BD chicken
In the past, organic chickens were still created from conventional parent animals that were fed organic food and were raised in accordance with organic standards. Andreas and others like him did not think that was right and he decided to combine old breeds in a breeding program to gain genetic diversity and thus breed his own BD chicken. He was able to sell the breeds at the Hagheweyde estate in Warmond, where Warmonderhof pigs were previously housed.
Goals
The 1985 meeting determined the breeding goals, especially good organic laying hens. That wasn't the case yet, the idea was to breed two strains and have some requirements in terms of feed, hatchability, egg color and quality, health and vitality (outdoor chicken). Double-purpose chickens that can maintain themselves. A few years later, we received advice from Prof. Dr. Maarten Frankenhuis, then director of the Poultry Health Service in Doorn. That gave breeding a good boost.
Kraaybeekerhof
In 1990, Rien van den Berg received hatching eggs from Andreas' Hagheweyders. That later turned out to have been a good move by Andreas when dogs and foxes decimated the tribe at Kraaybeekerhof. Rien had released the chickens at various locations in the immediate vicinity, including De Reciprocity, and elsewhere in the Netherlands. With the help of these animals, the Hagheweyder tribe was rebuilt.
Genetic diversity
In 2015, the breeding objectives will be updated. And genetic diversity is constantly being considered when crossing other breeds and when selecting breeding animals. Over the years, like Andreas, there has been a lot of experimentation with animals of different breeds. The crossing of Marans has led to a number of black-copper-necked animals, and variants thereof.
The sequel
An initiative for the sequel to this will take place in August 2021 at De Braamstruik farm, where Hans Meijer, Poppe Braam, Willem van Wijk, and other stakeholders talk about the desired properties of the Hagheweyder, which is now achieving good results. In October, there will be a rooster meat tasting on the Braamstruik with more than 20 participants, an introduction by Poppe Braam and an explanation by Hans Meijer and Hubert Cremer from Biomühle who make special herbal mixtures for laying meal.
2023
It is now summer 2023 and there are about 200 Hagheweyders spread across the country with cooperating breeders. The partridge color scheme is a favorite and other colors are also being experimented with. At De Braamstruik farm, 12 chicken farmers from the Hagheweyders come together to exchange experiences.
The Hagheweyder chickens are still a favorite among breeders as a beautiful colorful organic chicken.