Top 5 Backyard Chicken Breeds
More and more people are turning to home-grown food, food grown in their own backyards, and can you blame them? More than anybody else (except perhaps for your own mother), you care about what you put into your mouth and what effect it has on your health.
You pay the bills, and food prices are at an all time high! But you also want value for your money.
You don't want chemicals in your food and you don't want to buy month-old eggs from the grocery store.
You want safe and clean eggs and meat that are both nutritious and delicious.
If you're already one of millions of backyard farmers, we salute you.
No tomato tastes as good as that vine-ripened heirloom that you picked and ate while still warm from the sun.
But you can have much more.
If you haven't tried raising your own little flock, and eaten an egg that just been laid, it's about time to check out the fun of raising chickens in your backyard.
Choosing the right breed(s) can spell success or failure in the world backyard chicken keeping.
But before jumping into choosing the breeds of your flock, you have to spell out your expectations in your new venture as a backyard chicken "farmer.
" Do you want to raise chickens primarily for eggs, primarily for meat, or for both meat and eggs? Is it windy and cold or hot and sultry in your corner of the world and do you want chickens that can take it? Do you have neighbors who are sensitive to noise? Do you have a young child? Then remember these as the things you have to consider when reviewing chicken information choosing the best breeds that are best for you.
If you are interested primarily in egg production, you should find out how many eggs a breed usually produces in a month or year and even the color and size of the eggs, which can be important if you want to sell them.
When reviewing chicken data, look for, "eggs per year".
This information will be very important to you and assist you in determining how many hens you want.
If you want to raise chicken primarily for their meat, then you have to consider the size and weight of an adult bird of a particular breed and select the best chickens for meat production.
Many backyard chicken enthusiasts want both chickens for laying eggs and chickens for meat, so you may resort to dual purpose breeds that can provide both to your satisfaction.
You also have to consider how much care and attention a breed needs, its ability to withstand cold or heat, common diseases, if it requires free range conditions, and how well it adjusts to being kept in a coop.
Each breed, even each chicken may have its own quirks.
It may be docile and affectionate to people; it may be aggressive, nervous, and really noisy, which may create problems with other chickens or your neighbors and even your own family.
The following is a listing of breeds commonly valued for their eggs, meat, hardiness and temper.
Egg Machine Leghorns The White Leghorn is a small bird that lays almost 300 extremely large and white eggs a year.
The White Leghorn is definitely known as the one of the best breeds of chicken for eggs.
This could be the reason why this "egg machine" is also extremely nervous, panicky and noisy, does not like being confined to coops, and weighs only about 4 pounds as an adult.
Maybe not the best chickens for meat, but if you want eggs, then the White Leghorn delivers.
It was originally developed in Italy in Livorno (translation: leghorn) but has since expanded to form the foundation of the entire US egg industry and one of the most popular breeds for commercial, large scale egg production in the world.
It is not a robust breed and does not adjust well to extremely cold weather conditions.
There are currently 16 varieties of Leghorns recognized by the American Standard.
White Leghorns are currently used as both egg laying chickens and chickens for meat.
Dual Purpose Orpingtons Orpingtons can lay brown and large eggs thrice each week, or about 175-200 eggs per year.
It has become popular as a top breed of chicken for eggs and one of the best chickens for meat.
The adult male bird can reach up to 10 pounds in weight and the adult female up to 8 pounds.
The breed is also easy to take care of, being friendly and calm, and can withstand cold weather because of its thick feathers and large, hefty build.
Orpingtons are also broody and make good mothers.
The breed is named for Orpington, England where it was developed.
It is believed that the Orpington, at one time, would lay up to 340 eggs per year, however this attribute was bred out of them as breeders were looking for a more appealing appearance.
One of the most fantastic attributes of the Orpington is that they do NOT stop laying eggs in the winter.
This fact, in my opinion, makes them the best chicken for egg production in your backyard.
Even though they do not produce as many as other breeds, they consistently produce eggs for you.
Popular Plymouth Rocks The "Rocks" was the most popular breed in the US before World War II and it continues to be popular for the commercial production of broilers.
It was developed in New England and named for the town of Plymouth.
It is one of the best breeds for backyard farming-robust and hardy, docile and calm, a good producer of both eggs and meat, and a good mother.
An adult male can reach 9.
5 pounds while a female, 7.
5 pounds.
It lays about 200 eggs per year which are large and vary in color from light pink to dark brown.
