Campine chicken is an old European egg layer breed which originated in the northern part of Belgium. They were bred for eggs production and mainly for their white shelled eggs.
Except their size, Campine chicken is very similar to the Belgium Braekal in all ways. They are comparatively smaller in size and lay a fair number of white eggs.
Nowadays, Campine chickens are mainly bred and raised for ornamental purposes. This chicken breed was first brought to the UK in the 19th Century and then was exported from Britain to the United States.
Campine chicken was added to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1914. There is also a bantam variety of this chicken breed.
Campine Chicken Characteristics
Silver and Gold are the two color varieties of the Campine chicken. Both male and female birds have the same color pattern. The Silver variety has neck hackles and a pure white head, the rest of the bird being barred with beetle-green on a pure white ground.
The Golden Campine variety also has the same pattern. But their head, body ground color and neck hackles are of rich Golden color rather than white. Campine chickens are active, very hardy and have an inquistive nature.
They are considered to be flighty and they are among the rarest chicken breeds. They have close-fitting feathers and relatively large combs. Their comb is single comb, red in color and flops to one side.
They have dark blue (like a Silkie) legs and have pure white earlobes. On an average, Campine roosters weight about 2.7 kg and hens about 2.3 kg. Photo from Wikipedia.
Behavior/Temperament
Campine chicken is a very active and hardy breed with inquistive nature. They are very good foragers and prefer to be out and free ranging most of the time.
Campine hens lay a fair number of medium white eggs. But they are not broody. Roosters are beautiful and perfect for ornamental purpose.
As Campine chickens have large combs, so they are prone to frostbite and are less cold hardy birds. See full breed profile below.
| Breed Name | Campine |
| Other Name | Also called Kempisch Hoen in it’s Native Area |
| Breed Purpose | Eggs, Ornamental |
| Breed Temperament | Friendly, Flighty |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Broodiness | Seldom |
| Comb | Single |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates (less cold hardy) |
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Egg Productivity | Medium |
| Feathered Legs | No |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Varieties | Golden & Silver |
The Good
- Very beautiful
- Smaller in size
- Require less feeds
- Great layers of white eggs
- Good for ornamental purpose and as pets
- Friendly
- Very active and hardy
- Good foragers and perfect for free range
The Bad
- Flighty
- Can be noisy
- Less cold hardy
Is Campine Chicken Good for You?
Campine chicken is good for you, if you…….
- Want to have some beautiful chickens on your flock.
- Are searching for some small size chickens.
- Are looking for such chicken breed which require less feeds.
- Want to raise some laying birds.
- Want to raise chickens for ornamental purpose or as pets.
- Are searching for active, friendly and very hardy birds.
- Want to raise some chickens which are great foragers and prefer free ranging.
