavy birds - 4-foot fencing easily contains them.
Feeding: Standard 16% layer. Convert grain to meat efficiently.
Health: Sturdy heritage breed. Single comb is mildly cold-vulnerable in extreme winters.
Climate: Zones 3-7. Bred for cold German winters.
You can request Bielefelder through FastPoultry, which matches buyer requests with breeders. Choose from 3 request pages for hatching eggs, day-old chicks, and started pullets, then tell us your quantity, preferred age, and delivery state in the form on this page. Matched breeder options arrive within 1 business day, and you arrange payment, pickup, or shipping directly with the breeder you choose.
Prices for Bielefelder are set by each breeder and change with season, line quality, age, and quantity, so FastPoultry does not publish a fixed price. Submitting a request is free. Matched breeders reply with current pricing, and you should ask whether the quote includes boxing, shipping, and vaccinations before you pay the breeder directly.
A Bielefelder hen lays roughly 200 eggs a year, and the eggs are large and brown. Broodiness is rated medium. Real production depends on strain, hen age, season, and daylight, so ask breeders about the laying record of their parent stock. The Bielefelder breed profile on this page lists egg color, size, and laying details alongside care and space notes.
Yes. The Bielefelder is rated beginner friendly. Temperament: calm, docile, gentle, family-friendly; cold hardiness: excellent; heat tolerance: good; noise level: quiet. It is best for family flock, cold climates, auto-sex, and meat. Check local rules on roosters and flock size before you buy.
The USDA NPIP state importation table (May 20, 2026) lists VS Form 9-3 as required for shipments into 44 of 50 states, and 31 states list a permit, approval number, or other entry requirement, so check your state's location page before you order. VS Form 9-3 is the NPIP report of sales that the shipping breeder completes, and some states add a permit number, a Pullorum-Typhoid or avian influenza clean-flock rule, or a health certificate. FastPoultry does not ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands through standard requests.
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