How to Choose Backyard Chicken Breeds
With so many chicken breeds, how do you decide which are the best for your backyard flock? Here are some factors to use when making your choices.
I have a prediction to make.
I predict that sometime in the next few months you’re going to find yourself casually strolling through the farm and garden store, when suddenly like the Siren’s from mythology you find yourself within earshot of a familiar sweet sound that lures you in for just a peek at the sweet little balls of downy fluff that are making the peeps.
You’re already a goner. It won’t be long till you have a box at your feet on your way back home.
It’s ok. It has happened to all of us.
In our home, I combat the temptation by knowing that our chicks are already on order and I don’t need “that many.” (Or do I?) We let the children get the poultry catalog and circle their favorite chicken breeds.
Not always a good idea if you are limited on space in the chicken coop, but we let them run free with the Sharpie and then discuss with them why they should make a different choice if the one they picked isn’t a good fit for our homestead. We still end up with a few birds that aren’t necessarily the best decision, but for a few bucks, I’m willing to indulge them.
Of course, the question isn’t “Should I get backyard chickens?” That has long been settled. We all know that you only need one reason to get a flock of hens. The question is, and oh is it ever a difficult one, “Which chicken breeds should I get?”
How to Choose Backyard Chicken Breeds
There are several factors that go into choosing the best chicken breeds for your backyard which you should keep in mind whether you find yourself in the farm store, circling breeds in a catalog, or shopping online.
Purpose
What are you looking for in a chicken? Do you want eggs, meat, or both?
Meat
Selection for meat chickens has really increased over the last few years thanks to consumer demand for hardier breeds than Cornish Cross. Some of the new varieties can even thrive solely on forage and lay a moderate amount of eggs. We have had Ranger Broilers live for years (solely on forage during the summer) and lay eggs.
Breeds to Consider for Meat:
- Cornish Cross
- Freedom Ranger
Eggs
Egg-laying is the most common reason people get chickens. Many people may not realize that there are more purposes for those cute chicks you see in the farm stores. The selection of egg layers is vast as well. From white eggs, light brown, dark brown eggs, to blue and green eggs of an Easter egger, small, medium, large, to jumbo… sometimes the variety of colors and sizes can be overwhelming.
Good egg production is covered further in this article.
Dual-Purpose Breed
Dual-purpose birds are those that will lay bountifully and yet have a bit meatier frame than many other layers. (Especially the roosters will make good meat.) It will take them at least 6 months to reach maturity and get to the point where they are large enough to harvest, but typically you would allow these birds to lay for two years until their production really begins to wane and then harvest them for your winter meals.
At this point, those birds will be best for soup, stews, Chicken & Dumplings, but if you’re harvesting an older bird, you simply MUST try my Old Hen in Parsley Sauce recipe. It will take that tough old bird and make it fall-off-the-bone-tender and full of rich amazing flavor!
Breeds to Consider for Dual Purpose:
- Jersey Giants
- Brahma
- Orpingtons
- Turkens
Production
Some hens lay more than others. Though we all love our heritage birds, the fact is that most heritage breeds won’t lay as well as some of the sex-linked crosses. And in my experience, the higher production heritage birds aren’t as hardy and long-lived. I always have a couple Gold Comets or Black Stars in my flock to fill in the gaps when the egg production of the heritage breeds I love begins to wane.
Breeds to Consider:
- Black Star
- Gold Comet
- Isa Brown
- White Leghorn
Hardiness
Not all of us live in a temperate climate and many breeds of chickens are not well suited to cold climates or extreme heat. If you live in an area that has temperatures below freezing, choose breeds with smaller combs and wattles. Wyandottes, with their rose combs, make a great choice.
Breeds to Consider for Hardiness:
- Wyandottes
- Barred Rock
- Buckeye
- Speckled Sussex
- Australorp
Friendly
Some folks just want eggs, and some folks want a pet with perks. Some breeds simply won’t tolerate being handled, are flighty, or simply don’t want to get to know the hand that feeds them a little better. There are many breeds however that love their people or make great chickens for children to care for. They have calm, friendly temperaments.
