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Last update on August 18 , 2023
Are you look for the best backyard wimp breed that lay colourful eggs , have a great personality , or simply seem nerveless ? You ’ve amount to the proper place ! This post will explore over 18 different crybaby breeds with pictures , including the most popular and common types of chickens . acquire about their bollock laying habits(egg color , sizing and frequency ) , disposition , appearing , heat leeway or cold boldness , and other renowned feature .
Wether you ’re get chicken for the first time , or only looking for fun , unique , or unlike types of wimp to add to your backyard great deal , this article will facilitate you find the good chicken breeds for your mood , grand , and fellowship . We ’ve been lift backyard chickens for over 10 year , and have personal experience with many of these amazing breed !
Related : fresh to poulet ? Do n’t miss our guide onRaisingBackyard Chickens 101for essential beginner tips , along with ourRaising Baby Chicks Guidefor advice onhow to set up a chick incubator , temperature chart , and more . Once you have your breeds picked out , it ’s time to decide on thebest crybaby names !
The Top 18 Backyard Chicken Breeds
1) Barred Rock
Barred Plymouth Rocks , or just “ stop rock ” , are some of thesweetest , most inquisitive , way-out birds we ’ve ever had . They are very friendly , sound , and expectant with kids . I hate to play favourite , but of the nine dissimilar chickens we have had now , Dottie and Zoey take the bar . They ’re the ones who always come in incline first , stick to closest , and are most inclined to jump up for a nestle .
Barred Rocks also have a report for being talkative , but with a distinct angelic , soft coo and chatter , much unlike than the others in the lot . These black and blank spotted cuties are unfaltering layers of prominent , lite brown eggs . you could expect an norm of four to five eggs per hebdomad while they ’re actively laying . Barred rocks have a expectant single cockscomb , and are both heating system and cold tolerant . This stock can take well to “ labour ” but are happiest when they can range freely .
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2) Marans
This group includes Black Copper Marans , Blue Copper Marans , or Cuckoo Marans . All of them are have a go at it to have the same great disposition . gratifying . thinking . Docile . Easily handled . Personally , I have a sizable soft spot for Black Copper Marans . Their bluish bootleg iridescent plumage , bull gold cervix feathers , feathered wooden leg , and large reddish coxcomb and wattles make them passing striking , gorgeous bird . We had a Black Copper Marans make Luna . We lost her ahead of time due to a heart defect , but for the 6 months she bless our lives with her mien , she was one of the best chickens we ’d ever had .
Marans are highly seek after for theirdark cocoa chocolate-brown egg , which range from medium brown ( racy copper ) , morose ( fathead ) , to very very drab coffee brown ( black bull marans ) . They are good layers , averaging at least 3 large eggs per week . Though they ’re quite inhuman brave , Marans are n’t said to be particularly tolerant to utmost warmth .
3) Easter Eggers or Olive Eggers
Easter egger are usually very favorable , teachable , and in our experience , possibly a tad ditzy . But what chicken is n’t a slight ditzy ? Really . Not to be confused with a confessedly - bred Ameraucanasor Araucanas , Easter Eggers are also commonly labeled as“Americanas ” . Note the departure in spelling . Certain chicken partizan get very irritated by the misleading language , because the Ameraucana breed ( number 5 below ) is quite different .
Easter Eggers are themutts of the wimp globe ; they are not a true realize breed of chicken . But mutts can make for the good of pets ! Instead , they ’re usually a crossbreeding breed , dubbed and lumped into a generic family of “ easter eggers ” for the colorful ball they ’re bred to put . The same is true forOlive Eggers . Most Easter Eggers have green legs , which helps make them easily distinct from avowedly - bred Ameraucanas , who have slate gray to blue legs .
honest to their name , Easter Eggerscan lay a rainbow of ballock color ! It is most plebeian to get dark-green or blue eggs from Easter Egger hens , though their palette can set out from pink to tan to purplish ! you may eggspect at least 4 eggs per week from these gal . Outfitted with fluffy nerve calledmuffs , or feathery littleneck clam beards , I recall these razzing are absolutely adorable . They amount in a wide-cut kind of colors , admit brown , orange , fatal , blonde , whitened or blue ! We have had three Easter Eggers , Hennifer being our Old gallon in the current flock .
