Breeds
Chicken Types Breed Directory
Best 26 Chicken Types Breeds for Beginners and Advanced Chicken Farmers
With well over 500 chicken types the world over, choosing the best breeds of chicken for your backyard flock can be a difficult decision to make.
To help you in the chicken types decision-making process, we came up with a list of the best possible chicken breeds to raise.
We also aim to equip you with the right information to make a choice more quickly and with the best guarantee of a successful selection.
This article takes into account factors like egg production, beginner friendliness, and many others that make poultry farming a worthwhile experience. You’ll want to take note that the information below mostly regards hens.
Ameraucana
The Ameraucana is one of the most widely known and attractive breeding birds in the world. It is easy to care for and is available in a variety of color pallets – blue, black, white, brown-red, wheaten, blue wheaten, buff, and silver.
The Ameraucana is a winter-hardy, dual-purpose breed well-adapted to open or semi-open-air production systems. The Ameraucana’s temperament periodically changes among docile, skittish, and gentle.
Most farmers consider the Ameraucana to be a social bird with a huge heart that can be extremely friendly, especially with its kind.
Ameraucanas lay anywhere between 180 to 200 eggs per year that vary in color from light-blue to green.
Ameraucana Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 180 – 200 |
| Egg color | Blue |
| Egg size | Medium |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile, skittish, gentle |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 6.5lbs |
Araucana
Araucanas are among the most recognizable chicken breeds out there. Their unique feathers and blue, blue-green-shelled eggs are some of the things we love about them. The Araucanas’ fascinating shape makes them a precious breed.
Araucanas are cold hardy in winter, outgoing and confident in social situations, thanks in large part to their active and boisterous nature. The ambitious buffs appreciate being in an ample space that supports their curious mindset.
Like most birds, the avian socialites usually feed on seeds, berries, and veggies. But they may also feed on insects and small worms. Aracunas lay around 150-180 eggs each year.
Despite their outgoing nature, Araucanas tolerate confinement. They come in a variety of colors ranging from white to black, golden duckwing, black-red, and silver duckwing. Araucanas are dual-purpose and easy to raise even for a beginner.
Araucana Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 150 – 180 |
| Egg color | Blue, blue/green |
| Egg size | Medium |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 5lbs |
Andalusian
Andalusians are the perfect social chicken breed with an active temperament that will excite even the most cautious farmer. They are attentive and can be very curious. Such is their nature that they thrive best in a loving and caring atmosphere.
The Andalusian chicken breed is famous for laying large chalk-white eggs. If you farm in harsh conditions or live in a colder climate, here’s something that will cheer you up; the Andalusian’s rugged nature enables it to withstand harsh weather conditions, including the coldest of climates.
If you plan on getting this breed, you should allow it to free-range within an ample space, as it tends to prefer freedom.
The Andalusian averages around 165 eggs per year and are very beginner-friendly. Andalusians are primarily egg layers, which makes them the ideal choice if you’re keeping flocks for eggs.
Andalusian Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 165 |
| Egg color | White |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Active |
| Dual purpose | No |
| Adult weight | 6lbs |
Australorp
The Australorp chicken breed is the perfect egg-laying machine. This variety of chicken lays around 300 light brown eggs per year. The Australorp’s silky, shiny colorful plumage gives it the look of an actual royal product.
You’ll find the Australorp to be habitually calm and friendly throughout the rearing endeavor. It is also very cold-tolerant and easy to handle.
We think it’s incredible that the Australorp fattens well and is dual purpose, despite being such a dependable large egg producer.
Australorp Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 300 |
| Egg color | Light brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Gentle |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 6lbs |
White Leghorn
The White Leghorn chicken breed originates from Italy and can lay up to 280 large white eggs per year. Leghorns love it when they can roam freely outdoors. So, it is vital to have a large chicken yard that gives them the freedom to do so.
Leghorns are extremely curious and like to be present everywhere. They come in many colors and provide a fantastic play of colors.
