Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – L/Blue and Green

Ameraucanas

Ameraucanas come in both a large and a bantam variety and are often called the Easter egg chicken. They lay eggs in shades of blue, and even have blue (or "slate") legs. Rather than ear tufts, they have fuller muffs over their ears and a beard, and are very hardy and sweet tempered. Although less rare than their cousins the Araucanas, they are still an uncommon breed.

Best kept free range or confined; both cold hardy and heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile.

Main use – E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – M-L/White

Ancona

The Ancona is a relatively rare breed. It has a beautiful "mottled" color pattern of black with white spots, and both Single Comb & Rose Comb varieties are accepted by the American Poultry Association. Like other Mediterranean breeds, Anconas are closely feathered, active, good foragers and good layers. They stand frost and snow quite well and will surpass Leghorn chickens as winter layers.

Best kept free range; both cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – O
Egg Production – M
Size and color – S/White and Brown

Bantam Special

Most large chicken breeds have a bantam counterpart, sometimes referred to as a miniature. They are usually one-fifth to one-quarter the size of the standard breed, but they exhibit all of the standard breed's characteristics. A true bantam has no large counterpart, and is naturally small. They are great for smaller backyards as they do not need as much space. Bantams are also used as laying hens, although the eggs are only about one-half to one-third the size of a regular egg. The Bantam rooster is famous in rural areas throughout the United Kingdom and the United States for its aggressive disposition. Bantams are most often used for insect control.

Best kept free range; heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – L/Brown

Black Australorps

Australorps are calm and friendly, and excellent layers of light brown eggs. They are quiet, gentle birds, and stand confinement well. This breed is noted for its egg production, and although smaller than the Orpingtons, they still carry a fair amount of meat. Australorps hold the world's record for egg production with one hen having laid 364 eggs in 365 days.

Best kept confined; both cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Recovering by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – M-L/Brown

Black Giant

This chicken is supersized! Although created as a dual-purpose fowl (valued for both meat and eggs), it isn't used on commercial farms because it takes up to a year for them to grow to full size, whereas commercial strains can reach their desired size as early as 5 weeks of age. The Black Giant is good-natured and hens lay medium to large brown eggs.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – L/White

Black Minorca

The Black Minorca was named after the Spanish island where it was once found in vast numbers. They are the largest of the Mediterranean breeds, with roosters maturing to an average of 9 lbs and hens maturing to around 7 and 1/2 lbs. Their glossy wide black feathers lay closely against rather narrow bodies, with distinctive white ear lobes. They are layers of large white eggs and their large combs make them more appropriate for warmer climates.

Best kept free range; heat tolerant.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – M/White

Blue Andalusian

Developed in the Andalucía region of Spain. Andalusians are closely feathered, active and good layers of large white eggs. Their color and perky nature make them a great addition to any backyard flock. (They love to forage, so don't purchase them if you plan to keep your flock confined.)

NOTE: The color blue does not hatch true in this chicken breed. Blue is a diluting gene for black. So, 50% of your Blue Andalusians will hatch blue, and 25% will be black. The last 25% will be "splash," having received two diluting genes. Splash is a very light color, pale blue or white with "splashes" of black and darker blue in the feathers, especially in the wings and tail.

Best kept free range; heat and cold tolerant.
Classified as Threatened by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – M-L/Brown

Brahma – Buff, Dark, Light

Brahmas are gentle birds with profuse, fluffy feathering throughout their bodies including feathered legs and feet and require well drained soil where they are kept. Originally from India, these birds were bred for meat production, though the hens lay relatively decently and are great setters and mothers. This fancy breed of chicken makes a great pet for its quiet and tame nature and tolerance to the cold. While not a power layer, you can expect three or so medium-size brown eggs from this bird per week.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – L/Brown

Buff Orpingtons

Buff Orpingtons are large, stately birds with a friendly and quiet disposition that make great backyard birds. They also make excellent setters and mothers. Their heavy, full plumage make them excellent winter layers, shelling out light pinkish-brown eggs right through cold weather. Orpingtons lay between 180 and 200 eggs a year.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Recovering by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – E
Egg Production – VH
Size and color – L/White

California White

The California White is a very quiet bird that is easy to handle and cold hardy. They are a hybrid type of white egg layer, which gives you prolific egg laying along with superior vigor and hardiness. They enjoy free range environments, but are adaptable to confined living as well. The California White is a vocal chicken and active forager. They are a fast growing bird, but due to their vigor they may not grow quite as quickly as the typical commercial Leghorn.

