Are you looking for the best chicken breeds for beginners but are still unsure which one is right for you? Well, I’ve carefully researched and reviewed different breeds to find the most beginner-friendly options. There are hundreds of different chicken breeds worldwide, but only a few meet the criteria to be considered suitable for beginners.
Your first breed is likely going to fuel your love for raising chickens, so make sure you choose wisely. You don’t want to don’t want to end up with a breed that needs expert-level care or specialized supplies that make them challenging to raise when you’re first starting out. Thankfully, there are several breeds to choose from.
Choosing Your First Chicken Breed
There are many reasons as to why you might be interested in raising your first flock. Perhaps you want a feathery backyard pet to keep you company or a steady supply of fresh eggs to enjoy in the mornings. Chickens are also great for natural pet control and produce nutrient-rich manure that fertilizes crops and improves soil quality, making them a popular choice for homesteaders. Whatever the case may be, you ideally want to choose a breed that is easy to handle, low-maintenance, and friendly.
Certain breeds need more maintenance or serve different purposes better than others. Your first chicken breed should be suitable for the intended purpose you plan to raise them for.
Do you want an easy chicken that is comfortable with being handled to keep as a pet in your backyard? It would be better to focus on breeds that are known for being friendly and tolerate being handled.
Are you looking to raise a flock to produce eggs for your family or to sustain a small-scale farm? Then you should focus on breeds that are low-maintenance but prolific egg layers.
If you want a chicken for multiple purposes, perhaps for egg production and to keep as a pet, then a dual-purpose breed might be right for you.
The Best Chicken Breeds for Beginners
1. Speckled Sussex
The Speckled Sussex chicken is by far the most popular beginner-friendly breed. They are one of the oldest British chicken breeds in the world with an ancient history. Originally from Sussex, England, this breed was first exhibited in 1845 during the first-ever poultry show.
They are descendants of the Kentish Fowl, a British breed that was valued for its eggs and meat quality. Even now, the Speckled Sussex remains a favorite amongst hobbyists and farmers.
Sussex chickens come in many colors, but the speckled variety stands out. They have beautiful multi-colored plumage, usually a deep mahogany, and white spots. You will notice that they have medium-sized bodies with broad backs and tails that sit at 45-degree angles.
As a dual-purpose breed, the Speckled Sussex is often raised for meat and egg production. They are also popular backyard chickens and make great, calm-natured pets. They are hardy and resilient to different climates and continue to lay well throughout the winter months.
Another factor that makes them perfect for beginners is that they are prone to few health issues. They are a relatively healthy breed that can live for up to 8 years with proper care.
2. Plymouth Rock
The Plymouth Rock is one of America’s oldest breeds and the perfect dual-purpose backyard chicken. This breed was the nation’s main source of eggs and meat before the end of World War 2, and nearly everyone relied on them for food.
Plymouth Rock hens are prolific egg layers and can lay up to 280 eggs per year. This makes them ideal for beginners who want a friendly breed that can supply three to four eggs per week.
What I love most about this breed is that they are extremely friendly and tolerate being handled more than the others. This makes them suitable for families with children who need a gentle breed to nurture their child’s love for chickens. They are also easy to train and get along well within a flock.
They have a distinctive appearance, with broad bodies, bright yellow beaks, and colorful plumage. There are seven official color variations in the United States. The Barred Plymouth Rock is the most popular color variation, followed by the Buff Rock. They are also available in blue, partridge, columbian, silver penciled, and white.
3. Buff Orpingtons
Very few chicken breeds are as friendly and easy-going as the Buff Orpington. This breed has beautiful golden plumage and many desirable traits that make them a popular choice for beginners.
Buff Orpingtons have a history dating back to 19th-century England, where they are believed to have been created by a breeder named William Cook. He reportedly used different breeds to create the Buff Orpington, although the specific breeds he used are still up for debate.
Despite the breed’s initial popularity as a hardy egg layer, Buff Orpingtons faced a population decline in the 20th century because they couldn’t compete with factory farm breeds. However, dedicated backyard breeders helped to increase their numbers and had them removed from The Livestock Conservancy’s endangered list.
Nowadays, this breed is commonly kept as a family pet and valued for their placidity and eggs.
Buff Orpingtons are excellent egg layers and can provide 200 to 280 large brown eggs a year. This is mainly true for utility strains, as most show or exhibition strains produce fewer eggs. Regardless, they can still make great pets and supply you with two to five eggs per week.
If you aren’t a fan of the buff color variation, you’d be happy to know that there are other colors to choose from. Orpingtons are also available in black, white, blue, and several unstandardized colors.
3. Australorp
The large and docile Australorp is the national bird of Australia and a beloved beginner-friendly breed around the world.
Their name is a contraction of Australian Black Orpington, and they are well-known for being the best egg-laying chickens for beginners. An Australorp once held the world record for laying 364 eggs in a year, although the average is between 250 to 300.
These chickens are medium-sized and are available in colors such as blue and black. Their plumage is glossy and has a stunning greenish sheen in sunlight.
