Guide to Hatching Barnevelder Chickens at Home for Beginners

Origin and History of Barnevelder Chickens

Like many chicken breeds, Barnevelders first emerged in the Dutch town after which they would later take their name. Local Dutch farmers cultivated the breed by crossing imported Asian chickens with native Dutch landrace fowl. The result was a productive dual purpose chicken with plenty of rich brown eggs and ample meat on the bone - both crucial provisions for farming families in the days before industrial agriculture. By the 1920s, Barnevelders began making their way from the Netherlands to Great Britain and North America, where they increased in popularity over subsequent decades thanks to their eye-catching plumage and reputations as reliable egg layers.

Breed Standards and Varieties

In appearance, Barnevelders are medium-sized chickens with lush black feathers ending in a warm chestnut tipping. Their elegant greenish-brown eggs lead to local Dutch nicknaming them “brown eggers.” Four color variations of the Barnevelder breed exist and are recognized by international breed standards. The double laced black neck variety features a black base interwoven with white lacing, as well as metallic black neck feathers ending in an eye-catching double white stripe. Meanwhile, the single laced black neck type displays a black base with single white stripes along each feather shaft. You may also come across autosexing or “Columbian” Barnevelders, where males and females display distinctly different color patterns. Finally, “blue” Barnevelders feature gray feather shafts with black patterning.

Temperament and Behavior

Barnevelders are known for being calm, friendly chickens equally at home in small backyard coops as on sprawling free-range small farms. They become affectionate pets when handled frequently by their keepers. Generally avoiding conflict, Barnevelders integrate smoothly into existing flocks while being amicable barnyard companions for other livestock and pets. When provided ample space to roam, they are excellent foragers. Their laidback personalities and hardiness allow them to tolerate confinement or cold winter weather better than other breeds as well. If you’re seeking a breed that’s playful around kids, quietly productive, and visually stunning, few check more boxes than the Barnevelder.

Hatching Barnevelder Eggs in an Incubator

Thanks to their rising popularity with sustainable farmers and homesteaders, it’s relatively easy to source Barnevelder hatching eggs from local breeders. If you want to skip the wait of ordering stock online, connecting with nearby enthusiasts is often the fastest way to get your flock started - hatching chicks at home can take as little as three weeks! Once you’ve acquired fertilized Barnevelder eggs, the key steps for a sucessful hatch are straightforward.

Choose an Incubator

Barnevelder hatching eggs require steady, controlled conditions in order to develop properly and hatch on schedule. While it's possible to hatch eggs under broody hens, incubators offer reliability for the best results. Choose an incubator design that allows adjustment of both temperature and humidity levels. Still air cabinet-style incubators or tabletop circulation models both work well. Make sure to sanitize the incubator interior thoroughly before each hatch according to manufacturer guidelines.

Calibrate Temperature and Humidity Levels

During the first 18 days of development (the incubation phase), Barnevelder eggs require a consistent 99.5°F temperature and approximately 55% relative humidity. Over the final 3 days (when chicks hatch), increase humidity to around 70%. Measure conditions with a separate thermometer/hygrometer and double check readings against your incubator’s controls. Make any necessary adjustments daily to maintain ideal levels. Improper temperatures by just a few degrees can negatively impact hatch rates.

Turn Eggs and Monitor Development

From days 1-18 of incubation, gently turn Barnevelder hatching eggs at least 3 times per day to prevent embryo adhesion. Mark eggs with an X on one side and O on the other to track turns. Candling the eggs once weekly in a dark room illuminates inner development when held up to a bright light. Look for a network of blood vessels radiating from a dark center. Discard any eggs appearing empty, malformed or detached from their membranes.

Prepare for Hatching

Once day 19 arrives, cease turning the Barnevelder eggs and increase humidity levels. The chicks will pip and hatch over the next 72 hours. Make sure the incubator’s hatching tray allows enough clearance for newly hatched chicks until you transfer them to a brooder setup. Never open the incubator during the hatching phase, as deviations in temperature or humidity can cause fatalities at this fragile stage.

