You’re ready to get chickens! But what kinds? After all, there are so many varieties and colors to choose from. Read further for some tips on selecting the best birds for you.
Consider the Source
First, find a trusted source for your chicks. Hatcheries and bricks-and-mortar stores are often good choices. Many hatcheries offer mail-order options; local feed stores allow you to come in and choose your own. Ask the stores if the chicks have been vaccinated against Marek’s disease and coccidiosis. A majority of hatcheries will vaccinate the chicks if you request it when your order is placed.
Make sure the birds are sexed (most people want pullets, or young hens, rather than cockerels, or young roosters). Hatcheries and local feed stores generally offer sexed chicks; however, when purchasing from local farms or breeders, exercise some caution—you may get a straight run (50/50 male-female split). Sometimes a savvy seller knows the sex—and you can unwittingly end up with roosters!
Then, consider the characteristics of the breeds.
Climate Considerations
A major factor to take into consideration is the climate where you live. Some breeds are well suited for both hot and cold climates, while other breeds are suited only for hot or cold temperatures.
- Cold hardy birds are generally heritage breeds that are also dual purpose. Many were bred in the New England states or other cold climates. A key feature of cold-hardy breeds is their small combs and wattles. Some examples include Buff Orpington, Barred Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Buckeye, Rhode Island Red, Ameraucana, Turken Australorp, Buckeye, Maran, and Jersey Giant.
- Heat-tolerant breeds such the Leghorn, Minorca, Andalusian, and Fayoumi were bred in hot climates, mostly Mediterranean areas. They have large combs and wattles, which act as cooling devices. Leghorns are very prolific layers of white eggs.
Poultry Purpose
Next, consider the purpose of your birds. Are they for eggs, meat, or companionship?
- Dual-purpose breeds were bred for both meat and eggs. Many are traditional heritage breeds that were developed over time for a specific purpose. The hens generally lay lots of eggs but may stop if they go broody, or want to hatch chicks.
- Hybrid production hens can produce hundreds of eggs over the first two to three years of their life. These birds are not a true breed; they are a cross between two breeds that lay a lot of eggs, such as a Rhode Island Red and a Leghorn. Some hybrids include ISA Brown, Easter Egger, Gold Star, Black Star, Cinnamon Queen, and Amberlink.
- Ornamental breeds are typically smaller and have more intricate color patterns than other birds. However, they tend to become broody and lay smaller and fewer eggs than other breeds. Ornamentals include Polish, Cochin, Belgian D’Uccle, Silkie, and Sultan.
- Bantams are smaller breeds that tend to be prettier and lay fewer, smaller eggs. They also tend to go broody. Bantams may be considered heritage or ornamental but are not kept for eggs or meat. Examples include the Dutch Bantam, Silkie, Belgian D’Uccle, Serama, Sebright, and Penciled Hamburg. Some breeds have both bantam and large fowl varieties (e.g., Cochin, Rhode Island Red, Brahma, Plymouth Rock). Others exist only as bantams (e.g., Serama, Silkie, Sebright, Dutch Bantams.)
- Meat birds are a hybrid cross between a Cornish and a White Plymouth Rock. Typically harvested at around 6 to 8 weeks of age, they produce about a pound of meat for every two pounds of feed. Because they gain so much weight so quickly, their legs and hearts often fail.
For more detailed information on chicken breeds, check out Henderson’s Breed Chart.
Good luck with your choices!
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