Ideal Chickens for the Home Flock

Tractor Supply Co. Chick Days - February 27th through April 13th

Share |

Learn more about raising
and maintaining poultry from
Know-How Central:

Video: Expert Poultry
Advice from
"The Chicken Whisperer"

Browse these related articles from back issues of Out Here Magazine:

Ideal Chickens For The Home Flock

An index of heritage breeds.

By Oscar H. Will III

At one time, every farm and most other homes in America maintained at least a small number of laying hens. This was simply part of the plan for feeding the family. Those birds also supplied meat for the table, whether as old hens past their laying days or cockerels of about any age.

In many cases, the flock was composed of a multipurpose breed suitable for egg production, large enough when young to fill a frying pan, or a roaster as young adults. Folks putting food on the table haven’t been the only people involved in poultry, however. Humans have kept flocks for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, and early breeding efforts produced a number of ornamental chicken breeds in addition to more specialized meat- and egg-producing varieties.

Today, chickens resulting from pinpoint-focused genetics are produced by the millions. The typical frying chicken’s physiology is so well adapted to put on weight that it can be ready for the frying pan in as few as six weeks. Modern laying hens produce so efficiently that they don’t even contemplate sitting on eggs – and they scarcely have enough meat on their bones for a decent pot of stew after their laying days are done. Industrialized chicken production has done wonders for maintaining low meat and egg prices, but with an unintended consequence: the loss of many interesting old breeds. In the United States today, hundreds of millions of Cornish Cross and strain-crossed White Leghorn chickens grown each year for meat and eggs are estimated to be approximately 99 percent of the country’s total population. The fact that traditional breeds are of little value to factory farms is sufficient reason to consider raising them yourself.

“Heritage” chickens are defined as being hatched from a heritage egg that was sired by an American Poultry Association standard breed recognized before the mid-20th century. They are slow-growing, naturally mated, and have long, productive, outdoor lives. These breeds don’t measure up to modern production standards, despite the fact that most will outperform their conventional counterparts in a typical home flock. Heritage chickens are also critical as a source of genetic diversity and will no doubt play a role in the well-being of future factory flocks. With their often quirky characteristics and undeniable good looks, heritage chickens provide numerous excellent choices for those of us who desire greater control over our food supply.

The following entries are a compilation of key characteristics and other general descriptive information on 25 interesting chicken breeds found well outside the mainstream. We’ve also annotated the entries using information from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Priority List (www.ALBC-USA.org) for each breed. Breeds are classified as critical if there are fewer than 500 breeding birds and five or fewer primary breeding flocks currently in the United States. Breeds classified as threatened have fewer than 1,000 breeding individuals and seven or fewer breeding flocks. To be classified as a watch breed, there must be fewer than 5,000 breeding birds and 10 or fewer breeding flocks, or there may be genetic or numerical considerations, or restricted geographic distribution. Each of these three categories includes breeds that are considered endangered globally. A recovering breed is one that once belonged to another category and surpassed the population threshold of the watch category, yet still merits monitoring. A breed classified for study is one of genetic interest with indeterminate definition, genetic or historical documentation. We apologize if your favorite breed was not included among our entries.

Ameraucana

Size: small
Comb: pea
Plumage: Highly variable
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Blue, Green
Use: Special Interest
Origins: South America
ALBC Rating: Not Rated

Ameraucanas are easy to keep birds famous for their blue and blue-green eggs, and they are often confused with the blue egg-laying Araucana. The relation between the breeds is uncertain, though they are frequently sold interchangeably by commercial hatcheries. The muffed and bearded Ameraucanas make good layers of medium-sized eggs.

Andalusian

Size: Medium
Comb: Single
Plumage: Black, Blue, White
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: White
Use: Ornamental
Origins: Spain
ALBC Rating: Critical

The Andalusian’s preferred blue color was produced by crossing white birds with black ones. Crossing two blue Andalusians, results offspring in a ratio of 1 black: 2 blue: 1 white. This variety makes an attractive addition to the home flock because hens are productive layers and display minimal broodiness.

