The Braekel or Brakel is one of the older European chickenbreeds. Its history dates back to 1416, when is was mentioned as a successful poultry breed of the Brakel region, Belgium. Two distinct types were recognized in the past: the large type living on rich clay soiled Flanders (Vlaanderen), and a light-weight type from the less fertile region the Kempen. Due to crossbreeding between the different types, this distinction vanished, resulting in one single type.
In the UK, USA and Australia, however, one can still find descendants of the Kempische Brakel under its old name 'Campine'. The Campine has evolved different from the Brakel. The most noticeable difference being the hen-feathering of the rooster and the lower weight.
The Brakel is not cultivated for its meat, but merely for its egg laying qualities. The breed is capable to produce 180 to 200 white eggs a year. Characteristic for the brakel is the straight banding pattern of the feathers and the uniform, plain neck colour. Several colour variants exist, with the gold and the silver variant being the most common.
Old names for the breed are "The Everyday Layer", "The Grey White Neck" and "The Nuns Hen".
The brakel population declined during and after the Second World War and unfortunately it has become a rather rare breed.
Van Braekel started his career at Ford and graduated in automotive design from the Royal College of Art in 1984.
Parachuted into Skoda to develop a completely new image, he masterminded the Golf-based Octavia hatchback and wagon which was marked by its VW group feel, including pronounced wheel arches and an arching roofline.
Van Braekel's reign could prove interesting as his first task - designing a new mid-size Bentley - requires blending VW group styling themes with the company's much-touted "Britishness".
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