Easter Eggers have small peacombs , making them a good frigid - sturdy bird . Peacombs do not have as high of a risk of frostbite as declamatory undivided - cockscomb type . They ’re also know to be heating plant tolerant , and do not ordinarily become broody .
4) Orpington
The Buff orpington is the quintessential backyard chicken . Imagine a magnanimous ginger - blonde fluff ball idly meandering around your yard . With a report of being verysweet , docile , and patient , these razzing are especially dear with kids . The buff color Orpington is the most usual , though they come in a variety of other vividness plumage ! Blue , Black , White … A Lavender or Jubilee Orpington is on our wish list , most unquestionably ! Orpingtons set medium to large light brown eggs , averaging one every other Clarence Day .
Due to their fluffy plumage , this stock is particularly frigid - hardy . Also because of their punishing stature , they ’re known to beless flightyonce they ’ve reached maturity . Orpingtons may gobroodyfairly often , and are very honorable mother hens .
5) Ameraucana
Often confound with Easter Eggers , this recognizedpurebreeddoes have a mickle of standardised characteristics ! With fluffy impudence fumble and a whiskers , their faces could n’t get any cuter . Ameraucanas lay beautiful medium - sizeblue eggsin a all-embracing kitchen stove of shades , with an average of about 3 to 4 per week . But do n’t expect eggs flop away from this stock . On average , this breed will “ arrive into lay ” a span month later than other hens .
When lecture about their Ameraucanas , most ethnic music say they ’re teachable but very alarm and predatory animal savvy . Personality can vary with each unique hiss – it seems they enjoy being around humans , but may be a minuscule more on the skittish side , not necessarily relish nestle as much as some chicken breeds . feather colour ranges from sorry to buff and wheaten to lavender . A lavender or blue splash Ameraucana is on my aspiration flock list ! Like many wimp , this breed is quite cold hardy but not particularly heat hardy .
6) Crested Cream Legbar
Crested Cream Legbars , or just “ cream legbars ” , are a rarefied strain and extremely seek after for theirbright blue - green nut . They will position about 4 to 5 medium - size blue eggs per hebdomad . And their awful little tufted head poufs , and big floppy combs?Yeah . Pretty stinking cute . This breed is known to be very honeyed and wondering . Some of my friends have super friendly , cuddly CCL ’s who have a go at it to be up - in - the - business , getting favourite and being held . Our daughter Phoebe is a minuscule more skittish , but she ’s still a quirky , beautiful , welcome addition to our spate .
Cream Legbars are well foragers , and keen to spotting and avoiding predator when free ranging . Being on the smaller side for “ prominent bird ” , they can move quick ! They are tolerant to rut , stale , and confinement . One additional awesome trait these birds have survive for them is that they’reauto - sexing . That means that as daylight - old chicks , you could easy tell the two sexes aside . So whether you ’re ordering from a hatchery , picking some up from a local breeder , or brood your own eggs at plate , you bed what you ’re beget into right away ! The baby male person will have a wanton spot on the top of their nous , which the females lack .
7) Welsummer
Welsummers are all - around awesome admirer to have in the backyard ! They arecalm , sweet , beautiful , and regular , reliable layer . If you are looking for reddish brown eggs , most often with awesomedark brown speckles , look no further ! Four large eggs per week is an expected average for Welsummers .
Backyard chicken keepers have nothing but proficient things to say about this breed . We bonk our Welsummer young woman , Ginger . She is more gentle in her dig than the others , though Welsummers are well foragers . pep is also our least assertive bird , when it comes time to vie for food or in the general pecking order with the relaxation of the batch , despite the stereotype that they can be more self-asserting with others . This breed is both cold and warmth - sturdy .
8) Wyandotte
Wyandottes have some of the mostgorgeous feather patternsout there . Gold Laced and Silver Laced are the most mutual feather colors , though they also descend in blue , black , partridge , and more . With humans , Wyandottes are mostly calm and friendly birds , though a little aloof . They are not of necessity “ lick chickens ” . When it comes to demeanor around other crybaby , they often rank high in the pecking order and can be autocratic or even a little strong-growing .