Breeds to Consider for Temperament:
- Australorp
- Brahma
- Black Star
Broodiness
For years we wanted to get a more sustainable flock. (In other words, we wanted care-free baby chicks!) Chicks that are hatched and cared for by their mama are amazingly resilient. A good setter is a valuable asset to the flock.
No brooder lamps, no medicated chick feeder, we finally have mama hens that will go broody and hatch and care for their eggs with remarkably little input and expense. We found that once we had broody mamas, their mama-raised babies were more likely to go broody and be good mothers themselves.
Breeds to Consider for Broodiness:
- Australorp
- Sussex
- Cochin
- Maran
Confinement
Free-ranging has its pros and cons. (Bird poop on the front porch ya’ll. It ain’t for everyone.) For the urban or suburban homesteader, confinement raised hens are your only option.
Thankfully, some of the highest producing hens also do really well while being cooped up. This means you can have fewer hens and still get the same amount of eggs!
Breeds to Consider for Confinement:
- White Leghorn
- Orpington
- Rhode Island Red
Appearance
Sure I love production and efficiency, but I’m inspired by pretty. There are choices between a single comb or rose comb, yellow or dark beaks, giants or bantams, white plumage, black plumage or a variety of other colors. Whether it’s their beautiful speckled or penciled feathers, feathered feet, hooded face feathers, a naked neck, or full bodies, I love a beautiful, varied flock of hens. These are the kind of chickens you will find in poultry shows.
Breeds to Consider for Appearance:
- Ancona
- Frizzle
- Silkie
- Wyandottes
- Cochins
- Cream Legbar
Free-Ranging
Eggs from free range chickens are proven to be healthier. Most likely, this has to do with sunshine and a varied diet (chickens are omnivores, not vegetarians). Some breeds forage better than others, though I find that most breeds do really well on their own.
Others, while they may range well, aren’t able to be as wary of predators as other breeds because of their feathers. If you’re going to have a free-ranging flock, avoid hooded birds that can’t see overhead predators and run for shelter.
Breeds to Consider for Ranging Ability:
- Ancona
- Minorca
- Araucana
- Buckeye
Egg Color
Some hens are beautiful on the outside, some on the inside. (Some both!) Baskets and cartons of rainbow colored eggs are stunning and I find that they encourage the children to go looking when free ranging hens hide their eggs. (Remember when I said free ranging had cons? That’s one of them.)
Breeds to Consider for Egg Color:
- French Maran
- Ameraucana
- Araucana
- Olive Egger
Price
As more of us are drawn towards rarity, beauty, and colorful eggs, prices are beginning to rise. (Some shockingly so.) If you’re on a tight budget, there are many breeds that are financially friendly and thankfully they’re also high producers.
Breeds to Consider for Price:
- Black Star
- Golden Comet
- Rhode Island Red
What are your favorite chicken breeds & why do you love them so much?
Selinda
More Resources:
Comprehensive Chicken Breeds Chart
The Essential Homesteader’s Guide: Animal Husbandry
My favorite chicken is the Brahmas.They are calm, friendly and make great pets for families.They are good for meat .
I love Brahamas too! The nicest rooster we’ve ever had was a Buff Brahma and I always try to have one or two in the flock 😀
I just picked up some Ameraucanas and Brahmas to join my white Orpingtons in the backyard (I live right in the middle of town), chickens are addictive. They are so sweet though, ours come running to be petted when anyone sits down on the grass (which scares people the first time, several 7lb chickens running at them).
It’s surprising at first how friendly they can be! Certainly adds to the enjoyment. Good luck with your additions (and keeping the addiction under control-lol!)
One of my favorite breeds is bielefelder. They are docile, and will be good dual purpose. We will be trying lavender orphingtons later this year too.
I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of those before. I had to look them up- what stunning markings! “large meaty carcasses, huge eggs, autosexing function, gentle temperaments, and beautiful feathers” I’m adding these to my must-try list. Thanks for sharing! Lavender’s are so gorgeous! Last year we had a farm-hatched hen come out that soft, beautiful lavender color. She’s my new fave 🙂