Leghorns thrive in all kinds of climate and are very good at avoiding predators outdoor. Leghorns generally fall under the category of dual-purpose chicken breeds.
If you’re a beginner, you’ll find this chicken variety to be easy to raise.
White Leghorn Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 280 |
| Egg color | White |
| Egg size | Medium |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Curious |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 5.5lbs |
Cream Legbar
Cute, intelligent, and friendly, the Cream Legbar chicken breed is a sight to behold. This flock type is available in gold, silver, or cream plumage.
Either of these colors alongside their fresh legs and single comb sends a rainbow of joy that reflects their bright, energetic, and fun nature. This makes them easy to handle even for first-time raisers.
Raising this hen is an enjoyable and exciting learning experience for the farmer, as it is active and enjoys free-ranging. Although they can quickly and easily adapt to indoor conditions.
The Cream Legbar might be an appropriate addition to your backyard flock if you’re looking for a beautiful forager that averages 150 eggs per year. The egg’s color can vary anywhere among blue, green, and cream. Cream Legbars are dual-purpose and hardy in winter.
Cream Legbar Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 150 |
| Egg color | Blue, green |
| Egg size | Medium to large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | energetic |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 5lbs |
Easter Egger
Easter Eggers are very popular among raisers because of the beauty and diversity of their nature and colorful eggs. They are mixed breeds originating from multiple chicken breeds. As a result, they are available in shades of black, white, dark brown, among others.
Easter Eggers can easily tolerate heat, cold, and all climates in-between. As a result, they can adapt to any geographical region. Easter Eggers lay around 280 eggs per year. Their egg colors range from blue-green to blue and green. About 10% of Easter Eggers lay eggs that Cream or light brown.
This variety of chicken possesses a docile and willing nature, with a friendly disposition towards humans and other animal species that have grown with them. The Easter Egger is predominantly an egg-laying bird, although they can serve as dual-purpose when necessary.
Easter Egger Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 280 |
| Egg color | Blue, green, pink |
| Egg size | Large to extra large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 5.5lbs |
Blue Plymouth Rock
Blue Plymouth Rock is a cross between Plymouth Rock and Native Andalusian. The bird’s lavender and blue-gray plumage looks beautiful and immediately catches the eye.
The hen lays around 300 large brown eggs per year. Its eggs can be up to 2.0 oz large. The Blue Plymouth Rock is dual purpose and exceptionally hardy, as it tolerates hot and cold climates very well.
Its hardiness and the fact that it adjusts well to both outdoor and indoor conditions make this bird super easy to raise. The blue plymouth rock looks very similar to a sapphire gem. Depending on who you’re talking to, they just might be the same bird!
Blue Plymouth Rock Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 300 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | curious |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 5.5lbs |
ISA Browns
With the ISA Browns, what you might be considering is an exceptionally people-friendly, affectionate, and low-maintenance hybrid breed for keeps in hot and cold weather conditions. Also, ISA Browns cope well with weather elements such as rain, hail, or shine.
This breed is popular among raisers thanks to its ability to consistently produce high volumes of eggs – around 285 to 300 large brown eggs per year. ISA Browns are primarily grown for egg production purposes.
ISA Browns Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 285 – 300 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile, gentle |
| Dual purpose | No |
| Adult weight | 3.5lbs |
Click here to see our ISA Browns complete breed guide.
Barnevelder
This breed is originally from the Netherlands. The Barnevelder is calm, super cute, friendly, and has other unique personalities that you can discover by playing with them.
Barnies, as they are also known, are a favorite among farmers due to their ability to lay eggs all winter long. You can expect a yearly out of around 200 dark brown eggs.
This chicken breed is sure to impress you if you’re looking for a hen that’s cold-hardy and easy to raise. It will make even more of an excellent variety of hen to add to your flock if you favor dual-purpose breeds.
