Poultry
Deathlayer
B tier
Deathlayer is the English name widely used for Westfälische Totleger, a German dual-purpose breed reputed for extraordinarily long productive laying life. Medium-framed with a rose comb and silver or gold pencilled plumage, Deathlayers provide white eggs and lean, clean-flavoured table meat from free-ranging farm systems. As meat birds they suit whole roasting when young and traditional braises or stews when mature. Breast is lean and fine-grained; dark meat carries more savoury character. Moisture-aware cooking preserves tenderness comparable to other European utility heritage breeds.
Also known as: Westfälische Totleger, Deathlayer, Deathlayer, Deathlayer, Deathlayer
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History
Westphalian long-laying farm hens earned the folk reputation of laying until death, inspiring the Totleger name.
Formal German standards fixed Totleger type later popularised abroad as Deathlayer.
Utility breeders promoted the breed for enduring egg production and modest dual-purpose meat.
Conservation flocks preserved pure lines after commercial hybrids dominated production.
North American hatcheries and keepers popularised the English “Deathlayer” name for Totleger stock.
Global rare-breed interest kept Deathlayer visible among dual-purpose heritage chickens.