Australorp

Size: Large
Comb: Single
Plumage: Black
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Brown
Use: Dual
Origins: Australia
ALBC Rating: Recovering

The black Australorp was bred in Australia from Black Orpington stock that originated in England. One particular Australorp hen had the distinction of being the world record egg layer, laying 364 eggs in 365 days. This moderately heavy breed makes an excellent homestead chicken, being a fine layer and possessing a compact but meaty frame.

Brahma

Size: Large
Comb: Pea
Plumage: Light, dark, buff
Legs: Feathered
Egg Color: Brown
Use: Meat
Origins: Asia
ALBC Rating: Watch

Although often thought of as a meat breed, Brahma hens also make efficient egg layers. The light variety has a coloration consisting of a white base with white and black feather accents on the hackles, feet and tail. The buff variety displays a similar pattern with buff as the base color. Dark Brahma hens possess a gray and black penciled base, while roosters have a black base with white shoulders.

Buttercup

Size: Small
Comb: Buttercup
Plumage: Buff hens, red roosters
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: White
Use: Ornamental
Origins: Sicily
ALBC Rating: Critical

Evenly distributed black spangles typify the appearance of Buttercup hens, while roosters have red coloration with scattered black spangles, predominantly at the base of the hackle, and black tail feathers. Despite their ornamental status, Buttercups make reasonably good layers of small eggs.

Campine

Size: Small
Comb: Single
Plumage: Silver, golden
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: White
Use: Egg
Origins: Belgium
ALBC Rating: Critical

Campines are one of the oldest breeds in North America. They exhibit a black barred feather pattern over buff or gray bases. Both males and females possess uniformly golden or silver hackles. Hens are generally nonbroody, and the breed is described as being alert, smart, and excellent foragers.

Catalana

Size: Medium
Comb: Single
Plumage: Buff
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Cream to tinted
Use: Egg
Origins: Spain
ALBC Rating: Critical

The Buff Catalana is not a well known breed in North America, but has enjoyed popularity in Spain and South America. In contrast with other Mediterranean varieties, the Catalana performs pretty well as a true dual-purpose chicken. Its feathers are also sought after for decoration and fishing fly tying.

Cochin

Size: Large
Comb: Single
Plumage: Black, buff partridge, white
Legs: Feathered
Egg Color: Brown
Use: Ornamental
Origins: China
ALBC Rating: Watch

Despite being among the largest domestic chickens, Cochins make poor layers yet excellent setters. Early American settlers valued this breed for its uncanny good looks and willingness to hatch eggs from most other breeds and species. Cochins survive well in confinement, but their thick, fluffy feathering inhibits egg fertility.

Cornish

Size: Large
Comb: Single
Plumage: White, white laced red, buff, dark
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Brown
Use: Meat
Origins: Cornwall, England
ALBC Rating: Watch

The Indian Game bird, as this breed was previously known, was bred for meat production and hardiness. The birds have enormous breasts and thighs that, coupled with their short and closely held feathers, give them a seemingly prehistoric look. This breed contributed a large proportion of the genetic material for today’s meat breeds.

Crevecoeur

Size: Medium
Comb: V-shaped
Plumage: Black
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Brown
Use: Ornamental
Origins: France
ALBC Rating: Critical

The Crevecoeur is particularly notable for the fluffy crest, muffs and beard that make its head resemble a pompom. Developed in Normandy, likely before the 18th century, this distinctive breed shows little tendency to incubate eggs. The birds benefit from confinement, especially in foul weather.

Langshan

Size: Large
Comb: Single
Plumage: White, black, blue
Legs: Feathered
Egg Color: Brown
Use: Dual
Origins: China
ALBC Rating: Threatened

The Langshan was introduced to the West in the mid-19th century. Hens tend to be broody, and the breed is particularly cold hardy. Langshans are versatile and thrive both under confinement and with free-range management. Noted for their long legs, high tails and stately appearance, Langshans are now primarily used for exhibition.