The breed can adjust to cold weather well.
They do not need a lot of space but appreciates being allowed to move around freely.
They make good pets for children and a great family yard bird.
By 1882 the Plymouth Rock was declared the most popular breed of chicken in America, by The Complete Poultry Book.
The hardiness of the Plymouth Rock and docile nature, combined with its excellent egg and meat production made the Plymouth Rock highly popular in the states.
Thisdual purpose chicken is one of the best breeds of chicken for laying eggs.
Plymouth Rocks are known for laying eggs throughout the winter, however with decreased production.
They are a large bird, resulting in a great chicken for meat.
Plymouth Rocks come in many different colors with beautiful plumage.
The most common are the Barred Rock, named for the black and white bars on their feathers.
Friendly Reds The Rhode Island Red is a dual purpose breed that produces large brown eggs and good quality meat.
Birds can produce more than 200 brown eggs per year when healthy, and can continue to lay eggs when food and shelter are not adequate and during winter.
An adult male can weigh as much as 9 pounds and an adult female as much as 7 pounds.
A robust breed with colorful rust red and brown feathers, the Rhode Island Red is hardy enough to adjust to both heat and cold.
Although the Reds are usually good tempered, some can become aggressive toward strangers and children if they are provoked.
The breed originated in the village of Adamsville in Rhode Island in the middle of the 19th century, and is one of the oldest in the US.
Rhode Island Red's are a cross between Red Malay Games, Leghorns, and Asian stock.
The Rhode Island is also the state bird of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Reds are one of the most popular backyard chicken breeds, even to this day.
They are known for being one of the best chickens for laying eggs and for their ability to tolerate harsh winter environments.
The Rhode Island is a great dual purpose breed, which became very popular as one of the best breeds of chicken for eggs and a great chicken for meat.
Giant Brahmas Developed primarily for their meat, the Brahmas are very heavy (more than 12 pounds for males and 9.
5 pounds for females) but also lay medium size brown eggs three times a week, continuing to do so even during winter.
It is an attractive breed, with fluffy feathers, good tempered enough to make great pets.
They are also excellent for backyard chicken keepers, since they can tolerate being confined in a coop, however perform better when allowed to move outdoors.
Coloring can be black, buff and dark.
Some believe the breed came from India while others believe it was developed in California using a combination of Shanghai and Chittagong birds.
You pay the bills, and food prices are at an all time high! But you also want value for your money.
You don't want chemicals in your food and you don't want to buy month-old eggs from the grocery store.
You want safe and clean eggs and meat that are both nutritious and delicious.
If you're already one of millions of backyard farmers, we salute you.
No tomato tastes as good as that vine-ripened heirloom that you picked and ate while still warm from the sun.
But you can have much more.
If you haven't tried raising your own little flock, and eaten an egg that just been laid, it's about time to check out the fun of raising chickens in your backyard.
Choosing the right breed(s) can spell success or failure in the world backyard chicken keeping.
But before jumping into choosing the breeds of your flock, you have to spell out your expectations in your new venture as a backyard chicken "farmer.
" Do you want to raise chickens primarily for eggs, primarily for meat, or for both meat and eggs? Is it windy and cold or hot and sultry in your corner of the world and do you want chickens that can take it? Do you have neighbors who are sensitive to noise? Do you have a young child? Then remember these as the things you have to consider when reviewing chicken information choosing the best breeds that are best for you.
If you are interested primarily in egg production, you should find out how many eggs a breed usually produces in a month or year and even the color and size of the eggs, which can be important if you want to sell them.
When reviewing chicken data, look for, "eggs per year".
This information will be very important to you and assist you in determining how many hens you want.
If you want to raise chicken primarily for their meat, then you have to consider the size and weight of an adult bird of a particular breed and select the best chickens for meat production.
Many backyard chicken enthusiasts want both chickens for laying eggs and chickens for meat, so you may resort to dual purpose breeds that can provide both to your satisfaction.
You also have to consider how much care and attention a breed needs, its ability to withstand cold or heat, common diseases, if it requires free range conditions, and how well it adjusts to being kept in a coop.
Each breed, even each chicken may have its own quirks.
It may be docile and affectionate to people; it may be aggressive, nervous, and really noisy, which may create problems with other chickens or your neighbors and even your own family.
The following is a listing of breeds commonly valued for their eggs, meat, hardiness and temper.
Egg Machine Leghorns The White Leghorn is a small bird that lays almost 300 extremely large and white eggs a year.