Transfer Chicks to the Brooder

Ahead of time, prepare a draft-free brooder area with clean litter bedding, food and water. Mount a heat lamp to maintain 95°F temperature the first week. Once hatched, leave chicks in the incubator until fully dry before moving the entire batch to the brooder (where they help keep each other warm). Adjust brooder heat in subsequent days as feathers develop. Your adorable flock of fuzzy Barnevelder chicks will be hopping around the coop before you know it!

Common Issues When Hatching Barnevelders

While incubating and hatching Barnevelder eggs is usually straightforward, first-timers often encounter some common hurdles. Troubleshooting any problems quickly improves your odds of getting healthy chicks.

Fertility Problems

If few of your Barnevelder eggs hatch, low fertility may be the culprit. Always source hatching eggs from active, healthy flocks less than a year old where roosters run among the hens. Store eggs 1 week or less and incubate ASAP for highest viability rates. Let hens brood their own clutches if possible.

Temperature Inconsistencies

Erratic incubator temperatures or conditions too far above/below 99.5° usually leads to disappointment down the line. Monitor and adjust settings daily. Choose an incubator model with reliable thermostat technology and failsafe alarms. When in doubt, always verify readings with a second thermometer.

Insufficient Humidity

Low humidity causes membranes and chicks to stick inside their shells rather than hatch. Increase to prescribed levels starting on day 19 and resist opening the incubator. Refill water trays as needed and use an incubator with built-in hygrometer to avoid issues.

Improper Egg Turning

Neglecting to turn Barnevelder hatching eggs at least 3 times daily through day 18 can decrease hatch rates. Set reminders and carefully turn eggs upright an odd number of times until the expected hatch window arrives. Track rotations to ensure the entire clutch gets adequate movement.

Raising Your Barnevelder Chicks

Once you’ve sucessfully incubated and hatched your clutch of Barnevelder peeps, raising them into adulthood is very rewarding. Give special attention to their first 2 months in the brooder and transition into the main coop.

Shelter and Feed

House chicks in a predator-proof brooder with clean litter, starter feed and fresh water for 4-8 weeks before transitioning outside to pasture. Deep litter over soil allows natural foraging behavior. Provide layer feed and oyster shells once pullets begin laying eggs around 6 months old.

Health and Biosecurity

Isolate new chicks from mature flock to avoid disease transmission in both directions. Follow key principles of backyard biosecurity by restricting shared equipment use between broods, washing hands before and after contact, and monitoring for illness daily. Consult your veterinarian about appropriate vaccines.

Socialization and Enrichment

Handle chicks gently but regularly so they become accustomed to their caretakers. Introduce tame adult hens as mentors to demonstrate natural behavior. Offer roosts, dust baths, vegetation and forage to encourage the exploratory instincts of this active breed. Reward inquisitive chicks with treats!

Bringing a new generation of Barnevelders to life via incubating fertile eggs connects you profoundly with these charming chickens’ origins in rural Holland. Then watching peeps transform into friendly, industrious members of your homestead leaves a lasting impression. As long as you follow key guidelines for hatching and rearing, the offspring of your Barnevelder flock will return the rewards for years to come as entertaining pets and producers of delicious brown eggs!

FAQs

What is the ideal temperature for incubating Barnevelder eggs?

Barnevelder eggs should be incubated at a steady 99.5°F during the first 18 days, with a relative humidity of around 55%. Some fluctuation by a degree or so is acceptable, but drastic or prolonged high/low temperatures can impact hatch rates.

How often should I turn Barnevelder hatching eggs?

From days 1-18 of incubation, Barnevelder eggs should be gently turned by hand at least 3 times per day. This prevents embryos from sticking to one side. Mark eggs with X / O to track number of turns for the entire clutch.

At what age do Barnevelder chickens start laying eggs?

Like most chicken breeds, Barnevelder hens usually begin laying eggs around 6 months of age. Ensure pullets are receiving proper nutrition through quality layer feed so they can reach their egg-laying potential.

What is the brooder temperature for newly hatched chicks?

Baby Barnevelder chicks do best at around 95°F during their first week post-hatch. The brooder area should be draft-free with clean litter for comfort. Slowly reduce supplemental heat as feathers develop so chicks can regulate body temperature.