The Hamburgh is a small, active, and graceful bird with a distinctive rose comb and upright tail. Though they’ve been kept in Britain for at least 300 years, some believe they may have originated in Eastern Europe. They are available in a variety of striking colours, including black, white, gold pencilled, silver pencilled, gold spangled, and silver spangled.

Hamburghs tolerate confinement reasonably well, but they thrive when allowed to free range. They are exceptional foragers—so much so that letting them roam can significantly reduce feed costs. With strong rain, heat, and cold tolerance, combined with intelligence, predator awareness, and frost-resistant combs, Hamburghs are a hardy and adaptable breed suited for a wide range of climates.

However, Hamburghs are also excellent fliers and may roost in trees—or even on rooftops—if given the chance. If your run is not covered, you may need to train them to roost in the coop at night. If you’re trying to confine them to a backyard, a tall fence is advisable, and clipping their flight feathers may be necessary. Keep in mind that clipping wings can reduce their ability to evade predators.

Hamburghs are prolific egg layers, much like Leghorns. Despite their relatively small size, they lay large white eggs, starting from as early as 16–20 weeks old. With an average of 200–220+ eggs per year, the Hamburgh was once regarded as the gold standard of egg production in Northern Europe. In England and the Netherlands, they earned nicknames like the “Dutch every-day layer” or “Everlasting Layer” due to their exceptional consistency and longevity in laying. While some modern breeds may surpass them in total annual output, few can match the Hamburgh’s ability to lay reliably for many years.

Hamburgh hens are not naturally broody, so you’ll need either an incubator or a broody hen from another breed if you plan to hatch their eggs.

With its rare and stunning Silver Spangled plumage, the Hamburgh is a true gem for those fortunate enough to keep such a special breed.

Greenhills Country Farm is proud to breed the Silver Spangled Hamburgh, and we look forward to making this remarkable variety available to the public soon. (Not yet released)