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The Campine chicken, hailing from the northern reaches of Belgium, carries the essence of its homeland in its very name, derived from the Campine region straddling north-eastern Belgium and south-eastern Netherlands. Known locally as the Kempisch Hoen, this breed's story is as intricate as its plumage.

History

Originally a smaller variant of the Braekel, the Campine's weight was up to 1.2 kg less. This distinct type flourished throughout Antwerp and the northern and central parts of Limburg. A pivotal decision in 1884 led to the separation of these two types. Following heated debates, the Campine was officially recognized as a separate breed with its own standard on August 28, 1904. Despite further disputes, the breeds were reunited under a single standard in 1925 or 1926, christened Kempisch-Braekel. By 1962, it was declared that the Campine type had vanished, prompting a name change of the Belgian breed to Brakelhoen.

The Campine's journey continued when it was introduced to England around 1899, where it evolved into a markedly different bird. Notably, hen feathering in cocks became a standard trait, a practice initiated by Oscar Thomaes of Ronse, Belgium, in 1904. A cock from Thomaes' stock won first place at a show at London's Alexandra Palace that same year.

From Britain, Campines made their way to the United States. A Campines cock clinched top honors at Madison Square Garden in New York City and in Boston in January 1913. The breed was added to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1914. During the 1910s and early 1920s, the Silver Campine was notably raised for egg production by U.S. poultry farms like Homestead Campine Farm of Wayland, MA, achieving some commercial success.

Characteristics

The Campine comes in two color varieties: Silver and Gold. Both exhibit the same striking pattern—Silvers boast pure white heads and neck hackles, with black barred bodies shimmering with a beetle-green sheen against a pure white background. Goldens mirror this pattern, but their head, neck hackles, and body ground color are a rich gold instead of white.

In its homeland, the Campine was renowned as an "everyday layer," consistently producing large white eggs. This breed is considered flighty and hardy, possessing an active and inquisitive nature. Among domestic chickens, Campines are exceedingly rare.

Use

Though the Campine lays a respectable number of white-shelled eggs, it is primarily kept for show today.

Genetic Research

The Golden Campine played a pivotal role in early auto-sexing research by Reginald Crundall Punnett and Michael Pease at Cambridge's Genetical Institute. In 1929, the Cambar, the first auto-sexing hybrid, emerged from crossing the Golden Campine with the Barred Rock.

The hen-feathering trait in Golden Campine cocks is identical to that in the Sebright bantam breed. It's posited that the trait in the Campine derives from the Sebright, suggesting a shared genetic source.

Closely related to the Dutch Chaamse Hoen, the Campine also bears a resemblance to the Egyptian Fayoumi in both plumage and behavior, though no genetic studies have confirmed a link between these breeds.

Conclusion

The Campine chicken is a unique and historic breed perfect for enthusiasts looking for an active and interesting addition to their flock. With proper care, they can thrive and continue to be a part of poultry history.