Barnevelder Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 200 |
| Egg color | Dark brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Gentle |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 6lbs |
Buff Orpington
If you’re considering keeping Orpingtons, we can assure you that you will fall in love with their warm disposition. The chicken quickly develops into a friendly and easy-going breed that gets along well with everyone and everything.
The Orpington is both a top layer and excellent meat variety. It can produce up to 300 eggs per year. Orpington’s light brown eggs are medium-large. Their soft, plentiful feather enables them to tolerate cold easily. Their easy-going nature makes Orpingtons excellent for a beginner chicken breed.
Buff Orpington Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 300 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Medium to large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | warm, gentle |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 7lbs |
Belgian d’Uccle
The Belgian d’Uccle is one of the most amazing and priceless jewels of the avian world. As the name implies, the bird originates from Uccle, Belgium.
Their vibrant and energetic character matches the outward colorfulness of their finely woven feathers. This breed is perfect for individuals who are looking to throw in a lively pet that adds some charm to the coop rather than a hen known for its egg-laying prowess.
The Belgian d’Uccle lays around 100 cream or tinted-shelled eggs per annum. Though it isn’t cold-hardy, this breed tolerates heat very well. Belgian d’Uccle is famous for having a calm disposition. It is also very beginner-friendly.
Belgian d’Uccle Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 100 |
| Egg color | Cream |
| Egg size | Small |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | No |
| Temperament | Vibrant, friendly, flighty |
| Dual purpose | No |
| Adult weight | 1.3lbs |
Sussex
The Sussex breed is famed for being a dependable egg-producing chicken. It enjoys roaming around the yard and can be curious and enthusiastic, looking out for anything that can make its life more sparkling.
The bird can lay between 200 to 250 light-brown-colored eggs each year. Sussex is hardy in winter and can be very docile.
Its friendliness, willingness, and keenness could be an advantage for you, as it enables you to strengthen the human-animal bond by allowing you more and better quality time with your valued bird friend. The Sussex is a graceful dual-purpose breed.
Sussex Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 200 – 250 |
| Egg color | Light brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 7lbs |
Buckeye
Buckeyes are a reasonably generous chicken breed when it comes to egg production. They produce around 200 brown eggs per year. They lay even in the coldest weather. They are also fattening enough to meet your daily meat requirements.
The dual-purpose bird originates from the USA as a result of a crossbreed involving, Buff Cochins, Barred Plymouth Rocks, and black-breasted red games.
The Buckeye is hugely cold-hardy and a very dependable friend with a dynamic personality: proud, bold, curious, and very active. Raising a Buckeye can be a smooth and refreshing experience, even for a beginner.
Ameraucana Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 200 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Medium |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Bold, curious |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 5lbs |
Cornish
Cornish chickens originate from Cornwall in England and are bred primarily for meat production purposes. Cornishes measure anywhere from 2.5 to 3.8kg in size. They produce between 160 to 180 small, brown eggs each year.
That said, the Cornish chicken breed has a reputation of being a troublemaker who makes enemies due to its aggressive personality. The Cornish also shows a good character, though, as it assumes a caring capacity when nurturing its young.
Despite their seemingly tough stance, Cornishes can be reasonably easy to handle even for a beginner. Like most birds originating from England, the Cornish chicken variety is extremely winter hardy.
Cornish Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 160 – 180 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Small |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 5.5lbs |
Brahma
If you’re looking for a chicken with a super friendly, very calm temperament to add to your backyard flock, you most likely won’t go wrong with a Brahma. Its gentle disposition makes it an excellent pet.
The Brahma’s large size makes it ideal for meat production, but it can lay around 120 to 150 brown eggs per annum.
The Brahma is very dense and usually black, dark, white, light, or gold, with strikingly beautiful textures but also comes with blue-Columbian or buff-Columbian features.
Brahmas are dual-purpose, tough, thrive in the bitterly cold winter, and will reward you with a large 9.9 lbs of meat when necessary.