They were originally developed in Australia and are commonly used in meat and egg production worldwide. They are also kept as family pets because of their gentle nature and patience with children. Many hobbyists find that their Australorp is not as flighty and aggressive as other breeds, making them the perfect choice for any flock.
5. Silkie
The Silkie is an unusual chicken breed known for their soft, fluffy plumage. They are one of my favorite beginner breeds and make fantastic pets for first-time owners. It’s unknown where these unique chickens first appeared, but origins point to ancient China, India, or Java.
Silkies get their name from their fluffy plumage that feels like silk. Their plumage comes in various colors, including black, blue, buff, gray, and partridge. They also have other unusual qualities, such as black bones, muscles, skin, and an extra toe on each foot.
Appearances aside, Silkies are the ideal family pet. They are incredibly social and friendly and even enjoy cuddling with children.
Although Silkies are slightly smaller than standard chicken breeds, some backyard farmers still use them for egg and meat production. They produce small, brown eggs that are packed with the same nutritional value as standard-sized eggs.
6. Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is undoubtedly one of the best chicken breeds for beginners. They are usually the first image that comes to mind when most people think of chickens. They have beautiful reddish-brown plumage, bright red wattles, and yellow skin.
Rhode Island Reds are a heritage breed in the United States and were accepted by the American Poultry Association (APA) in 1904. They were developed for meat and egg production, and have remained a favorite in the commercial industry for their rapid growth and excellent egg-laying abilities.
Many hobbyists raise this breed as a backyard pet because they are docile and easy to care for. They are a relatively healthy breed that is prone to few health problems. They adapt well to both warm and cold climates and don’t need any special care requirements to be happy and healthy.
7. Easter Egger
Easter Egger chickens are hybrids who are defined as any mixed breed that carries a blue egg gene (oocyan). The Araucana and Ameraucana are typically the main breeds used to create the Easter Egger.
Since they are hybrids, these chickens don’t have a lengthy history, unless you count their parents’. It also means that they have an unpredictable appearance.
The Easter Egger comes in many colors, such as gold, gray, brown, and tan. Their chicks tend to look different as well, with adorable ear tufts, beards, and sometimes no tail. Although their plumage tends to be dull-colored, they produce colorful eggs available in blue, light pink, olive, green, and cream.
They are a dual-purpose breed and are primarily used for egg production. But, they also make fantastic family pets and can supply you with colorful, tasty eggs. The Easter Egger is also quite popular with children due to their friendliness and unique eggs that young children enjoy collecting.
8. Lohmann Brown
Staying true to the phrase “saving the best for last”, the Lohmann Brown chicken is a hybrid breed and famous egg layer. Lohmann Brown chickens originate from Germany and were selectively bred from White Rock and Rhode Island breeds. Their adaptability, robust health, and low maintenance are ideal traits for various farmers and homesteaders.
They were specifically created for egg production and they are commonly used for both commercial and small-scale farming. The hens are excellent egg layers and can produce up to 320 eggs per year, meaning they lay an egg nearly every day.
They are often described as confident and easy-going, making them the perfect backyard chicken. They have a simple appearance, with orange-brown feathers and shades of caramel. They are medium-sized and have small heads, which makes them distinguishable from other similar-looking breeds.
Final Thoughts
Out of all the hundreds of chicken breeds, these are the top eight options for beginners. You don’t need much knowledge or experience to successfully care for these breeds. However, you should still do plenty of individual research before getting a chicken.
Make sure that the breed you choose is suitable for your lifestyle, climate, and for the purpose you intend to raise them for. I hope you enjoyed this article on the best chicken breeds for beginners, and that it helped you choose your ideal first breed.
FAQ: Best Chicken Breeds for Beginners
Q: What is the easiest chicken breed to care for as a beginner?
A: The Australorp and Buff Orpington are two of the easiest chicken breeds for beginners. These breeds are known for their friendly nature, adaptability, and low maintenance. Both are also prolific egg layers, making them ideal for those starting their backyard flock.
Q: How many chickens should a beginner start with?
A: For beginners, I’d recommend starting with 3 to 6 chickens. This size flock provides enough eggs for a small family, and chickens thrive better in groups. Starting small allows you to learn about care and coop maintenance without being overwhelmed.
Q: Which chicken breeds are best for families with children?
A: Breeds like Plymouth Rock, Silkie, and Buff Orpington are great for families with children. These breeds are known for being friendly, gentle, and easy to handle, making them excellent companions for young children and first-time chicken keepers.
Q: Can I raise chickens in a small backyard?
A: Yes, you can raise chickens in a small backyard, but it’s important to choose the right breed. Silkies and Easter Eggers are good options for limited space, as they are smaller, quieter, and friendly. Make sure to provide them with enough space in the coop and run for optimal health.
Q: How often do beginner-friendly chickens lay eggs?
A: Beginner-friendly breeds like Australorp, Rhode Island Red, and Lohmann Brown can lay between 250 to 320 eggs per year. These prolific layers provide a consistent supply of eggs, making them perfect for first-time chicken keepers focused on egg production.