Best kept confined; heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/O
Egg Production – M
Size and color – L/Brown

Cochins – assorted, Barred, Black, Blue, Buff, Partridge, White, Silver-laced

Cochins are known the world over for being big friendly balls of fluff and feathers. They don't lay very well but are popular because of their sweet personality and fantastic mothering qualities. Cochins became famous in the 1800s when this Chinese breed was given as a gift to Queen Victoria of England, who absolutely adored them. They lay large-size brown eggs, can be free-range or confined, and are cold hardy.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – M-L/Brown

Columbian Rock Cross

Produced by mating a Rhode Island Red female with a Columbian male, this robust, dual-purpose bird is know for its ability to efficiently produce eggs even in the coldest of climates. An excellent layer of cream colored brown eggs with a calm good natured disposition, this cross is a great choice for the family flock. Females are basic white with the traditional Columbian pattern of black laced across the neck and black-trimmed wing tips and tails. Males have different shades of brown mixed throughout their feathering.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M
Egg Production – L
Size and color – S-M/Brown

Cornish – Dark, Buff, White-Laced Red

Cornish are stocky meat birds from the Southwest corner of England with short, close-fitting feathers. Much of the chicken meat bought in modern supermarkets comes from hybrid birds that have Cornish influence in their breeding. Cornish can be active foragers but are poor egg layers. They tolerate confinement well but can be free ranged.

Best kept free range or confined; heat tolerant.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – l-XL/Brown

Delaware

The Delaware is a relatively new breed of chicken, having only been developed in 1940. They're a cross between New Hampshire Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks with the goal of maintaining the prolific egg production of these two breeds but increased meat value. They're a lovely, calm white breed with black feathers around the neck and the tip of the tail. They perform well in both cold and warm climates. This breed matures slightly faster than other Heritage Breed chickens and can reach broiler size by 14 weeks of age.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Threatened by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – VH
Size and color – M-L/Brown

Dominique

The Dominique, also known as the “Pilgrim Fowl”, is the oldest American breed of chicken and was originally brought to the colonies from southern England in the 15th century. Dominiques are considered a "Heritage" breed of chicken in that they have a long history in the US, are naturally mating, and thrive on pasture. They are the first breed of chicken developed in America and are now critically endangered. Some people can't tell the difference between a Dominique and a Barred Rock, but an easy giveaway is that Dominiques have a rose comb that sits close to the top of the bird’s head versus the Barred Rock's tall single comb towering above. Dominiques are a wonderfully suited for any climate type. They are dual-purpose birds and hens may lay 250-280 eggs per year.

Best kept free range; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – M/White

Hamburg – Gold-spangled, Silver-spangled

The petite and active Hamburg is an old, traditional breed whose origin goes back hundreds of years. In both England and Holland, they were such faithful layers that a common name for them is "the Dutch Everyday Layer."

Gold Spangled and Silver Spangled Hamburgs are small, nearly on par with bantam breeds. They are high fliers and can jump fences and enclosures. They don't tolerate confinement very well, and are very active and rarely go broody. However, they eat little to produce their prolific numbers of small to medium white eggs, so they cost less to feed than many other breeds. Their rose comb makes them tolerant of cold, as well. They are wonderful all-around homesteading birds if you provide adequate space.

Best kept free range; heat tolerant.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – M/White

Lakenvelder – Gold, Silver

The Golden Lakenvelder is a beautiful and rare variety, with the Silver Lakenvelder being somewhat more common. They are good, dependable producers of medium white eggs. This rare breed is a non-setter. Lakenvelders are 4-5 lbs at maturity. The breed is an active, capable forager with high predator avoidance built into its nature. They are entertaining and fun birds to watch in the yard. Being good flyers, they can often clear fences, although they do adapt well to confinement if given enough space. They are economical eaters and do best in warmer climates.