Brahma Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 120 – 150 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Gentle |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 9.9lbs |
Cochin
The Cochin chicken breed is docile, sensitive, gentle, and attaches to humans. The Cochin’s big, fluffy nature makes it an excellent addition to the flock if you’re looking for a suitable pet for your child.
But it’s no slouch when it comes to egg production either. You can expect to collect anywhere between 150 to 180 medium-sized brown eggs annually.
Cochins are a show chickens due to their attractive appearance. But their large size (3-5kg) and above-average egg return make them excellent candidates for the dual-purpose category. Besides, they have a good tolerance for cold and are incredibly beginner-friendly.
Cochin Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 150 – 180 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Medium |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile, sensitive, gentle |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 8.5lbs |
Minorca
The Minorca is a delightfully beautiful chicken breed with tolerable egg-producing power. They make around 120 large, white shelled eggs per year. This breed, while they like to free-range, love human contact.
Minorcas are very tolerant of unfavorable conditions. So whether the weather is dry or wet, hot or windy, you can rest assured that they can cope very well.
You’ll find that the Minorca is shy, very active, friendly, and docile. And for these reasons, it makes a terrific company of choice for families with children and the elderly. Minorcas are primarily grown for egg production, show, as well as ornamental purposes, as well as for meat consumption.
Minorca Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 120 |
| Egg color | White |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile, shy, active |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 7.5lbs |
Ancona
The Ancona is a small chicken with high egg-producing power. It lays between 180 to 220 large eggs per year. Pullets typically begin to lay eggs as early as five months of age. And for this reason, Anconas are mainly bred for egg production. Anconas are less likely to go broody. So it is necessary to incubate the eggs.
The Ancona also loves to explore its surroundings to discover worms and tasty grubs. So it is crucial to free range it so that it can have a higher quality of life. Besides, Anconas are tough enough to survive freezing temperatures.
Overall, the Ancona is a warm, vibrant bird with a flighty personality. Also, it can be intensely energetic and flighty while aging.
Ancona Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 180 – 220 |
| Egg color | White |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Skittish, energetic |
| Dual purpose | Can be (mostly egg though) |
| Adult weight | 4.6lbs |
Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is a very robust dual-purpose chicken breed that is so named because of its Rhode Island links. The variety was developed by crossing Leghorn, Red Malay Game, and Asiatic stock in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. They are highly sought after mainly for being prolific layers as well as their exceptional ability to survive all climatic climates.
The Rhode Island Red chicken can make up to 300 large brown eggs each year. Despite being such egg-cellent layers, Rhode Islands are capable meat producers, as they’re large enough to process extra roosters and older hens for consumption.
The Rhode Islands are unbelievably friendly to people around, easy to raise, and inquisitive. Its calm and warm personality would cause anyone to think that the Rhode Island Red is the epitome of tranquility. While that’s not further from the truth, the bird can also be aggressive and challenging to handle.
Rhode Island Red Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 300 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes but can be a challenging bird |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Friendly, can be challenging |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 6.5lbs |
New Hampshire
The New Hapshire chicken breed was developed from the Rhode Island Red chicken breed in the state of New Hampshire in the United States. This breed is known for its rapidly growing feathers and is popular among farmers raising birds in both free-range and confined systems.
Hardy in winter, New Hampshires adjust well to whatever condition they’re put through and can serve your meat and egg requirements quite sufficiently. The New Hampshire produces around 200 large brown eggs per year.
New Hampshires are available in white and black variations and a dual-purpose breed. However, they tend to produce more meat due to their abundance in this area.
New Hampshires possess a docile and willing nature, with a friendly disposition towards humans and other animal species.
New Hampshire Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 200 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile, gentle |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 6.4lbs |
Wyandotte
Wyandottes are energetic, reliable, docile, smart, and smoothly raised. Their wide array of color patterns makes them popular as show birds. Wyandottes are a rare chicken breed with origins from the United States.
