The Schijndelaar trace their roots to the small Dutch village of Schijndel, a community known for producing an impressive number of competitive cyclists over its 700-year history, and one remarkably distinctive poultry breed. (Perhaps two, considering Schijndel sits in the heart of the region that also gave rise to the Brabanter.)

The breed was developed in the late 20th century by local veterinarian Dr. Ruud Kaasenbrood. His goal was to create a unique fowl that combined beauty, productivity, and utility. To achieve this, he drew from several breeds: Araucanas for their blue egg gene, Sumatras for their long, elegant body shape, Dutch Crested Fowl for their crest, Leghorns for their exceptional egg-laying ability, and Brabant fowl for additional breed characteristics. Here is how Dr. Kaasenbrood describes the origins of the Schijndelaar:

About 25 years ago, as a member of the ESKV, I gave a lecture at a member meeting about the doctrine of heredity, trying to explain the principles of the Laws of Mendel and the general principles of hereditary doctrine. As the attendees consisted of amateur breeders who were basically all busy perfecting an existing breed, I made clear the usefulness of heredity in this perfecting. In addition, I indicated that with the necessary knowledge and perseverance it should be possible to breed an entirely new breed, which you could call an ESKV grouse or a Schijndelaar, for example. These ideas received little response during the meeting. But after the meeting, when it became very pleasant under the influence of some alcoholic refreshments, we further elaborated the idea of "Schijndelaar" and a nice prototype was created on the back of a beer mat. This type had, apart from a fairly small crest, few head ornaments, had its long tail about horizontal, and had to lay green eggs.

From that beer-soaked sketch emerged the foundation of the breed we know and admire today!

The white variety of the Schijndelaar was officially recognized in the Netherlands in 2001 and was later accepted in Germany and several other countries. Additional color varieties include black, blue, cuckoo, and chocolate. In recent years, Greenfire Farms introduced the white variety to the United States, helping bring this rare and fascinating breed to a wider audience.

Among modern poultry breeds, the Schijndelaar is one of the most distinctive and eye-catching, combining utility and beauty in a remarkably elegant package. Their brilliant white plumage creates a striking contrast with their dark eyes, red earlobes, and bright yellow legs. Both sexes carry a small crest and a neat pea comb, giving them a refined appearance without the exaggerated features seen in some ornamental breeds. Roosters are particularly impressive, displaying long, flowing sickle feathers and a proud, upright carriage that commands attention in the barnyard.

In terms of temperament, Schijndelaars are known for being active, alert, and intelligent birds. They are enthusiastic foragers that thrive when given access to pasture, where they eagerly spend their days searching for insects and greens. While not typically considered lap chickens (due to their flighty nature), they are generally calm, manageable, and curious around their caretakers. Their hardiness and adaptability make them suitable for a variety of climates, and their combination of attractive appearance, steady egg production, and lively personality make them a lovely choice for any hobbyist! Whether admired for their unique look or valued as productive backyard birds, Schijndelaars offer a wonderful balance of form and function.

The Schijndelaar is known for its striking white plumage, while roosters are especially admired for their long, elegant, flowing sickle feathers. Both roosters and hens should have clean, feather-free yellow legs, a pea comb, red earlobes, and a modest crest.

For a more detailed look at the breed standard, visit the link below! Just a heads up, the page will need to be translated.

https://schijndelaar.webnode.nl/rasstandaard/

We incubate at 99.5°F and 55% humidity. From our Schijndelaar flock, we typically observe 80-90% fertility and an average hatch rate of approximately 75%. Chicks usually hatch right on schedule at day 21, with very few needing an extra day.

When hatching eggs from this breed, chicks should be inspected to ensure they do not have a straight comb. The breed standard calls for a pea comb, which on day of hatch should appear flat and wide with a slight ridge running down the center. As the chicks mature, comb quality can be evaluated more thoroughly. 

Occasionally, some chicks may hatch with gray coloration or gray splotches. These birds generally feather out white as adults and do not need to be culled. The overall quality and merits of each bird should be assessed as they mature. 

We’ve noticed that our flock tends to produce more blue eggs than green, although green eggs do occasionally occur. Most of the eggs lean toward a beautiful blue shade, which has become a farm favorite! 

Import Notes

We imported the Schijndelaar in 2018.