When assembling a new flock of chickens, the enormous array of breeds available to choose from can be daunting, but it’s important to make an informed decision about breeds in order to avoid disappointment for the chicken keeper as well as unnecessary challenges for the chickens. Some breeds do not fare well in certain climates, some are not a good choice for young children, some produce fewer eggs than others, etc. Below are some of the basic factors to consider in selecting breeds. After the basics are established, the field of  suitable breeds becomes much smaller and making choices becomes a much less daunting undertaking. Below are some of the basic factors to consider in selecting breeds. After the basics are established, the field of suitable breeds becomes much smaller and making choices becomes a much less daunting undertaking.

A Little Terminology

Most backyard chicken-keepers want laying hens, breeds that are reliable egg layers, not necessarily chickens that will be eaten, which are known as meat birds or table birds. When selecting breeds, the term “dual purpose” indicates that the breed of chicken is a good egg laying bird that may also be processed for meat. When good egg production is the objective, breeds that are known for being broody are not ideal because broody breeds often stop laying eggs in hopes of hatching chicks.

Freida is a White Silkie who would rather hatch eggs and raise chicks than do anything else and she is an amazing mother.

Freida is a White Silkie who would rather hatch eggs and raise chicks than do anything else and she is an amazing mother.

Some breeds cope better with cold weather than others, these are often referred to as cold hardy breeds. Breeds that fare better in very warm climates are referred to as heat tolerant.

1. Climate
Some breeds cope better with cold weather than others due to heavy feathering; these are referred to as cold hardy breeds. Breeds that fare better in very warm climates due to their lighter/shorter/sleeker feathering are referred to as heat tolerant.

Some breeds cope better with cold weather than others, these are often referred to as cold hardy breeds. Breeds that fare better in very warm climates are referred to as heat tolerant.
Sussex are a cold hardy breed.
Kate is a Speckled Sussex.

COLD HARDY BREEDS commonly include: Ameraucanas, Araucanas, Australorps, Brahamas, Buckeyes, Chantecler, Cochins, Delaware, Dominique, Faverolles, Jersey Giants, Marans, Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, New Hampshire Reds, Sussex and Easter Eggers (a hybrid).

Silver Laced Wyandotte, a cold hardy breed.
Silver Laced Wyandotte, a cold hardy breed.

HEAT TOLERANT BREEDS commonly include: Andalusians, Appenzeller Spitzhaubens, Campines, Cornish, (NOT to be confused with Cornish Rocks, which are a meat hybrid) d’Uccles, Egyptian Fayoumis, Hamburgs, Leghorns, Modern Game, Minorcas, Naked Necks, Polish, Shamo, Sicilian Buttercups, Silkies, Spanish, Welsummers.

Dark Cornish hen, heat tolerant breed.
Dark Cornish hen, heat tolerant breed.
Silver Spangled Hamburg, a heat tolerant breed.
Silver Spangled Hamburg, a heat tolerant breed.
Minor frostbite on the comb of this Black Copper Marans rooster.
Minor frostbite on the comb of this Black Copper Marans rooster.

Breeds with prominent combs can be expected to have more challenges with frostbite in very cold climates than breeds with smaller, less prominent combs. This is not to suggest that a heavy breed cannot live in a warm climate and a light breed cannot live in a cold climate, but seasonal accommodations would need to be made for birds better suited for a different climate such as in the case of the Marans rooster pictured above.

While each chicken is an individual with its own unique personality, generalizations can be made about breeds in much the same way as in dog breeds.

2. Temperament
While each chicken is an individual with its own unique personality, generalizations can be made about breeds in much the same way as in dog breeds.  If a household has small children where a docile, friendly dog is preferred, a feisty Chihuahua is likely not the best choice; likewise, a Hamburg would probably not be a good breed choice if one is hoping for a mellow lap chicken. Chickens are often characterized as being docile, flighty, calm, friendly and bearing confinement well or not.

