There are actually hundreds of domesticated chicken breeds all over the world some of which have distinct physical and behavioral characteristics due to cross-breeding and geographical factors. Chicken breeds are categorized according to their principal use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes; some are also categorized as dual-purpose.
Chickens don’t just come in red and white. . .they come in black, as well!
Normally, a breed’s physical traits differentiate it from other chickens such as size, color of plumage, type of comb (style), color of skin color, number of toes, feathering, color of earlobes and eggs, and geographical origin.
All chickens lay eggs, have edible meat, and have a unique appearance common to their particular breed. However, distinct breeds are the result of selective breeding to emphasize certain traits. Any breed may technically be used for general agricultural purposes, and all breeds are shown to some degree. But each chicken breed is known for a primary use.
Chickens for Egg Production
Egg producing chickens are generally light-weight and hens have a balanced temperament.
Egg Producing Chicken Breeds
Ameraucana
Kraienkoppe
Ancona
Lakenvelder
Andalusian
Leghorn
Araucana
Marans
Asturian Painted Hen
Minorca
Barnevelder
Orloff
Campine
Penedesenca
Catalana
Sicilian Buttercup
Easter Egger
White-Faced Black Spanish
Fayoumi
Welsummer
Jærhone
An Aracana Hen
Chickens for Meat Production
People who raise chickens for the meat alone prefer dual purpose breeds for meat production purposes, the following breeds are commonly used.
Common Meat Producing Chicken Breeds
Bresse
Ixworth
Indian Game (or Cornish)
Dual-Purpose Chickens
The chicken breeds usually seen in farms and backyards all over the world are chickens that produce both meat and eggs. Although some of these breeds are slightly better for either egg or meat production, they are normally called dual-purpose breeds.
Common Dual-Purpose Chicken Breeds
Australorp
Marsh Daisy
Brahma
Naked Neck
Braekel
New Hampshire
Buckeye
Norfolk Grey
California Gray
Orpington
Chanticleer
Plymouth Rock
Cubalaya
Poltava
Derbyshire Redcap
Rhode Island Red
Dominique
Rhode Island White
Dorking
Scots Dumpy
Faverolles
Scots Grey
Holland
Sussex
Iowa Blue
Winnebago
Java
Wyandotte
Jersey Giant
Chickens for Game, Exhibition and Show
For more than 100 years, the breeding of chicken for competitive game, exhibition and has greatly influenced the development of chicken breeds. Some breeds have been cross-developed with other breeds in order to come up with game, exhibition and show birds.
Game, Exhibition and Show Breeds
American Game G
Japanese Bantam
Asil G
La Fleche U
Appenzeller U
Malay G
Barbu de Watermael
Modern Game
Bearded d’Anvers
Nankin
Bearded d’Uccle
Old English Game G
Belgian d’Everberg
Pekin
Blue Hen of Delaware G
Phoenix
Booted Bantam
Polish U
Cochin
Rosecomb
Crevecoeur U
Sebright
Croad Langshan U
Serama
Dutch Bantam
Shamo G
Frizzle
Silkie
Ga NoiG
Sultan
Hamburg U
Sumatra
Houdan U
Vorwerk U
