Deathlayer Chicken: Eggs, Size, Temperament, Colors & Care

The Deathlayer chicken, better known in Germany as the Westfälischer Totleger, is one of those breeds that catches your attention before you know anything else about it. The dramatic name helps, but the bird itself is just as memorable, with finely penciled plumage, dark eyes, a compact rose-type comb, and an alert, athletic build.

Despite the name, Deathlayers are not hens that literally lay an egg every day until they die. That story is part of the breed’s folklore. A more credible explanation is that an older German name meaning something closer to “day layer” gradually evolved into the modern name Totleger.

What is well supported is that this old German breed can be a very good layer of medium white eggs, usually around 200 to 250 per year under good conditions. Deathlayers are also excellent foragers, rarely broody, cold tolerant, and better suited to roomy runs or free-range setups than small enclosed coops.

In this guide, I’ll cover the Deathlayer’s history, egg production, size, temperament, colors, climate tolerance, broodiness, care needs, APA status, and whether this unusual breed is a good fit for your backyard flock.

What Is a Deathlayer Chicken?

The Deathlayer is a rare German chicken breed whose native name is Westfälischer Totleger. It is an old European breed associated with the Westphalia region of Germany and is known for its white eggs, active temperament, penciled plumage, and strong free-range ability.

In the United States, “Deathlayer” is the name most keepers recognize, but it is useful to remember that Westfälischer Totleger is the traditional German breed name. The breed is available in two main color varieties, silver and gold penciled.

Deathlayers are not typical beginner chickens. They are alert, energetic, and flighty, and they generally do best when they have plenty of room to move. If you want a calm lap chicken that is happy in a tight suburban run, this probably would not be my first recommendation.

History and Origin of the Deathlayer Chicken

The Westfälischer Totleger is an old German breed with a history stretching back several centuries. Modern breed descriptions usually connect it with farm chickens from northwestern Germany, especially Westphalia.

The famous name has two common explanations. The dramatic version says the hens were called “Deathlayers” because they supposedly continued laying until death. The less dramatic explanation, and the one considered more likely by Greenfire Farms, is that an older Low German name, Dauerleger, gradually changed over time into Totleger.

That distinction matters because the old version of this article treated the “lay until death” story as a biological fact. It is better understood as breed lore, not a promise about individual hens.

Greenfire Farms states that it was the original importer of the breed into the United States and brought in both color lines directly from Germany. Its silver line was imported first, followed by the gold line a few years later.

Deathlayer Chicken Quick Facts

Origin	Germany
Also called	Westfälischer Totleger
Egg color	White
Egg size	Medium
Approx. eggs per year	About 200 to 250
Broodiness	Low
Temperament	Active, alert, flighty
Free-range ability	Excellent
Cold tolerance	Good
APA recognized	No
Best for beginners	Usually no

Deathlayer Chicken Color Varieties

The breed is most commonly seen in silver penciled and gold penciled varieties. Both are striking, especially when the darker markings become more defined as the birds mature.

Silver Deathlayer

Silver birds have a bright silver or white base with dark penciling across the body. Roosters develop especially dramatic contrast through the hackles, saddle, wings, and tail.

Gold Deathlayer

Gold Deathlayers carry the same general penciled pattern but with a warm gold or brown base instead of silver. The color tends to look richer and darker, especially in mature males.

Both varieties typically have clean legs, slate to blue-gray shanks, four toes, dark eyes, and a red rose-type comb with red wattles.

If you enjoy unusual plumage patterns, you may also like comparing them with breeds such as Black Copper Marans or other rose-comb chicken breeds.

Deathlayer Chicken Size and Weight

Deathlayers are relatively light, athletic chickens rather than heavy dual-purpose birds. FeatherSite lists roosters at about 2 kg, or roughly 4.4 to 5 pounds, and hens around 1.5 kg, or roughly 3.3 to 3.75 pounds.

That lighter build makes sense when you watch them move. They are active foragers and strong enough flyers to take advantage of open space, fences, and even low tree branches if given the chance.