In regards to ballock , Wyandottes will lay about 4 average - to - big faint dark-brown eggs per week . They ’re a heavy breed and therefore not usually as quick or flighty . With arose comb and full plumage , they ’re exceptionally suited for cold climate . Like many other chicken breeds , they ’ll will need extra measures take to keep them cool and comfortable in in high spirits - heat mood . They are good forager and prefer free orbit .
9) Cochin
Theadorable factoris so real with these birds . Fluffy feathered pantaloons , anyone?These birds are so fully fledge that you normally can not see their foot . Cochins are not known to be the good of layers , average out about 2 medium brownish eggs per calendar week . However , for what they miss in testicle production , they more than make up for in personality ! This precede them to be continually pop with backyard Gallus gallus custodian .
cochin china have a reputation for being veryfriendly , docile , well - handled , and overall peaceful , good - vibes only razzing . Even their roosters are known to be reasonably tingle . Are you surprised to hear Cochins are on our dream flock list ? Probably not . And to be fair , we get way more ballock than we can keep up with from our four “ solid ” position hens . I would n’t mind some miss that lie less often .
give their lumbering statue and immense fluff , Cochins are verycold unfearing and easy to containwith minimum fencing . They are n’t aggressive forager , and prefer the fat and lazy approach . They ’re not super heat tolerant , but that can be whelm with spare precaution like pile of shade , stale water , glacial treat . In regard to colors , Cochins amount in just about all of them ! Buff , dispirited , Au tied , white , black , mottled , brown , blood-red , and more .
10) Australorp
This is the Australian - origin version of the Orpington , and have many of the same calibre ! Australorp feather can be blue , black , or white . I in person think the black is the most stunning , with aniridescent unripened , blue , and purple sheenin the right lighting . This stock is well - roll in the hay for theirhigh - volume orchis layingabilities . Several cosmos records for most number of eggs per year were set by Australorp hen . They will lie an average of 5 large light brown eggs per hebdomad .
On the whole , Australorps are verydocile , sweet-flavored , and friendly . Some may be a tad shy . Fluffy and large , these birds have great inhuman hardiness . As you may imagine , being that they originated in Australia and are very popular birds there , they are also quite heat tolerant .
11) Speckled Sussex
Speckled Sussex chickens arecurious , mild - mannered , and will probably observe you all over . As heavy dual - purpose birds , these chickens are n’t as prone to flying once they mature to full size , so they ’re a little less likely to hop the fence into your garden ! After each moult , they can becomeincreasingly speckled and pretty . lend one of these to our futurity “ I want you ” list .
Speckled Sussex lie in about four clean brown eggs four per week . They ’re likely tolay through the inhuman of wintertime weather . talk of wintertime , this breed is a sound cold - hearty breed too . They are n’t necessarily oestrus sensitive , but also are not know to be exceptionally heating system liberal either .
12) Silkie
Silkies are like theteddy bearsof the chicken world . Mostly kept as beloved pets over bollock output , these birds are exceedinglyfriendly , easy to treat , and with their singular flossy feathers , very endearing . They ’re commonly raised as show birds . With Silkies , about 2 to 3 eggs per week is vulgar . The orchis are small to medium size , normally cream in color . Speaking of color , their feather variations admit blue , black , white , grey , buff , bobwhite quail , and sprinkle . Despite their fragile show , they take well to loose ranging , and are quite heat tolerant!They go broody easily and make for fantabulous mothers .
Due to their unique silky feathers , there are a few thing you demand to know to decently give care for them . First , because their feather do not stick together , theycannot fly . This makes them leisurely to limit , but also easy targets for predators . Also because of their feathers , they arenot waterprooflike other chickens and can not bear overly squiffy climates without some supplemental estrus or blow dry . As a very docile and unique stock , they are an easy target for intimidation and feather - pluckingby other appendage of a mixed deal . Therefore , silkies may do best in flocks of their same kind or with similar breeds like Polish .
13) Polish
Have you seen those adorable birds withpom - poms of plume afroson the their heading ? That ’s a Polish . They areridiculously adorable . The header pouf can be so full that it might involve to be routinely trimmed or pulled back into a “ hen roll ” to help the birds otherwise deflower eyesight . Like Cochins and Silkies , this is a breed that is more attempt after for appearance and cute - factor than egg production . They will lay medium to heavy white eggs , up to several per week . However , they are known to have more variation in laying absolute frequency and therefore less dependable , if eggs are what you ’re face for . They are not known to go broody much .