While each chicken is an individual with its own unique personality, generalizations can be made about breeds in much the same way as in dog breeds.
Kate is my Speckled Sussex. She is very friendly, inquisitive and docile.
Stella, my Silver Spangled Hamburg is very flighty & doesn't bear confinement well.
Stella, my Silver Spangled Hamburg is very flighty & doesn’t bear confinement well

3. Egg Production Rate
The rate of egg production can also be generalized by breed. Some breeds are known for being prolific egg layers, producing 4 or more eggs per week, (Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Hamburgs) while others lay less frequently (eg: Silkies and Seabrights). If a family of five relies upon the eggs collected from the backyard flock, Silkies are likely not the right choice. My Silkie didn’t start laying eggs until she was 14 months old and averages five eggs per month. (she’s an extreme example, however)

Breeds from left to right: Barred Plymouth Rock, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Easter Egger, Blue Ameraucanas.
Breeds from left to right: Barred Plymouth Rock, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Easter Egger,  Blue Ameraucanas.
Barred Plymouth Rock
Barred Plymouth Rock

4. Egg Color
Each chicken produces a different egg color based upon genetics.  For some people, a colorful array of eggs is an important factor in breed selection, others, not so much. There are blue, green, dark chocolate brown, white and every hue in between to choose from. My neighbor insists on having a white egg-laying breed in her flock for the sole purpose of coloring eggs at Easter, while I prefer breeds that will produce fabulously colored eggs every day.

The rate of egg production can also be generalized by breed. Some breeds are known for being prolific egg layers, producing 4 or more eggs per week, (Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Hamburgs) while others lay less frequently (eg: Silkies and Seabrights).
Blue laced red wyandotte
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Silver Spangled Hamburg & Bantam frizzled Cochin.

This is a Blue Ameraucana– she produces beautiful blue eggs. Shop carefully for this purebred chicken as many breeders and hatcheries mis-label hybrid chickens as purebreds.

This is a Blue Ameraucana- she produces beautiful blue eggs. Shop carefully for this purebred chicken as many breeders and hatcheries mis-label hybrid chickens as purebreds.
This is an Easter Egger, which is a hybrid mix obtained from crossing a blue egg-laying breed with a brown egg-laying breed. While Esther produced a blue-green egg, Easter Eggers can lay a wide variety of colors from light brown to blue, olive green and everything in between.

This is an Easter Egger, which is a hybrid mix obtained from crossing a blue egg-laying breed with a brown egg-laying breed. While Esther produced a blue-green egg, Easter Eggers can lay a wide variety of colors from light brown to blue, olive green and everything in between.

Black Copper Marans. This breed is capable of laying dark chocolate brown eggs
Black Copper Marans. This breed is capable of laying dark chocolate brown eggs.
These eggs were from my Marans pullets.
These eggs were from my Marans pullets.

5. Broodiness
Some breeds are predisposed to hatching eggs more frequently than others. If a high rate of egg production is important, a broody breed such as Silkie or Cochin may not be the best choice. If one wishes to have hens hatch and raise chicks, broodiness is very important and either Silkies or Cochins are excellent choices.

Freida (White Silkie) with her Buff Orpington adopted chicks
Freida (White Silkie) with her Buff Orpington adopted chicks
Monica, a Black Cochin Frizzle, is a breed known for being broody.
Monica, a Black Cochin Frizzle, is a breed known for being broody.

The Breed I Need

After the five primary considerations are taken into account, the selection process is fun! Here are some of the fun breeds I felt I needed when chicken math set in!

White Crested Black Polish
White Crested Black Polish
Bantam Cochin Frizzle
Bantam Cochin Frizzle
My handsome Serama rooster. He was hatched from an egg I got from a breeder.
My handsome Serama rooster. He was hatched from an egg I got from a breeder.
The hen on the left is a Golden Laced Wyandotte
The hen on the left is a Golden Laced Wyandotte
Columbian Wyandotte
Columbian Wyandotte
White Leghorn Pullet
White Leghorn pullet.
Australorp (going through a rough molt!)
Australorp (going through a rough molt!)
Bantam Welsummer pullet.
Bantam Welsumer pullet.
Rhode Island Red
Rhode Island Red
Bantam Buff Brahma
Bantam Buff Brahma
Red Sex Link
Red Sex Link
Tips for Selecting Chicken Breeds-The Breed I Need!
eggs by breed

Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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When assembling a new flock of chickens, the enormous array of breeds available to choose from can be daunting, but it’s important to make an informed decision about breeds in order to avoid disappointment for the chicken keeper as well as unnecessary challenges for the chickens. Some breeds do not fare well in certain climates, some are not a good choice for young children, some produce fewer eggs than others, etc. Below are some of the basic factors to consider in selecting breeds. After the basics are established, the field of  suitable breeds becomes much smaller and making choices becomes a much less daunting undertaking. Below are some of the basic factors to consider in selecting breeds. After the basics are established, the field of suitable breeds becomes much smaller and making choices becomes a much less daunting undertaking.