Deathlayer Chicken Temperament

The Deathlayer temperament is best described as alert, energetic, active, and flighty. I would avoid words such as “neurotic” because they make normal breed behavior sound like a defect.

These birds are simply more reactive and mobile than many calm backyard breeds. They like room to explore and may pace, call, or fly when confined too tightly. Greenfire Farms specifically warns that they do poorly in small coops and are much happier with a large run or free-range access.

With regular handling from a young age, some birds may become comfortable around people, but I would not expect the same easygoing personality you might get from a Buff Orpington or Speckled Sussex.

If calm temperament is a priority, see my guide to the quietest chicken breeds for backyard flocks.

Deathlayer Eggs: Color, Size and Production

Egg production is one of the strongest reasons to keep Deathlayers.

They lay medium-sized white eggs. Greenfire Farms lists average production at about 200 to 250 eggs per year, or roughly four eggs per week on average.

That is very respectable for a rare heritage-type breed, although it still does not mean every hen will hit the same number. Egg production changes with age, daylight, nutrition, molt, stress, health, and individual genetics.

The old claim that every Deathlayer hen keeps laying one egg a day until she dies should not be repeated as fact. Like other hens, Deathlayers generally produce their best numbers while young and then decline with age.

If white eggs are what you want most, you can also compare them with my guide to chicken breeds that lay white eggs.

When Do Deathlayer Hens Start Laying?

I would not promise an exact laying age for every Deathlayer because reliable breed-specific timing is limited. Like many light-bodied egg breeds, pullets may begin laying in the general range of about 5 to 6 months when well grown, but season, nutrition, and individual development matter.

If a pullet reaches maturity during short winter days, laying may begin later. Comb development, squatting behavior, pelvic spacing, and interest in nest boxes are often better clues than counting weeks alone.

For more detail, see when chickens start laying eggs.

Are Deathlayer Hens Broody?

Broodiness is generally low. Greenfire Farms describes Deathlayers as going broody “not often to never,” which means they are not a breed I would choose if natural hatching is your main goal.

If you want to hatch Deathlayer chicks consistently, an incubator or a dependable broody hen from another breed may be more practical.

You can read more about raising young birds in my guide to raising baby chicks.

Deathlayer Hen vs Rooster

Adult males and females share the same basic penciled color pattern, but mature roosters are generally larger and more dramatic.

• Roosters: usually heavier, with larger combs and wattles, longer hackle and saddle feathers, and curved sickle feathers in the tail.
• Hens: smaller and more compact, with shorter, rounded feathering and less dramatic tails.

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Deathlayer Lifespan

There is no reliable breed-specific lifespan figure that justifies saying every Deathlayer lives 10 to 12 years, and the old claim that they may lay for 20 years should be removed entirely.

A well-kept Deathlayer can potentially live for many years, just like other healthy backyard chickens, but actual lifespan depends on genetics, predators, disease, nutrition, weather, housing, and veterinary care.

For practical flock planning, it is better to think in terms of long-term care rather than attaching a precise number to a rare breed without strong records.

Cold and Heat Tolerance

Deathlayers are generally considered cold tolerant. Their relatively compact rose-type comb also exposes less tissue than a large single comb, which can be useful in freezing weather.

That does not mean they are frostbite-proof. Keep the coop dry, well ventilated, and free of direct drafts at roost level. Good winter care still matters.

In hot weather, their lighter body and active lifestyle may help, but shade, cool water, airflow, and protection from extreme heat are still essential. I would avoid claiming that this breed is equally adapted to every climate without qualification.

For winter management, see how to keep chickens warm in winter.

Housing and Space Requirements

This is one of the most important parts of keeping Deathlayers successfully.

They are active birds and usually do better with more room than a quiet, heavy breed. A large run is much better than a small enclosed pen, and free-range access can suit them very well where predators and local rules allow it.

Because they are capable flyers, plan for higher fencing or a covered run if you need to keep them contained. Some birds may also show an interest in roosting in trees, so secure evening routines are important.