Also like cochin china and silkies , this breed is verytame , sweet , and will tolerate being hold , making them a very good pick for a family with children . They take flight well , and also may jump easily , which is think to be attribute to their sometimes blocked eyesight . They are also very inquisitive and can get themselves into tricksy situations because of it . Good thing they tolerate being confined well , because that may be the best option for these wench .
Polish can be many different color combinations , including blue , black , buff , silver and Au lace , often with a different colour poofy tip than the rest of their feathers . They are included on theMy Pet Chicken heat - hardy chicken strain listing , and also do well with cold . Like Silkies , too wet conditions are not ideal . Their tip should be dried if it becomes sopping wet .
When they ’re in a wad with other more aggressive breeds like Rhode Island Reds , Polish chickens often fall to the bottom of the pecking monastic order and can beeasily bullied . Though adorable , their poofy head plume can also get them into hassle – they can be resistless , and other chickens may beak and pluck them . That enunciate , I know of many mixed flocks that include cultivation and they do just ticket !
14) Rhode Island Red
Rhode Island Reds are product birds . They ’re valued both forhigh bollock laying frequency , providing about 5 eggs per week , and also for their heavy consistency for meat . egg areextra - large in size , brown in color . They do well in most clime , and are particularly cold-blooded hardy . The stock is recognized to be sound foragers , but also take well to confinement . The Rhode Island Red is the official state bird of … you guessed it … Rhode Island .
There is a persistent rumor around the chicken keep residential district that claims RIRs are a bit more rowdy and sometimes even belligerent . Honestly , this prevented us from getting Rhode Island Reds in the past , though I detest to stereotype!Every chicken is dissimilar . Rumors aside , upon say through reviews on various backyard wimp on-line forums , it seems most folks have very positive thing to say about their RIRs ! I venture to pretend they may have dominant personalities and often come forth as the “ top biddy ” in the flock , but can be very favorable and even downright cuddly with their human companions . multitude claim they ’re a particularly brassy breed .
15) Mille Fleur d’Uccle
In French , Mille Fleur means “ thousand flowers . ” This is probably in reference to the hundred of trivial fatal and white flower petal - looking dots that cover thesegorgeous , unique birdsotherwise - orangeness plumage . In add-on to the speckles , they have full beards and fluffy feathered fundament . Millie Fleurs are very attractive - looking , odorous , calm , and enjoy being handled . Combined with their immense personalities , they areperfect petsas well as pop show doll . They ’re only available as bantams .
Egg production is n’t their strong wooing , laying just a few very small whitened eggs per week . Because they are little and weak , they do well in heat energy . This also means they’reexcellent fliers , so take that into consideration when you are project their rill or ranging space . Keeping them in a flock with larger , more assertive bird may be problematic , likewise to Polish or Silkies . A Millie Fleur has been on my “ I require you ” leaning for a long time .
16) Dominique
Dominiques are anotherall - around bully additionto any backyard flock . They ’re teachable , sweet , gentle , and are likely to comply their favorite humans closely everywhere they go . They ’re also good layers , averaging 3 to 4 medium - large light brown eggs per week . Like Cream Legbars , this breed isauto - sex , making it easy to more accurately make up one’s mind their gender as baby chicks just by look at them . Head spots on male chicks are more dot , while the female ’s head spot will be diminished and consistent .
Though they bet similar at first glance , do n’t jumble this breed with a barred rock ‘n’ roll ! Dominique chickens have the same black and white rule , but a bit more mottled and less crisp than a barred careen . The most obvious tell - tale difference between the two strain is the Dominque’sflattened rose coxcomb . Instead , barred rocks have a single improbable turgid comb . This rose comb gives them lilliputian risk of frostbite and excellent cold allowance , though they are n’t particularly heat tolerant .
As a gentle , less aggressive breed , they make groovy companions for the likewise - sweet Cochins , Polish , or Silkies , and could be piece on by other more dominant types . They also make first-class , caring mother .
17) Barnevelder
With uniquedouble - laced plumagereminiscent of a Wyandotte , andchocolate - colour eggs , Barnevelders are gorgeous all the way around . They ’ll lay about three large mass medium to dark brown testis per calendar week . This breed is rumored to be dynamic , skilful at foraging , and favorable , but also veryeasy - going , still , and will tolerate confinementwell . They ’re a cold-blooded hardy breed .
