Gelderse
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fun Fact
The Gelderse plumage pattern — salmon-partridge in hens — is one of the most complex and genetically instructive in all of poultry genetics. Dutch geneticists in the early 20th century used Gelderse crossbreeding experiments to map multiple plumage colour genes simultaneously, contributing to the foundation of modern avian genetics.
A Dutch dual-purpose landrace from the Gelderland province in the eastern Netherlands, one of several distinctly Dutch farmyard breeds recognised by the EE Europastandard. The Gelderse is a medium-large, active bird with characteristic salmon-partridge plumage — hens carry warm salmon-buff breast with pencilled wings, while cocks have richly coloured red-orange hackle and saddle. A traditional farmyard bird that supplied eggs and table birds to the towns of Gelderland for centuries, the Gelderse is now a conservation breed maintained by Dutch breeders affiliated with the Dutch poultry fancy.
🏷️ Breed
Gelderse (Guelders Fowl)
💭 Temperament
Calm, active, good forager, hardy, adaptable
📏 Size
Large (2.7-3.6 kg)
⏳ Lifespan
5-8 years
🎨 Colors
Hens: salmon breast with pencilled partridge wings; Cocks: orange-red with black tail
🌍 Origin
Netherlands — Gelderland province; traditional Dutch farmyard landrace; EE recognised
🏠 Habitat
Free-range or enclosed run; adapted to the river-delta landscape of eastern Netherlands
🍽️ Diet
Layer pellets; good forager on Dutch polderland and farmland
🎯 Purpose
Dual Purpose
🥚 Egg Colour
Tinted
👑 Comb Type
Single
🏅 EE Class
Large Fowl