Westfälischer Totleger

The Westfälischer Totleger, or Westphalian Totleger, is an old German chicken from Westphalia whose dramatic name is often translated as deathlayer. The phrase reflects a reputation for persistent laying rather than a modern production guarantee. These birds are light, active landrace-type chickens, most often seen in gold or silver penciled and spangled patterns, with a neat comb and a bright, alert carriage.

Small flocks usually keep Totlegers for heritage preservation, white eggs, and the pleasure of a lively foraging breed. They are not heavy meat birds and can be more alert and mobile than calm backyard layers, so fencing, covered runs, and patient handling matter. Breeding work should preserve the old Westphalian type, clean patterning, and laying vitality while avoiding the temptation to treat the name as a claim of endless egg production.

Colors: Barred, Birchen, Black, Blue, Brown, Buff, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Gold, Gold Laced, Laced, Lavender, Mille Fleur, Mottled, Partridge, Penciled, Porcelain, Red, Silver, Silver Laced, Silver Penciled, Spangled, Splash, Wheaten, White