If you free range, review my guide to free-range chickens and the risks from common chicken predators.

Feeding Deathlayer Chickens

Deathlayers do not need a special breed-specific feed. Use a complete poultry ration appropriate for the bird’s age and production stage, with clean water available at all times.

Laying hens need a balanced layer ration or another complete diet that supplies enough calcium and other nutrients. Their strong foraging ability can supplement the diet, but pasture and insects should not replace a balanced ration.

Health and Care Considerations

There are no unique daily-care requirements that make Deathlayers radically different from other chickens, but their activity level changes how you should manage them.

• Give them enough room to move and forage.
• Use secure fencing because they can fly well.
• Provide dry, draft-free housing with good ventilation.
• Watch shy birds to make sure they are not being bullied away from feed.
• Quarantine new birds before adding them to the flock.
• Keep up with routine parasite checks and general flock health monitoring.

Greenfire Farms also warns that its Deathlayer lines can be fragile during the chick and juvenile grow-out stage and recommends discussing Marek’s disease vaccination with your hatchery or poultry veterinarian if you are hatching or buying chicks.

Are Deathlayer Chickens APA Recognized?

No. The Deathlayer, or Westfälischer Totleger, is not currently listed among the American Poultry Association’s accepted breeds and varieties.

That does not mean you cannot keep, breed, display, or enjoy them in the United States. It simply means you should not describe the breed as having current APA recognition or an APA Standard of Perfection entry in the same way as recognized breeds.

European standards for the breed do exist, so serious breeders may still select birds toward established German or European type and color expectations.

Pros of Raising Deathlayer Chickens

• Beautiful silver or gold penciled plumage
• Good production of medium white eggs
• Excellent foraging ability
• Cold tolerant
• Rare breed with unusual history
• Low tendency toward broodiness

Cons of Raising Deathlayer Chickens

• Can be very flighty
• Not ideal for small coops or tight runs
• Strong flyers can be difficult to contain
• Rare and harder to source than common breeds
• Not usually the best choice for first-time chicken keepers
• Low broodiness makes natural hatching less dependable

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Deathlayer chickens really lay until they die?

No one should treat that as a literal guarantee. The idea is part of the breed’s name lore. Deathlayers can be strong layers, but production still declines with age just as it does in other hens.

How many eggs does a Deathlayer lay per year?

Greenfire Farms lists about 200 to 250 medium white eggs per year on average. Individual hens may lay more or less depending on age, season, diet, health, and management.

Are Deathlayers friendly?

They are usually more flighty and alert than cuddly. Birds handled gently from a young age may become comfortable around people, but this is not generally considered a calm, beginner-friendly breed.

Are Deathlayer hens broody?

Not often. If you want to hatch chicks regularly, an incubator is usually more dependable than waiting for a Deathlayer hen to sit.

Are Deathlayer chickens rare?

Yes. They remain much less common than mainstream backyard breeds in both Europe and the United States, so sourcing quality breeding stock can take more effort.

Are Deathlayers good for small backyards?

Usually not. Their flighty, active nature makes them a better fit for larger runs or secure free-range setups.

Are Deathlayers good in cold weather?

They are generally considered cold tolerant, but they still need dry housing, good ventilation, unfrozen water, and protection from severe weather.

Conclusion

The Deathlayer is a striking old German breed with much more going for it than an unusual name. It can give you a respectable number of medium white eggs, excellent foraging ability, beautiful penciled plumage, and a flock member that stays active and alert.

The tradeoff is temperament and space. Deathlayers are not the chickens I would squeeze into a small run or choose as a first breed for someone who wants calm, easy-to-handle hens.

If you have room, secure fencing, and you enjoy rare European breeds, the Westfälischer Totleger can be a fascinating addition to a backyard flock. Just remember that the famous “lays until death” story belongs in the history section, not in your expectations for real egg production.

Sources

• Greenfire Farms: Deathlayer
• FeatherSite: Westfälischer Totleger
• American Poultry Association: Accepted Breeds and Varieties