Best kept free range; heat tolerant.
Classified as Threatened by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – L/Brown

Langshan

The Langshan is a dual-purpose endangered breed originating from China. They are graceful tall birds with feathered legs. They are good layers of brown eggs, but somewhat slow to mature to begin laying. Hens often are not the best brooders but are dedicated mothers once the chicks are hatched. Trimming the feathers around the birds’ vents with dramatically improve fertility in this heavily feathered breed.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Threatened by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – E
Egg Production – VH
Size and color – L/White

Leghorns – Barred, Brown, Silver, White

Leghorns are small, athletic, hardy, non-sitters and lay very nice large white eggs. They produce more eggs on less feed than most chickens. They are capable of considerable flight and often roost in trees if given the opportunity. Livability and resistance to disease are very high, and they make for a good range bird where there is danger of predators.

Best kept free range and confined; heat tolerant.
Classified as Recovering by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – L/ Dark Brown

Marans (Cuckoo)

LNamed for its city of origin in coastal France, the Marans is a dual purpose bird known for its quality meat and dark brown eggs. They are active and docile birds with excellent foraging skills and good personalities. The Cuckoo Marans features a black and white coloration resembling a barred pattern though not as well defined.

Best kept free range or confined; both cold hardy and heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – L-XL/Brown

New Hampshire

New Hampshires are derived directly from Rhode Island Reds, and over the years they've changed so much from selective breeding that they've come to be recognized as a completely separate breed. The New Hampshire differs from the Rhode Island Red in that it was selected to produce more meat (and therefore fewer eggs), matures at an earlier age, and be a more active, vigorous bird.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – O
Egg Production – L
Size and color – S-M/White

Phoenix – Gold, Silver, White

The Phoenix chicken is an alert breed with a pheasant-like appearance. They are fair layers and do go broody. The chicks are hardy, but require extra protein when their tails are growing. The breed is well-suited to properties where it can roam at large, thriving best when given a good deal of freedom. This breed was developed from Japanese long tail breeds and as a result has extraordinary wide, rigid sickle feathers of two to five feet in length and saddle feather of 12 to 18 inches! Their feathers are excellent for decorative uses.

Best kept free range; heat tolerant.
Classified as Threatened by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – L/Brown

Plymouth Rocks – Barred, Buff, Partridge, White

Plymouth Rocks are a good all-purpose farm chicken. They are docile and hens normally will show broodiness and make good mothers. Some strains are better layers of large brown eggs while others are bred principally for meat. Plymouth Rocks are not known to be aggressive, and tame easily with their owners.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Recovering by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – L-XL/Brown

Production Red

The Production Red is very similar to a Rhode Island Red but typically have Leghorn incorporated into their breeding to increase egg production and are often lighter in color to the classic breed. Production Reds are a vigorous, hearty chicken developed for the purpose of efficient production of large brown eggs. Hens are not known to be very broody and are not good mothers as the traditional Rhode Island Red hen can be.

Best kept free range or confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – L-XL/Brown

Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Reds are a popular choice for the small flock owner as a do-everything breed of chicken. They are high-producing and efficient brown egg layers, and are among the best egg layers of the dual purpose breeds. This breed is valued for their meat qualities and are suitable for most climates.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Recovering by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – O
Egg Production – M
Size and color – M/Brown

Russian Orloff

The Russian Orloff is a rare breed having been developed in the cold hostile climate of Russia’s Siberian region. They are tall, well-feathered chickens with a somewhat game-like appearance. Their plumage, combined with their tiny walnut comb, small earlobes and minuscule wattles, makes the Orloff a very cold hardy breed. Males generally weigh 8.5 pounds, and hens weigh 6.5 pounds. Orloffs are primarily suited to meat production, but hens are reasonable layers of light brown eggs. Hens do not often go broody. In temperament, they are known to be calm birds although not considered docile.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy.
Classified as Critical by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – VH
Size and color – L-XL/Brown

Sex Links – black, gold, red

The Sex Link Hybrid is the result of crossing two purebred standard breeds creating chicks that can be sexed at hatching. Blacks are a cross between a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster and a Barred Rock hen. Golden sex-links are a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Rhode Island White. Red sex-links are a cross between a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster and a White Rock, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Rhode Island White or Delaware hen. These hybrids make for very vigorous chicks, rugged brown egg laying hens and good cockerel fryers. Hens often produce 300 eggs a year or more.

