[7] It was probably brought there from south-east Europe or the Middle East at the time of the Crusades, and may have been spread through the area by Cistercian monks.

In 2001 it was an "endangered breed of the year" of the Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen,[11] and is listed in category I: extrem gefährdet, "extremely endangered", on the Rote Liste of that organisation.

[7][10]: 333 The Bergische Kräher is a dual-purpose breed, with good meat qualities.

Hens lay about 130 white eggs per year, with an average weight of 56 g;[2] they have little tendency to broodiness.

[14] Since 1923, the breed society has organised annual crowing contests on Ascension Thursday[8].