Since they ’re pretty rare , you in all probability wo n’t see this breed during chick day at your local Farm Supply store , but are becoming increasingly available through large and small stock breeder alike . Much like other mellow chicken breeds , these gal can often fall to the bottom of the pecking social club .
18) Brahma
Last but not least , the Brahma . These are big , “ dual - purpose ” birds ! So much so , they ’ve been dubbed“The King of Chickens” . But they ’re agentle giant , known just as much for theircalm dispositionas they are for their size and productivity . As a fluffy , well-disposed , quiet , well - address breed , this is another great choice for families with children . They average three to four medium - large light brown eggs per week . Aquirky traitis that they seem to prefer to lay October through May – the time when many other chicken breeds take a wintertime break – so they may helpbring balance to your testicle basketyear around !
Brahmas have three agnise plumage colouration : buff , light , and dark . They are densely square , including feathery legs and feet . Due to their grievous body stature , they do n’t aviate well . Therefore , Brahams are generallyeasy to check . Their great size of it also often keep them near thetop of the pecking order . Other birds do n’t wanna check that ! Cold temperatures are n’t an issue for these birds . However , being in overly sloshed conditions often could lead to egress with their feathery foot . As long as they have subtlety and cold water in the summer , they ’re okay in heat too .
In summary…
Best for egg production
If a eminent egg count is your primary motivator for observe chicken , look no further thanRhode Island Reds , Barred rocks , and Australorps . These are probably the three most “ rich ” chicken breeds on the inclination .
Best Breeds for Colorful Eggs
To make a beautiful nut basket full of unique color , you may desire to considerMarans , Easter or Olive Eggers , Ameraucanas , Crested Cream Legbars , Welsummers , and Barnevelders , all of which lay quite regularly as well .
Most Calm and Loving
If you are after rank lulu , laid-back Bronx cheer for a family with children , then theBarred Rocks , Orpingtons , Easter Eggers , Cochins , Silkies , Millie Fleur , or Polishchicken breed might be among your idealistic choices .
take down that every snort will have its own unparalleled behaviour , so some birds within these breeds ( or other stock on the list ) may be more or less favorable than “ the norm ” . A lot of how affectionate a chicken is with its human fellowship greatly depends on the bonding sentence spent with it from a young age .
Great All-Around Birds
Speckled Sussex , Barnevelders , Brahmas , and Dominiquesare great all - around birds , with a little of all of the above too !
Most Heat-Tolerant
The most heating plant - patient of chicken breeds include theRhode Island Red , Barred Rock , Easter Eggers , Australorp , Silkies , Millie Fleurs , and Welsummers . However , with extra measure taken by a diligent chicken parent , most breeds can live mirthfully in hot mood . When temperatures achieve 90 degree Fahrenheit or gravid , preventative measures to keep birds coolheaded must be conduct . This is particularly genuine in humid climate . Read“10 Ways to Keep Chickens Cool in Hot Summer Weather”to larn more !
Most Cold-Tolerant
present that they ’re living , walking , breathing down blankets , moth-eaten is not usually as threatening to volaille as warmth is ! That is , unless they ’re slough . Then they may require a jumper . All of the breeds on this leaning will do likewise well in cold climate , as long as typical winterizing precaution are consider . Chickens with declamatory single - combs and wattles may demand extra attention in winter , to control their combs do n’t get frostbite . Check out“10 Tips on Caring for Chickens in Cold Winter Weather”here .
Most Unique Appearance
Even though I think ALL chicken are quite beautiful , if you are look for unique , show - stopping peach , Wyandottes , Millie Fleur , Polish , and Silkiestake the cake .
Did this help you nail down down your pick , or just make you want alllll of them ? The great news about having so many awesome wimp breed to take from is it may help you sense less “ stuck ” on just a few breed type ! It is great to be compromising and open up up your options , especially if you are source your chicks from a local breeder that might not have all of the accurate breeds you were originally hop for .
If you are a Modern or soon - to - be chicken parent , you may want to contain out this post : What to Expect When You ’re expect : Backyard Chickens . It covers everything from where to get chickens , coop and run design , predator and guard , and stern ! Yep . Poop .
