Westfälische Rotbrüst
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fait Amusant
The Münsterland is Germany's horse country — stud farms dot the landscape breeding Hanoverians and Westphalian warmbloods. The Westfälische Rotbrüst was the chicken equivalent of the carefully bred horses that grazed the same paddocks — a regional breed where colour and conformation were equally valued.
A critically rare German dual-purpose breed from Westphalia, named for its distinctive red-breasted plumage. Developed in the early 20th century, the Westfälische Rotbrüst is a medium-large bird with a single comb and clean legs. Its colouration is unique among German farm breeds: the body is predominantly white or light grey, but the breast is a warm russet-red, creating a two-tone effect that makes the breed instantly recognisable. It was developed by Westphalian farmers who wanted a hardy, productive chicken well-suited to the mixed farming landscape of the Münsterland region. Like many German regional breeds, the Westfälische Rotbrüst crashed after 1950 and was nearly lost. A handful of Westphalian breeders reconstructed the breed and maintain the tiny surviving population. Recognised by the EE Europastandard and BDRG.
🏷️ Race
Westfälische Rotbrüst
💭 Tempérament
Calm, docile, hardy, good forager, gentle
📏 Taille
Large (2.7-3.6 kg)
⏳ Espérance de vie
5-8 years
🎨 Couleurs
White-grey body with russet-red breast (unique two-tone colouration)
🌍 Origine
Germany — Westphalia (Münsterland region); developed early 20th century
🏠 Habitat
Free-range or enclosed run; adapted to mild Münsterland conditions
🍽️ Alimentation
Layer pellets; effective forager on Westphalian pasture and farmland
🎯 Usage
Dual Purpose
🥚 Couleur des œufs
Tinted
👑 Type de crête
Single
🏅 Classe EE
Large Fowl