Breed Profiles and Characteristics

Which Breed is Right For You?

There are many different breeds of chickens, each with its unique characteristics. Some breeds are known for their egg-laying ability, while others are raised for meat. Some breeds are known for their ornamental value and are kept for their beautiful plumage.
The 🙂 represents we have enjoyed this breed’s presence on our farm.

This section is a new addition and a work in progress; your patience is appreciated.

Ameraucana, Araucana, or Easter Egger? 🙂

The Ameraucana is defined as an Easter Egger, as any chicken that possesses the blue egg gene but doesn’t fully meet any breed description as defined in the APA standards.
Standard Weight: 4.5-6.5 lbs,
Standard & Bantam Size
Egg Laying: Very Good,
Egg Colors: Green/Blue, Pink, Multi, Brown,
Egg Size: Large

Australorp 🙂

Status: Recovering
Use: Eggs, Meat
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: Large
Weight: 5.5 – 7.5 lbs
Temperament: Active, gentle

Black Star 🙂

The Black Star, also known as a Black Sex-Link is produced by two separate breeds. The breeds are usually a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster mated with a Barred Plymouth Rock hen. The Black Star is known for its hardiness, excellent egg-laying ability, and attractive appearance. Continue Reading

Brahma

Status: Recovering
Use: Eggs, Meat
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: Medium to Large
Weight: 8 – 10 lbs
Temperament: Calm, docile

Brakel

Primary Use: eggs
Egg Production: 180 Yearly
Egg Size: Small
Temperament: Active
Recognized Variety: Gold, Silver
Egg Color: White

Campine

Type: Large Fowl
Size: Male: 6lb. / Female 4lb.
Purpose: Egg Laying
Eggs: Med/large white, about 3 times per week.
Recognized Varieties: Silver & Golden.
Non-Setter
Single comb

Chantecler

Use: Eggs, Meat
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: Large
Weight: 5.5 – 7.5 lb
Temperament: Gentle
Winter Hardy, inter layer

Cookies & Cream (A Hybrid)

When fully grown this breed will be a medium size, with feathered legs and mottled feathers.
Produce cream-colored eggs
Crosses are generally created for egg production qualities, egg color, or feather color variations or patterns.
May or many not have 5 toes.

Delaware

Breed Purpose: Dual Purpose
Comb Type: Single
Broodiness: Occasional, very good mothers.
Climate Tolerance: Cold Hardy.
Weight: 8.5 lbs roosters, 6.5 lbs hens.
Egg Productivity: Good
Egg Size: Large/Jumbo
Egg Color: Light Brown

Dominique 🙂

Purpose: Dual, Eggs/Meat
Eggs: 230-275
Egg Color: Brown, Medium Size
Weight: 6lb
The birds’ plumage pattern, also known as “hawk coloring”, offers some protection against some aerial predators.

Dorking

Primary Use: Meat/Eggs
Egg Production: 140 – 200 Yearly
Egg Size: Medium / Large
Temperament: Calm, Docile
Recognized Variety: Colored, Red, Rose Comb White, Silver Grey, White
Egg Color: White ? Tinted
Weight: 6-8 lbs
Most Dorking hens will go broody, make good mothers and are quite docile.

Frizzle 🙂

Primary Use: eggs
Egg Size: Small
Temperament: Good forager, Hardy
Recognized Variety: Black, Blue, Cuckoo, White
Egg Color: Tinted, White
Origin: Asia

Lakenvelder

Small when mature, 3 to 4 Ibs.
Black and white markings and slate-colored legs
White egg layer
Non-setter
180-200 eggs per year

🙂 Mille Fleur d’Uccle

Mille Fleur means “Thousand Flowers” in French, which refers to the colorful feather patterns on the birds.
Type: Ornamental
Size: Small
Egg Laying: Fair, Small

Naked Neck Turken

Size: 6.5 to 8 pounds
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Black, Buff, Red, White
Egg Laying: 2-3 per week
Egg Size: Medium
Egg Color: Light Brown
Personality: Docile & Friendly
Broody/Setters

Orpington 🙂

Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: 7-8 pounds
Purpose: Meat / Egg
Recognized Varieties: Buff, Black, Blue, White
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: Large, 3-4 per week.
Broody / Setter

Plymouth Rock 🙂

Primary Use: Meat/Eggs
Egg production: 280 Yearly
Egg size: Large
Temperament: Calm
Recognized Variety: Barred, Black, Black Frizzle, Blue, Buff, Columbian, Partridge, Silver Penciled, White
Egg Color: Brown, Light Brown

Polish 🙂

Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Small (4-5 lbs)
Purpose: Ornamental
Recognized Varieties: Bearded: Black Crested White, White Crested Black. Bearded & non-bearded: Golden, Silver, White, Buff Laced.
Egg Laying: Good (150-200 Annually)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: Medium / Bantam, Small

Rhode Island Red 🙂

Primary Use: Meat/Eggs
Egg Production: 260 Yearly
Egg Size: Large
Temperament: Hardy
Recognized Variety: Rose Comb, Single Comb
Egg Color: Brown

Salmon Faverolle

Salmon Faverolles originated in a small village in France called Faverolles. Their genetic composition is believed to be a mix of Houdan, Brahma, French Rennes, Flemish cuckoo, Malines and Dorking.

Sebright

Breed purpose: Ornamental
Comb Type: Rose
Broodiness: Seldom
Climate Tolerance: Average
Weight: 22oz males, 20oz females.
Egg Productivity: Poor
Egg Size: Small
Egg Color: White/tinted

Serama

Class: Single Comb Clean Legged
Type: Bantam
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Ornamental
Egg Laying: Very Good (4/wk)
Egg Color: Cream or Tinted
Egg Size: Tiny (bantam)

Silkie Bantam 🙂

Silkies are a breed of chicken known for their fluffy, soft plumage that resembles fur. They have a distinctive appearance, five toes, and with combs and wattles should be a mulberry color or black. Their beak is usually a blue-gray color. They have black eyes and are described as exotic chickens. They are prized for their soft fluffy appearance and are quite popular in showing and exhibition.

Speckled Sussex

Primary Use: Meat/Eggs
Egg Production: 250 Yearly
Egg Size: Large
Temperament: Alert, Docile
Recognized Variety: Brown, Buff, Buff Columbian, Coronation, Light, Red, Silver, Speckled, White
Egg Color: Brown, Cream, Tan

Standard Cochin 🙂

Status: Recovering
Use: Meat, Ornamental
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: Large
Market Weight: 7 – 9 lbs
Temperament: Friendly, docile
Characteristics:
One of the best broody breeds, good in cold climates. Excellent capon at 12 months of age.