Chicken

1. Leghorn

Description

The Leghorn chicken is primarily raised for egg production and is known for its high egg-laying capabilities.

3 Facts

  • Originated in Italy.
  • Known for excellent egg-laying abilities.
  • Highly adaptable to different climates.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 6-7 lbs, Females: 4-5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: White, black, brown, and more
  • Comb: Large, red single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-9 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United States
  • Italy
  • United Kingdom

2. Rhode Island Red

Description

The Rhode Island Red is a dual-purpose breed known for both meat and egg production.

3 Facts

  • Developed in the United States.
  • Known for their hardiness and adaptability.
  • Excellent foragers.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 8.5 lbs, Females: 6.5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Reddish-brown
  • Comb: Single or rose comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 6-8 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United States
  • Canada

3. Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)

Description

The Plymouth Rock is a dual-purpose breed known for both meat and egg production.

3 Facts

  • Developed in the United States.
  • Known for their calm temperament.
  • Excellent layers and foragers.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 9.5 lbs, Females: 7.5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Barred (black and white stripes)
  • Comb: Single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 6-10 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United States
  • United Kingdom

4. Sussex

Description

The Sussex chicken is a dual-purpose breed known for both meat and egg production.

3 Facts

  • Originated in England.
  • Known for their high egg production.
  • Comes in various colors.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 9 lbs, Females: 7 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including white, brown, and speckled
  • Comb: Single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 6-8 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United Kingdom
  • United States

5. Wyandotte

Description

The Wyandotte chicken is a dual-purpose breed known for both meat and egg production.

3 Facts

  • Developed in the United States.
  • Known for their feather patterns.
  • Hardy in cold climates.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 8.5 lbs, Females: 6.5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including laced and partridge
  • Comb: Rose comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 6-12 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United States
  • Canada

 

6. Orpington

Description

The Orpington chicken is a dual-purpose breed known for both meat and egg production, as well as its friendly temperament.

3 Facts

  • Originated in England.
  • Known for their calm and friendly nature.
  • Excellent layers and good for meat.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 10 lbs, Females: 8 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including black, white, and buff
  • Comb: Single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-9 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United Kingdom
  • United States

7. Silkie

Description

The Silkie chicken is primarily kept as a pet and is known for its fluffy, silk-like feathers.

3 Facts

  • Originated in China.
  • Known for their unique feather texture.
  • Often used for ornamental purposes.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 4 lbs, Females: 3 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including black, white, and partridge
  • Comb: Walnut comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 7-9 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • China
  • United States

8. Cochin

Description

The Cochin chicken is primarily kept for ornamental purposes and is known for its large size and feathered legs.

3 Facts

  • Originated in China.
  • Known for their feathered legs and feet.
  • Calm and friendly temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 11 lbs, Females: 8.5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including black, buff, and partridge
  • Comb: Single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-8 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • China
  • United States

9. Brahma

Description

The Brahma chicken is a dual-purpose breed known for both meat and egg production, as well as its large size.

3 Facts

  • Developed in the United States.
  • Known for their large size and gentle nature.
  • Hardy in cold climates.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 12 lbs, Females: 9 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including buff, dark, and light
  • Comb: Pea comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-8 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United States
  • United Kingdom

10. Araucana

Description

The Araucana chicken is primarily raised for its unique blue-green eggs.

3 Facts

  • Originated in Chile.
  • Known for laying blue or green eggs.
  • Unique ear tufts and rumpless tail.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 5 lbs, Females: 4 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including black, white, and golden duckwing
  • Comb: Pea comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • Chile
  • United States

 

11. Marans

Description

The Marans chicken is primarily raised for its dark brown eggs and is also good for meat.

3 Facts

  • Originated in France.
  • Known for their dark brown eggs.
  • Hardy and adaptable.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 8 lbs, Females: 6.5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including black copper and cuckoo
  • Comb: Single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 6-8 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • France
  • United States

12. Ameraucana

Description

The Ameraucana chicken is primarily raised for its blue eggs and is a descendant of the Araucana.

3 Facts

  • Developed in the United States.
  • Known for laying blue eggs.
  • Friendly and docile temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 6.5 lbs, Females: 5.5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including blue, black, and wheaten
  • Comb: Pea comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United States

13. Welsummer

Description

The Welsummer chicken is primarily raised for its dark brown eggs and is also good for meat.

3 Facts

  • Originated in the Netherlands.
  • Known for their dark brown eggs.
  • Friendly and docile temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 7 lbs, Females: 6 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Reddish-brown with black tail
  • Comb: Single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 6-9 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • Netherlands
  • United States

14. Hamburg

Description

The Hamburg chicken is primarily raised for its white eggs and is also kept for ornamental purposes.

3 Facts

  • Originated in Germany.
  • Known for their prolific egg-laying.
  • Active and flighty temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 5 lbs, Females: 4 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including silver-spangled and golden-spangled
  • Comb: Rose comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 6-8 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • Germany
  • United States

15. Polish

Description

The Polish chicken is primarily kept for ornamental purposes and is known for its distinctive crest of feathers.

3 Facts

  • Originated in Poland.
  • Known for their unique feathered crest.
  • Friendly and docile temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 6 lbs, Females: 4.5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including white-crested black and buff laced
  • Comb: V-shaped comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • Poland
  • United States

16. Sebright

Description

The Sebright chicken is primarily kept for ornamental purposes and is known for its small size and laced feather pattern.

3 Facts

  • Developed in England.
  • Known for their small size and laced feathers.
  • Friendly and docile temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 1.25 lbs, Females: 1 lb
  • Color Patterns: Silver-laced or gold-laced
  • Comb: Rose comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-9 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United Kingdom
  • United States

17. Dorking

Description

The Dorking chicken is a dual-purpose breed known for both meat and egg production, as well as its five toes.

3 Facts

  • Originated in Italy but developed in the United Kingdom.
  • Known for their five toes instead of the usual four.
  • Friendly and docile temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 9 lbs, Females: 7 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including white, silver-gray, and red
  • Comb: Single or rose comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-8 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • United Kingdom
  • United States

18. Fayoumi

Description

The Fayoumi chicken is primarily raised for its resistance to diseases and is also good for egg production.

3 Facts

  • Originated in Egypt.
  • Known for their resistance to diseases like Marek’s.
  • Active and flighty temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 4.5 lbs, Females: 3.5 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Silver-penciled
  • Comb: Single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-7 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • Egypt
  • United States

19. Naked Neck

Description

The Naked Neck chicken is primarily raised for meat and is known for its lack of feathers on the neck.

3 Facts

  • Originated in Romania.
  • Known for their featherless neck.
  • Hardy and adaptable.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 8 lbs, Females: 6 lbs
  • Color Patterns: Various, including black, white, and buff
  • Comb: Single comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-8 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • Romania
  • United States

20. Sultan

Description

The Sultan chicken is primarily kept for ornamental purposes and is known for its unique feathered legs and crest.

3 Facts

  • Originated in Turkey.
  • Known for their feathered legs, crest, and beard.
  • Friendly and docile temperament.

Distinguishable Features

  • Average Weight: Males: 6 lbs, Females: 4 lbs
  • Color Patterns: White
  • Comb: V-shaped comb
  • Average Life Expectancy: 5-7 years

Countries Most Popular In

  • Turkey
  • United States