Jærhøns
Norway
The Norwegian Jærhøns originated in the 19th century in the southwestern part of Norway, named after the area of Jæren in Rogaland. It is the only truly indigenous chicken breed of Norway, adapted to wind, cold and barren soils – a living piece of national heritage. The Jærhøns is known for being hardy and continues to lay eggs even in harsh winters. With their striped or black-and-white markings, they stand out in the landscape. In the 1970s, the breed was threatened with extinction due to the prevalence of commercial hybrids; however, thanks to breeding programs and the efforts of hobby breeders, it survived. Today, the Jærhøns mainly live with traditional farmers, heritage farms, and small-scale breeders. It lays medium-sized white eggs and is known to be active, curious, and remarkably adaptable.
Mechelse Aseel
CCP 28
The Mechelse Aseel is a powerhouse: large, muscular and vital. In pure form, egg production is limited, but in crossings, this breed provides a substantial genetic contribution. It brings robustness, colour variation and improved laying capacity. The Aseel thus forms a foundation for diversity within the Cosmopolitan Chicken Project.
Expedition
Together with the staff of Kunsthall 3,14, Vanmechelen travelled to the southwest of Norway, to the region Jæren in Rogaland. The chickens were purchased at a small-scale farm specializing in Jærhøns. For the Global Open Farm in Oudsberg, eggs were obtained through the Poultry Museum in the Netherlands.
The unexpected, the appeal of the chicken serendipity at work...
The crossing between the Mechelse Aseel and the Norwegian Jærhøns resulted in a narrow base. Diversity is less pronounced; phenotypically, the animals look more alike. It is a “weak link”: genetically interesting, but without pronounced strength or productivity. The traces of isolation – Norway only allowed eggs, no chickens, to enter – are visible in the result. Yet this line carries the latent promise of new diversity in future generations.
Birthplace of the first chicks
Bergen (NO)
First presentation
Born in Kunsthall 3,14, a centre for contemporary art in Bergen, Norway. The Kunsthall is renowned for its commitment to socially engaged contemporary art. Visitors could closely follow the different stages of the hatching process. The first chicks were born 21 days after the opening.
