| Potchefstroom Koekoek | |
| Status: | Vulnerable |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Maleweight: | 4.2 kg |
| Femaleweight: | 3.6 kg |
| Eggsperyear: | 290 |
| Skincolor: | Yellow |
| Eggcolor: | Brown |
| Comb: | Red |
| Type: | Chicken |
| Latin: | Gallus gallus domesticus |
The Potchefstroom Koekoek is a South African breed of chicken[1] developed in the 1960s at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College in the city of Potchefstroom by Chris Marais. It was developed by cross breeding a number of other breeds like Black Australorp,[2] White Leghorn,[2] and Barred Plymouth Rock to obtain specific characteristics of each, making the resulting breed more suitable to Southern African conditions.
The breed was intended as a dual purpose, free ranging chicken with laying capabilities as well as a large structure for meat production. Pure Koekoeks have a black-and-white barred appearance, with the chicks sexable soon after hatching due to distinct sex markings. Potchefstroom Koekoeks maintain good egg production even with poor quality or insufficient feeding.[3]