Maran

Size: Large
Comb: Single
Plumage: Dark, cuckoo
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Dark chocolate brown
Use: Egg
Origins: France
ALBC Rating: Not Rated

The Maran was developed early in the 20th century. The Cuckoo variety, possessing barred plumage, is readily available in the United States. Known for highly variable temperament based on the strain of origin, most varieties are hardy and versatile. The breed enjoys popularity based on its striking egg color.

Minorca

Size: Medium
Comb: Single, rose
Plumage: Black, white, buff
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: White
Use: Egg
Origins: Minorca
ALBC Rating: Watch

One of the largest Mediterranean breeds, Minorcas make efficient layers, and they produce large eggs. Despite their size, these birds aren’t highly regarded for meat production, owing to their narrow frames and typically slow growth. This is an ideal laying breed where summers are warm and the birds have ample space to range.

Polish

Size: Small
Comb: V-shaped
Plumage: Black, white, golden, silver, buff laced
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: White
Use: Ornamental
Origins: Eastern Europe
ALBC Rating: Watch

Despite its name, this crested breed is believed to have originated elsewhere in Eastern Europe or Russia before the 16th century. Polish hens are historically known for egg production, but as ornamentals require shelter from foul weather. Polish chickens are available in numerous color variations, frequently with contrasting-colored crests.

Redcap

Size: Small
Comb: Rose
Plumage: Red with black
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: White
Use: Egg
Origins: Derbyshire, England
ALBC Rating: Critical

Best known for their oversized rose comb (including a very large spike), the Redcap is also noted for non-broody hens that make prolific layers of small eggs. This is a relatively early maturing breed, with hardy individuals that adapt easily to confined management.

Sebright

Size: True Bantam
Comb: Rose
Plumage: Silver and golden with black lacing
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Creamy white
Use: Ornamental
Origins: England
ALBC Rating: Watch

Sir John Sebright’s long-term breeding program spanning the late 18th and early 19th centuries produced this diminutive breed. Sebright roosters lack gender-specific plumage and are so-called hen feathered. The hens produce diminutive eggs from which small, relatively difficult to care for chicks emerge. Described as jaunty and sprightly, Sebrights are excellent fliers.

Spanish

Size: Large
Comb: Single
Plumage: Black with white face
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: White
Use: Egg
Origins: Spain
ALBC Rating: Critical

During the Colonial period, the Spanish (also White-Faced Black Spanish, Spanish White Ear, Clownface) was brought to the United States from the Caribbean, though originating in Spain. As the oldest Mediterranean breed, this variety is distinguished by the large patch of white skin (resembling earlobes) on the sides of the face. Most comfortable ranging free, Spanish tend to be noisy and heat tolerant.

Sumatra

Size: Small
Comb: Pea, single
Plumage: Black
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: White
Use: Ornamental
Origins: Sumatra
ALBC Rating: Critical

This ancient breed gets its distinctive looks from a long, low tail, multiple spurs and dark purple face. Although good sized, the Sumatra is neither a gifted meat provider nor egg producer. Resembling the wild jungle fowl of the Far East, they do not tolerate confinement. The breed can tolerate both temperature extremes and is well able to fend for itself.

Sussex

Size: Large
Comb: Single
Plumage: Speckled, red, light
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Creamy to light brown
Use: Dual
Origins: Sussex, England
ALBC Rating: Threatened

Excellent producers of both meat and eggs, the Sussex are ideal farm chickens. The hens are broody and make good mothers, while the cockerels are meaty and well muscled. Sussex birds are good tempered and easy to handle. They are also highly cold tolerant, robust and adaptable to a variety of management schemes.

Wyandotte

Size: Large
Comb: Rose
Plumage: Variable
Legs: Clean
Egg Color: Brown
Use: Dual
Origins: United States
ALBC Rating: Recovering

Originally possessing a silver-laced pattern in the 19th century, the Wyandotte can now be found as golden-laced, white, buff, partridge, silvered, penciled and other varieties. This hardy breed is even tempered, cold tolerant and adaptable to numerous management practices. The Wyandotte produces plentiful, large eggs, and the breast meat is succulent, making it an excellent food source as a part of the home flock.

To learn more about chicken breeds read Perfect Chickens at Grit.