Backyard Fowl Keepers

I started with 20 chicks in June, and my flock has now grown to 35 birds. Among my original batch, 10 were Bielefelders. Based on my experience so far, I doubt Ill be adding more of this breed anytime soon. For anyone thinking about getting them, here are some important things to consider:

1) They eat an incredible amount. Each bird easily goes through over 1 kg of feed per day, which adds up fast. If you're looking for a cost-effective breed, these might not be the best choice.

2) They arent as docile as advertised. Many sources claim Bielefelders are calm and friendly, but my experience has been quite the opposite. The roosters, in particular, have been very aggressive toward the hens. One of my poor hens has lost nearly half the feathers on her back from being repeatedly clawed during mating.

3) They seem prone to health issues. In just the past three months, I've lost four Bielefeldersall fully grown birds. None of my other breeds have had similar problems. My best guess is that its related to their size, as they grow incredibly fast and get massive. The last rooster that died was easily close to 7 kg. I suspect their rapid growth may contribute to metabolic or structural issues.

I wanted to share my experience for anyone considering this breed. If youve raised Bielefelders, Id love to hear how theyve done for you. Have you noticed similar problems, or did I just get an unlucky batch?

Sorry you had such a rough time with them! The feed consumption alone is a major red flag for me. I was considering getting some, but I may look into more efficient breeds instead.

I had similar issues with Jersey Giants. They ate like crazy, grew fast, and then I lost a few for no clear reason. Some of these super-sized breeds just seem to have a lot of problems.

That's really interesting! I've always heard Bielefelders were gentle giants, but your experience makes me think twice. Maybe their temperament depends on the bloodline?

I have three Bielefelders, and while they do eat a lot, mine have been super docile. I wonder if there are different strains,maybe yours came from a line with more aggressive roosters?

Thanks for sharing your experience! It's great to hear firsthand feedback rather than just relying on breed descriptions online. I may reconsider getting Bielefelders now.

The aggressive rooster behavior is concerning. I wonder if certain lines have more game bird ancestry in them, making them more prone to rough mating? Maybe selective breeding could help.

I haven't had Bielefelders, but my Brahmas also eat a ton and get really big. I'd be curious to know if anyone else has seen metabolic issues in heavy breeds.

I've read that Bielefelders were originally bred for both meat and eggs, which might explain why they grow so fast. Maybe they're better suited for people processing their extra roosters early rather than keeping them long-term.

I've been raising Bielefelders for a couple of years, and while they are big eaters, I haven't had the aggression or health issues you describe. Maybe they need a lower-protein diet to slow their growth?