A Little Terminology

Most backyard chicken-keepers want laying hens, breeds that are reliable egg layers, not necessarily chickens that will be eaten, which are known as meat birds or table birds. When selecting breeds, the term “dual purpose” indicates that the breed of chicken is a good egg laying bird that may also be processed for meat. When good egg production is the objective, breeds that are known for being broody are not ideal because broody breeds often stop laying eggs in hopes of hatching chicks.

Freida is a White Silkie who would rather hatch eggs and raise chicks than do anything else and she is an amazing mother.

Freida is a White Silkie who would rather hatch eggs and raise chicks than do anything else and she is an amazing mother.

Some breeds cope better with cold weather than others, these are often referred to as cold hardy breeds. Breeds that fare better in very warm climates are referred to as heat tolerant.

1. Climate
Some breeds cope better with cold weather than others due to heavy feathering; these are referred to as cold hardy breeds. Breeds that fare better in very warm climates due to their lighter/shorter/sleeker feathering are referred to as heat tolerant.

Some breeds cope better with cold weather than others, these are often referred to as cold hardy breeds. Breeds that fare better in very warm climates are referred to as heat tolerant.
Sussex are a cold hardy breed.
Kate is a Speckled Sussex.

COLD HARDY BREEDS commonly include: Ameraucanas, Araucanas, Australorps, Brahamas, Buckeyes, Chantecler, Cochins, Delaware, Dominique, Faverolles, Jersey Giants, Marans, Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, New Hampshire Reds, Sussex and Easter Eggers (a hybrid).

Silver Laced Wyandotte, a cold hardy breed.
Silver Laced Wyandotte, a cold hardy breed.

HEAT TOLERANT BREEDS commonly include: Andalusians, Appenzeller Spitzhaubens, Campines, Cornish, (NOT to be confused with Cornish Rocks, which are a meat hybrid) d’Uccles, Egyptian Fayoumis, Hamburgs, Leghorns, Modern Game, Minorcas, Naked Necks, Polish, Shamo, Sicilian Buttercups, Silkies, Spanish, Welsummers.

Dark Cornish hen, heat tolerant breed.
Dark Cornish hen, heat tolerant breed.
Silver Spangled Hamburg, a heat tolerant breed.
Silver Spangled Hamburg, a heat tolerant breed.
Minor frostbite on the comb of this Black Copper Marans rooster.
Minor frostbite on the comb of this Black Copper Marans rooster.

Breeds with prominent combs can be expected to have more challenges with frostbite in very cold climates than breeds with smaller, less prominent combs. This is not to suggest that a heavy breed cannot live in a warm climate and a light breed cannot live in a cold climate, but seasonal accommodations would need to be made for birds better suited for a different climate such as in the case of the Marans rooster pictured above.

While each chicken is an individual with its own unique personality, generalizations can be made about breeds in much the same way as in dog breeds.

2. Temperament
While each chicken is an individual with its own unique personality, generalizations can be made about breeds in much the same way as in dog breeds.  If a household has small children where a docile, friendly dog is preferred, a feisty Chihuahua is likely not the best choice; likewise, a Hamburg would probably not be a good breed choice if one is hoping for a mellow lap chicken. Chickens are often characterized as being docile, flighty, calm, friendly and bearing confinement well or not.

While each chicken is an individual with its own unique personality, generalizations can be made about breeds in much the same way as in dog breeds.
Kate is my Speckled Sussex. She is very friendly, inquisitive and docile.
Stella, my Silver Spangled Hamburg is very flighty & doesn't bear confinement well.
Stella, my Silver Spangled Hamburg is very flighty & doesn’t bear confinement well

3. Egg Production Rate
The rate of egg production can also be generalized by breed. Some breeds are known for being prolific egg layers, producing 4 or more eggs per week, (Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Hamburgs) while others lay less frequently (eg: Silkies and Seabrights). If a family of five relies upon the eggs collected from the backyard flock, Silkies are likely not the right choice. My Silkie didn’t start laying eggs until she was 14 months old and averages five eggs per month. (she’s an extreme example, however)