They average around 200 brown or tinted eggs per annum. Wyandottes thrive in cold weather and are excellent brooders. They are easy to raise and are not known to show any apparent aggressiveness towards their handlers. Wyandottes are the first American breed purposely bred to be dual purpose.
Wyandotte Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 200 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | docile, energetic |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 7lbs |
Welsummer
Welsummers are a popular dual-purpose bred. Weighing around 3 to 4 kg, the Welsummer’s massive size makes it suitable for meat production. Welsummer hens produce approximately 160 large, dark brown eggs per year.
What encourages most farmers with Welsummers is the fact that they have a great personality. They are happy, friendly free-rangers that require less attention. Welsummers are perfect for cold climates, as they tend to roost close together at night. Welsummers get along well with other animals.
Welsummer Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 160 |
| Egg color | Dark brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | happy, friendly |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 5.5lbs |
Sebright
A beautiful British breed named after Sir John Sebright – a member of the British Parliament, this chicken comes in varying shades of golden laced, silver laced, buff laced breeds.
Their fantastic feathers and unique features will make your flock stand out from the rest. Hence, they tend to be suitable for ornamental purposes.
Sebright hens lay some respectable 60–80 small, creamy-white eggs, which is fair when you consider their reputation as non-prominent egg producers. Suffice also to mention that this bird species has a high tolerance for all climates.
Temperament wise, Sebrights are friendly, shy, easy to hand, and can be quite “flighty”.
Sebright Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 60 – 80 |
| Egg color | Creamy white |
| Egg size | Small |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | friendly, flighty |
| Dual purpose | No, mostly ornamental |
| Adult weight | 1.2lbs |
Bresse
The Bresse boasts a reputation that includes being the most expensive and one of the tastiest chickens in the world. The beautiful patterns of this multi-colored feathering come in different varieties of black, white, and gray.
Bresses are grown primarily for meat, but also make a generous amount of eggs. The Bresse produces between 160 to 250 cream-colored eggs per year and is cold hardy. Bresses have a generally calm and peaceful personality.
They grow slower than other chicken breeds. However, they are not the most manageable chickens to care for. To encourage their growth, Bresses are fed rich pasture and finished on organic grains and dairy products – which makes them high maintenance.
Bresses are grown under close supervision. But as they grow, they’re allowed to free-range within a larger area.
Bresse Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 200 – 250 |
| Egg color | Cream |
| Egg size | Medium to large |
| Beginner friendly | Not typically |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Peaceful, gentle |
| Dual purpose | Yes (tastiest meat) |
| Adult weight | 5.5lbs |
Cubalaya
A rare breed, the Cubalaya is a multipurpose, beautiful, and uniquely built chicken breed meat production, egg production, and for ornamental purposes. The bird is the result of a cross between European game fowls and Philippines oriental fowls.
The pea combs, red earlobes, and wattles of the rooster makes for a majestic sight. The down-curving tail and the distinctiveness of the hen’s plumage accentuate a look that is both colorful and captivating.
The Cubalaya is warm, calm, and easy to handle. This temperament endears the breed to farmers and makes growing it such an enjoyable experience.
The Cubalaya lays around 250 medium-sized, light-brown eggs per year and can adapt well to all climate conditions. Cubalayas are outgoing, noisy, and can sometimes be aggressive.
Raising this chicken breed requires a great deal of patience, however, as it takes up to three years for them to reach full maturity.
Cubalaya Chicken Breed Quick Facts
| Number of eggs/year | 250 |
| Egg color | Light brown |
| Egg size | Medium |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Cold hardy | Yes |
| Temperament | Outgoing, calm |
| Dual purpose | Yes |
| Adult weight | 4lbs |
Conclusion
There you have it, 25 best chicken breeds to consider raising whether you’re an advanced or beginner raiser. Which of them would you consider going for? Do you feel there’s any remarkable chicken breed we missed out? Please let us know in the comment box below.
