Guide on What Chicken Breed To Choose – BarnCoop

Here is a complete guide on what chicken breed to choose.

If you are considering poultry farming of any kind, choosing the right breed of chicken can prove to be a challenging task – specifically for beginners.

We have a lot of different breeds of chicken needless to say hundreds of them.

The first step is the decision process and a lot of things to consider; your lifestyle, the amount of space you have, the weather condition, and the right reason you are looking to rear one perhaps for meat, their egg, or merely as a pet.

Choosing The Right Breed Of Chicken

Choosing the right chicken breed is crucial for backyard farmers and homesteaders.

The breed you select can influence the number of eggs and meat you get, the chicken’s personality, and even how well they can adapt to the local climate. In this article, we will provide a guide on what chicken breed to choose, taking into account important factors such as egg production, temperament, and adaptability.

Purpose:

The first step in choosing the right chicken breed is to determine your purpose for raising chickens. Are you raising them for meat or eggs? Or are you interested in a dual-purpose breed that can provide both? Each breed has been selectively bred for a specific purpose, so knowing your purpose can help you narrow down your options.

If you want to focus on egg production, there are several breeds known for their high egg-laying abilities. For example, Leghorns are known for their production of white eggs and are one of the most popular egg-laying breeds. Rhode Island Reds are another popular choice, known for their hardiness and ability to produce brown eggs consistently. Plymouth Rocks are also good egg layers and known for their friendly personalities.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in raising chickens for meat, there are specific breeds that have been bred for their meat quality and growth rates. The Cornish Cross is a hybrid breed that has been specifically bred for meat production and is often used in commercial operations. The Jersey Giant is a purebred breed that grows very large and has excellent meat quality.

If you’re interested in a dual-purpose breed, there are several options to consider. The Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, and Sussex are all good options that produce a good amount of eggs while also having meat that is suitable for consumption.

Overall, determining your purpose for raising chickens is the first step in choosing the right breed. It’s important to consider your specific needs and goals for raising chickens before making a decision.

Egg Production:

If your primary goal is to have a consistent supply of fresh eggs, then you will want to focus on breeds that are known for their egg-laying abilities. The most popular egg-laying breeds are the Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, and Plymouth Rock. Other excellent egg-laying breeds include the Sussex, Australorp, and Orpington.

Meat Production:

If you are interested in raising chickens for meat, then you will want to choose a breed that grows quickly and has good meat quality. Some of the best meat breeds are the Cornish Cross, which is a hybrid breed that has been specifically bred for meat production, and the Jersey Giant, which is a purebred breed that grows to be very large and has excellent meat quality.

Temperament:

Another important consideration when choosing a chicken breed is the temperament. Some breeds are more docile and friendly, while others are more aggressive and territorial. If you have children or plan to handle your chickens frequently, you will want to choose a breed that is known for being calm and friendly. Breeds like the Orpington, Sussex, and Plymouth Rock are known for their friendly personalities. On the other hand, breeds like the Gamefowl and Old English Game are known to be aggressive.

Adaptability:

When choosing a chicken breed, it’s important to consider your local climate and environment. Some breeds are better suited for cold weather, while others are better adapted to hot climates. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to choose a breed like the Rhode Island Red or the Wyandotte, which are known for their hardiness in cold weather. If you live in a hotter climate, breeds like the Leghorn, Minorca, or Ancona might be a good choice.

Egg Color and Appearance:

For some backyard chicken farmers, egg color and appearance can be a fun factor in their decision. If you want a variety of colorful eggs, breeds like the Ameraucana, Easter Egger, and Marans can provide shades of blue, green, and chocolate-brown eggs. Additionally, some breeds like the Silkie have unique feathering and appearance.

In conclusion, choosing the right chicken breed depends on several factors such as purpose, egg or meat production, temperament, adaptability, egg color, and appearance. Whether you are a novice or experienced chicken farmer, it’s important to research and consider all of these factors before making your decision. With the right breed, you can enjoy the benefits of fresh eggs or meat, a friendly and docile flock, and a beautiful addition to your backyard farm.

As mentioned above, you need to decide the right reason you intend to raise chickens before anything else, and then you move on to these;

* If you wish to raise chicken for the sole purpose of egg production, then you choose among breeds of chicken that are high egg-producing then look to the calm kinds if you intend on raising them purely as pets.

Meat Producing Breeds

For chicken breeds that grow fast and have succulent meat, you should look toward rearing any of these breeds; The Jersey Giants, the Cornish, Red Ranger, Freedom Ranger, and The Brahma; for these are perfect breeds for meat production.

When it comes to raising chickens, whether for their meat, eggs, or for exhibition, choosing the right breed is crucial. With hundreds of different breeds available, each with their unique characteristics, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to choose. Some breeds are more suited for meat production, while others excel in laying eggs, and some breeds are ideal for exhibition or show. In this guide, we will focus on ten of the best chicken breeds for each of these three purposes, to help you choose the right breed that suits your specific needs and preferences.