Breeds from left to right: Barred Plymouth Rock, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Easter Egger, Blue Ameraucanas.
Breeds from left to right: Barred Plymouth Rock, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Easter Egger,  Blue Ameraucanas.
Barred Plymouth Rock
Barred Plymouth Rock

4. Egg Color
Each chicken produces a different egg color based upon genetics.  For some people, a colorful array of eggs is an important factor in breed selection, others, not so much. There are blue, green, dark chocolate brown, white and every hue in between to choose from. My neighbor insists on having a white egg-laying breed in her flock for the sole purpose of coloring eggs at Easter, while I prefer breeds that will produce fabulously colored eggs every day.

The rate of egg production can also be generalized by breed. Some breeds are known for being prolific egg layers, producing 4 or more eggs per week, (Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Hamburgs) while others lay less frequently (eg: Silkies and Seabrights).
Blue laced red wyandotte
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Silver Spangled Hamburg & Bantam frizzled Cochin.

This is a Blue Ameraucana– she produces beautiful blue eggs. Shop carefully for this purebred chicken as many breeders and hatcheries mis-label hybrid chickens as purebreds.

This is a Blue Ameraucana- she produces beautiful blue eggs. Shop carefully for this purebred chicken as many breeders and hatcheries mis-label hybrid chickens as purebreds.
This is an Easter Egger, which is a hybrid mix obtained from crossing a blue egg-laying breed with a brown egg-laying breed. While Esther produced a blue-green egg, Easter Eggers can lay a wide variety of colors from light brown to blue, olive green and everything in between.

This is an Easter Egger, which is a hybrid mix obtained from crossing a blue egg-laying breed with a brown egg-laying breed. While Esther produced a blue-green egg, Easter Eggers can lay a wide variety of colors from light brown to blue, olive green and everything in between.

Black Copper Marans. This breed is capable of laying dark chocolate brown eggs
Black Copper Marans. This breed is capable of laying dark chocolate brown eggs.
These eggs were from my Marans pullets.
These eggs were from my Marans pullets.

5. Broodiness
Some breeds are predisposed to hatching eggs more frequently than others. If a high rate of egg production is important, a broody breed such as Silkie or Cochin may not be the best choice. If one wishes to have hens hatch and raise chicks, broodiness is very important and either Silkies or Cochins are excellent choices.

Freida (White Silkie) with her Buff Orpington adopted chicks
Freida (White Silkie) with her Buff Orpington adopted chicks
Monica, a Black Cochin Frizzle, is a breed known for being broody.
Monica, a Black Cochin Frizzle, is a breed known for being broody.

The Breed I Need

After the five primary considerations are taken into account, the selection process is fun! Here are some of the fun breeds I felt I needed when chicken math set in!

White Crested Black Polish
White Crested Black Polish
Bantam Cochin Frizzle
Bantam Cochin Frizzle
My handsome Serama rooster. He was hatched from an egg I got from a breeder.
My handsome Serama rooster. He was hatched from an egg I got from a breeder.
The hen on the left is a Golden Laced Wyandotte
The hen on the left is a Golden Laced Wyandotte
Columbian Wyandotte
Columbian Wyandotte
White Leghorn Pullet
White Leghorn pullet.
Australorp (going through a rough molt!)
Australorp (going through a rough molt!)
Bantam Welsummer pullet.
Bantam Welsumer pullet.
Rhode Island Red
Rhode Island Red
Bantam Buff Brahma
Bantam Buff Brahma
Red Sex Link
Red Sex Link
Tips for Selecting Chicken Breeds-The Breed I Need!
eggs by breed
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mary carmen
mary carmen
10 years ago

I want a couple Easter Eggers, but no roosters, not allowed:(

gail
gail
10 years ago

I thought I had silkies but I now think they are a cross between a silkie and a polish crested, must post pictures!

Kaesi Cook
Kaesi Cook
10 years ago

I would love to add a couple of Light Sussex chickens to my flock.

Julie Walter DeMoss
Julie Walter DeMoss
10 years ago

I need some Jersey Giants, some Plymouth Rocks, and some more black sex links

Kelly Hartman Comboni
Kelly Hartman Comboni
10 years ago

i think a polish may be in our future!