The White Leghorn is definitely known as the one of the best breeds of chicken for eggs.
This could be the reason why this "egg machine" is also extremely nervous, panicky and noisy, does not like being confined to coops, and weighs only about 4 pounds as an adult.
Maybe not the best chickens for meat, but if you want eggs, then the White Leghorn delivers.
It was originally developed in Italy in Livorno (translation: leghorn) but has since expanded to form the foundation of the entire US egg industry and one of the most popular breeds for commercial, large scale egg production in the world.
It is not a robust breed and does not adjust well to extremely cold weather conditions.
There are currently 16 varieties of Leghorns recognized by the American Standard.
White Leghorns are currently used as both egg laying chickens and chickens for meat.
Dual Purpose Orpingtons Orpingtons can lay brown and large eggs thrice each week, or about 175-200 eggs per year.
It has become popular as a top breed of chicken for eggs and one of the best chickens for meat.
The adult male bird can reach up to 10 pounds in weight and the adult female up to 8 pounds.
The breed is also easy to take care of, being friendly and calm, and can withstand cold weather because of its thick feathers and large, hefty build.
Orpingtons are also broody and make good mothers.
The breed is named for Orpington, England where it was developed.
It is believed that the Orpington, at one time, would lay up to 340 eggs per year, however this attribute was bred out of them as breeders were looking for a more appealing appearance.
One of the most fantastic attributes of the Orpington is that they do NOT stop laying eggs in the winter.
This fact, in my opinion, makes them the best chicken for egg production in your backyard.
Even though they do not produce as many as other breeds, they consistently produce eggs for you.
Popular Plymouth Rocks The "Rocks" was the most popular breed in the US before World War II and it continues to be popular for the commercial production of broilers.
It was developed in New England and named for the town of Plymouth.
It is one of the best breeds for backyard farming-robust and hardy, docile and calm, a good producer of both eggs and meat, and a good mother.
An adult male can reach 9.
5 pounds while a female, 7.
5 pounds.
It lays about 200 eggs per year which are large and vary in color from light pink to dark brown.
The breed can adjust to cold weather well.
They do not need a lot of space but appreciates being allowed to move around freely.
They make good pets for children and a great family yard bird.
By 1882 the Plymouth Rock was declared the most popular breed of chicken in America, by The Complete Poultry Book.
The hardiness of the Plymouth Rock and docile nature, combined with its excellent egg and meat production made the Plymouth Rock highly popular in the states.
Thisdual purpose chicken is one of the best breeds of chicken for laying eggs.
Plymouth Rocks are known for laying eggs throughout the winter, however with decreased production.
They are a large bird, resulting in a great chicken for meat.
Plymouth Rocks come in many different colors with beautiful plumage.
The most common are the Barred Rock, named for the black and white bars on their feathers.
Friendly Reds The Rhode Island Red is a dual purpose breed that produces large brown eggs and good quality meat.
Birds can produce more than 200 brown eggs per year when healthy, and can continue to lay eggs when food and shelter are not adequate and during winter.
An adult male can weigh as much as 9 pounds and an adult female as much as 7 pounds.
A robust breed with colorful rust red and brown feathers, the Rhode Island Red is hardy enough to adjust to both heat and cold.
Although the Reds are usually good tempered, some can become aggressive toward strangers and children if they are provoked.
The breed originated in the village of Adamsville in Rhode Island in the middle of the 19th century, and is one of the oldest in the US.
Rhode Island Red's are a cross between Red Malay Games, Leghorns, and Asian stock.
The Rhode Island is also the state bird of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Reds are one of the most popular backyard chicken breeds, even to this day.
They are known for being one of the best chickens for laying eggs and for their ability to tolerate harsh winter environments.
The Rhode Island is a great dual purpose breed, which became very popular as one of the best breeds of chicken for eggs and a great chicken for meat.
Giant Brahmas Developed primarily for their meat, the Brahmas are very heavy (more than 12 pounds for males and 9.
5 pounds for females) but also lay medium size brown eggs three times a week, continuing to do so even during winter.
It is an attractive breed, with fluffy feathers, good tempered enough to make great pets.
They are also excellent for backyard chicken keepers, since they can tolerate being confined in a coop, however perform better when allowed to move outdoors.
Coloring can be black, buff and dark.
Some believe the breed came from India while others believe it was developed in California using a combination of Shanghai and Chittagong birds.