Here are ten chicken breeds that are popular choices for meat production:

1. Cornish Cross: This hybrid breed has been specifically bred for meat production and is one of the most popular choices for commercial meat production.
2. Broilers: Broilers are another hybrid breed that is specifically bred for meat production and are known for their fast growth rate and efficient feed conversion.
3. Sussex: The Sussex breed is a dual-purpose breed that is known for its meat quality and is a popular choice for backyard meat production.
4. Jersey Giant: This purebred breed is one of the largest breeds of chickens and is known for its meat quality, making it a great choice for backyard meat production.
5. Plymouth Rock: The Plymouth Rock breed is a popular choice for both meat and egg production and is known for its meat quality.
6. Rhode Island Red: This breed is known for its hardiness and consistent production of brown eggs, but it also has good meat quality, making it a great choice for backyard meat production.
7. Buff Orpington: The Buff Orpington breed is a popular choice for backyard meat production because of its large size, meat quality, and docile temperament.
8. New Hampshire: This breed is a good choice for backyard meat production because of its meat quality and efficient growth rate.
9. Australorp: The Australorp breed is known for its egg-laying abilities, but it also has good meat quality and is a popular choice for backyard meat production.
10. Sussex: The Sussex breed is known for its meat quality and is a popular choice for both commercial and backyard meat production.

Egg Producing Breeds

If you’re after their freshly laid eggs, you can choose from any of these breeds; Campine, Rhode Island, Leghorn, Buff Orpington, Hamburg, Fayoumi, Plymouth Rock Chickens…, these breeds of chicken produce eggs almost daily.

Here are ten chicken breeds that are popular choices for egg production:

1. Leghorn: Leghorns are one of the most popular breeds for egg production because they are efficient layers of large, white eggs.
2. Rhode Island Red: This breed is a popular choice for backyard egg production because they lay large, brown eggs consistently.
3. Plymouth Rock: Plymouth Rocks are good layers of large brown eggs and are also known for their docile temperament, making them a popular choice for backyard flocks.
4. Sussex: Sussex chickens are known for their calm and friendly personalities, as well as their ability to lay large, brown eggs consistently.
5. Australorp: Australorps are known for their excellent egg-laying abilities, producing large, brown eggs on a consistent basis.
6. Orpington: The Orpington breed is a dual-purpose breed that is known for its large size and calm temperament, as well as its ability to lay a good number of brown eggs.
7. Wyandotte: Wyandottes are popular for their attractive appearance and their ability to lay large, brown eggs consistently.
8. Barred Rock: Barred Rocks are a hardy breed that is known for its egg-laying abilities, producing large brown eggs on a consistent basis.
9. Easter Egger: This breed is popular for its ability to lay colorful eggs in shades of blue, green, or pink, making it a popular choice for backyard flocks.
10. Sussex: The Sussex breed is known for its meat quality, but it’s also a good layer of large, brown eggs, making it a popular choice for dual-purpose flocks.

Meat And Egg Producing Breed

Well, if you’re after a combination of these two, these breeds should be on your checklist;

Australorp, Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Sussex, Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire Red, The Buff Orpington, these breeds are very good for dual-purpose production.

Here are ten chicken breeds that are popular choices for both meat and egg production:

1. Rhode Island Red: This breed is a popular choice for backyard flocks because they are good layers of large brown eggs and also have good meat quality.
2. Plymouth Rock: Plymouth Rocks are a dual-purpose breed that are known for their calm temperament, good egg-laying abilities, and good meat quality.
3. Sussex: Sussex chickens are a great choice for backyard flocks because they are friendly and easy to handle, lay large brown eggs consistently, and have good meat quality.
4. Australorp: Australorps are a popular choice for backyard flocks because they are excellent layers of large brown eggs and also have good meat quality.
5. Orpington: Orpingtons are a dual-purpose breed that are known for their large size, calm temperament, and good meat quality, as well as their ability to lay a good number of brown eggs.
6. Wyandotte: Wyandottes are known for their attractive appearance, good egg-laying abilities, and good meat quality, making them a great choice for backyard flocks.
7. Barred Rock: Barred Rocks are a hardy breed that is known for their egg-laying abilities and good meat quality, making them a popular choice for backyard flocks.
8. Easter Egger: Easter Eggers are popular for their ability to lay colorful eggs and also have good meat quality, making them a great choice for backyard flocks.
9. Cornish Cross: Cornish Crosses are a hybrid breed that have been specifically bred for meat production and are popular in commercial meat production.
10. Freedom Ranger: Freedom Rangers are another popular hybrid breed that is specifically bred for both meat and egg production, making them a great choice for backyard flocks.

For Pets 

To raise them as pets, the bantam varieties of chickens are all friendly and are a good pick.

There are a lot more types of chicken breeds out there. However, this article focused on what chicken breed to choose should point you in the right direction in your hunt for the right chicken breed.

Here are ten chicken breeds that are popular choices as pets:

1. Silkie: Silkies are a unique and charming breed known for their fluffy plumage, friendly personalities, and motherly instincts.
2. Bantam: Bantams are a smaller-sized chicken breed that are ideal for backyard flocks because they are easy to handle, friendly, and come in a variety of colors.
3. Cochin: Cochins are a large breed known for their gentle and docile nature, making them a great choice for families with children.
4. Polish: Polish chickens are known for their distinctive crests and friendly personalities, making them a popular choice for backyard flocks.
5. Frizzle: Frizzles are a unique breed that have curly feathers, making them stand out in any flock. They are also friendly and easy to handle.
6. Serama: Seramas are a small-sized chicken breed known for their friendly personalities and adorable appearance, making them an ideal choice for pet owners.
7. Ameraucana: Ameraucanas are a popular choice for backyard flocks because they are friendly, easy to handle, and lay colorful blue or green eggs.
8. Sebright: Sebrights are a small-sized chicken breed known for their striking feather patterns and friendly personalities, making them a great choice for pet owners.
9. Sussex: Sussex chickens are friendly, easy to handle, and come in a variety of colors, making them a great choice for backyard flocks.
10. Faverolles: Faverolles are a gentle and docile breed that are known for their fluffy plumage and friendly personalities, making them a great choice for families with children.

For Expo or Shows