the kraienkopp breed was developed in the late nineteenth century from crosses of local types with malays, and later with silver duckwing leghorns. it was first shown in the netherlands in 1920, and was shown in germany in 1925. it is rare today, and is best known as a layer and a show bird. hens lay a fair number of off-white eggs, and will go broody. the kraienkopp is an active bird with excellent foraging abilities.