Best kept free range and confined; heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – M/White

Sicilian Buttercup

This exceedingly rare Sicilian breed derives its name from the combination of unique comb shape and the golden buff color of the hen’s plumage that is similar to the buttercup flower. The flower-shaped comb is totally unique in the poultry world and its size makes the breed a poor choice for cold climates. "Buttercups," as they're called, are good layers of medium-size white eggs and are capable foragers. Also called "Flowerbirds", this breed is a delightful addition to the backyard flock.

Best kept free range; heat tolerant.
Classified as Threatened by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – O
Egg Production – L
Size and color – S/White

Silkie Bantam- Assorted, White, Buff, Blue and Black

Silkie Bantams are ornamental birds with fine, fur- like feathers that the Chinese believe have special healing properties. Silkies have black or dark slate skin, five toes and feather crowns, feathered legs and some have beards as well. Silkies are known for being extremely broody with excellent maternal instincts. Hens are often used to hatch eggs from almost any poultry or game fowl, including pheasants, quail, chickens, even ducks. Their calm and docile nature makes them easy to handle and a great addition to any backyard flock.

Best kept free range or confined; both cold hardy and heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – M/Brown

Speckled Sussex

Sussex chickens are layers of tinted or light brown eggs and are known to be excellent winter layers. They are considered dual-purpose birds and are heavy bodied. They are not prone to flying when mature making them easily fenced.

They forage well and are economical eaters that are friendly and docile. Their curious nature means they will often follow you around the yard if they think they can get a treat. The "speckled" variety has plumage that provides good camouflage from predators. Many tend to get more speckles after each successive molt, making for more colorful birds with age.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Recovering by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – H
Size and color – L/Brown

Turken

These birds look like turkeys due to their "naked necks", but they're all chicken, and are available in many different colors. Turkens were bred this way to be easier for cooks to pluck and to disperse heat more efficiently in when kept in warm climates. Despite their exposed flesh and single combs, Turkens are said to do fairly well in the cold but still require good shelter to ensure health. They are known to be sweet tempered and can be quite friendly.

Best kept free range and confined; heat tolerant.
Classified as Study by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – L-XL/Dark Brown

Welsummer

Originating in central Holland, the Welsummer has two claims to fame. The Welsummer is primarily known as a prolific producer of large, reddish brown and sometimes speckled eggs. Secondly, it is the inspiration for the iconic Cornelius Rooster, long time brand advocate for Kelloggs cereal. These birds are excellent foragers and tend to be fairly docile. Although not overly sensitive to cold, their large combs can become susceptible to frostbite.

Best kept free range or confined; both cold hardy and heat tolerant. Print This Breed Profile

Main use – M/E
Egg Production – M
Size and color – L/Brown

Wyandottes - Golden and Silver Laced, Black, Blue, Buff

Wyandottes are a docile, dual-purpose breed kept for both eggs and meat. They lay a nicely shaped, good sized egg, varying from light to rich brown. The Wyandotte is a breed that suits both free range and confinement in runs. They tend to be friendly, and not flighty. They can be very vocal, uttering soft clucks on a regular basis. Cold weather doesn't seem to bother them at all and they are known to lay straight through the winter. They appear in a wide variety of color patterns and are popular show birds.

Best kept free range and confined; cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Classified as Recovering by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Bourbon Red

Named for the Kentucky county in which the breed was created, this breed is known for its rich meat flavor, hardiness, and foraging abilities. Many people feel that this turkey is one of the most beautiful of all turkey varieties with its rich dark red color. Because of their light pinfeathers, there is no pigment residue when they are plucked. Standard weights for Bourbon Reds are 23 pounds for young toms and 14 pounds for young hens.

Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Black Spanish Turkeys

Black Spanish Turkeys feature beautiful, metallic black plumage with a greenish sheen. These turkeys are smaller than their commercial counterparts with the standard for young toms at 23lbs and 14lbs for young hens. They do not have the broad breast present in commercial turkey varieties and are thus still able to reproduce naturally. They rare breed of turkeys.

Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Broad Breasted Bronze

Popular with commercial production, this breed was developed for the table. The coloring is similar to that of the wild turkey, but the size and shape of the two differ greatly. Although excellent table birds, like the commercial Broad-Breasted White breed, these heavy birds may have difficulty mating naturally and will often require artificial insemination for them to reproduce successfully. They are still capable foragers and a striking addition to any farm. The standard weight for young toms is 25 pounds and for young hens is 16 pounds.

Classified as Study by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Broad Breasted White

This breed is the most popular for the commercial production of table birds. Like the Broad-Breasted Bronze, they may have difficulty mating naturally and will often require artificial insemination for them to reproduce successfully. The standard weight for young toms is 25 pounds and for young hens is 16 pounds. Print This Breed Profile

Narragansett

The Narragansett turkey is named for Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, where the variety was developed. The Narragansett color pattern makes them predominantly silver birds with golden tails and are one of the most beautiful of the Heritage turkey breeds. They are known for their calm disposition, good maternal abilities, early maturation, and excellent meat quality. The standard weight for young toms is 23 pounds and for young hens is 14 pounds.

Classified as Threatened by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

White Pekin Ducks

White Pekin Ducks are known for their fine meat quality and egg laying ability. Both the male and female are creamy white in color, yellow skinned, and very large breasted. It is the most popular commercial duck breed in the United States. Around 95% of duck meat consumed in the United States is from the Pekin. Print This Breed Profile

Mallard Ducks

The Mallard Duck is one of the best-known and most recognizable of all ducks. They are social birds and need to be raised and kept with other ducks as opposed to being solitary. These ducks have a natural fear of humans but adapt well to backyard ponds. Like most ducks, Mallards are very cold hardy. The Mallard can be strongly migratory in the northern parts of its breeding range, but will usually stay at home if fed regularly. Print This Breed Profile

Khaki Campbells

Khaki Campbells exceed most duck and chicken breeds in egg production, with some strains averaging 300 white eggs per year. Campbells are extremely cold hardy, are excellent foragers, and are at home on land as well as in water. They eat large quantities of slugs, snails, insects, algae, and mosquitos from ponds. They do not require swimming water to stay healthy. Campbells are growing in popularity as an egg-layer and backyard duck.

Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Rouen

Rouen ducks are a large bodied breed of duck with the same color pattern as the wild Mallard. They are docile birds that are valued for their meat, but are poor layers, producing only 35-125 eggs yearly. Rouen ducks are slow to mature. While this slow maturation (6-8 months) makes them impractical for commercial meat production, Rouens are great for ponds and small scale production.

Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Swedish

The typically blue colored Swedish Duck breed is a good addition to the backyard flock and is a hardy breed. Blue is the only APA standardized color for the breed but there can be Black, Silver, and Splashed colored offspring. They have a calm disposition and are active foragers. They can be good layers of eggs that can be white, tinted, blue, or green in color. Swedish ducks are considered a medium-weight duck breed that mature to 7-8 lbs.

Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

African Goose

The African goose is a massive bird with a heavy body, thick neck, stout bill and jaunty posture giving the impression of strength and vitality. Mature birds have a large, forward-projecting knob above their beaks. African geese can withstand considerable cold weather but need shelter to protect their knobs from frostbite. They are alert birds and make excellent "watchdogs."

Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Chinese Goose

Also called the Swan goose, the Chinese Goose is one of the post popular and well known breeds of domestic goose. Their smaller body size coupled with their active foraging ability make the Chinese goose an economical breed. They are tame birds, but are among the best watchdogs with their vocation to be vocal. They are considered the best layer among the goose breeds and can produce 80 per year, but a more reasonable number is 30-40.

Classified as Watch by the ALBC. Print This Breed Profile

Pearl or White Guineas

All guineas originally came from Africa and have been prized for their all-dark, gamey tasting meat. Guineas are extremely hardy and are very easy and inexpensive to raise and grow. Guineas are the ultimate farmyard watchdog, sounding the alarm whenever anything out of the ordinary occurs. They will consume large amounts of insects, especially ticks, and seldom bother gardens or flowers. They are also useful by eating weed seeds. Guineas are highly social and tend to move together as a flock. Print This Breed Profile