Types Of Chickens On Country Farms

There are different types of chickens for eating, laying eggs and etc. which most people don't even give a second thought about. However, for those of us who live on a country farm, have children in 4-H, or are simply striving to become more self-sufficient, we need to know which chickens are best for our purposes.

There are basically four separate types of chickens: chickens raised for meat, chickens raised to lay eggs, chickens raised to produce eggs and be a source of meat, and fancy breeds that are primarily for showing.

Each breed has its very own characteristics and set of possible health issues, so be sure to do thorough research when considering raising chickens.

Best Meat Chickens

Some of the best meat chickens recommended include Lanshan, Dorking, and Cornish Cross. We have raised Cornish Cross chickens to the size of a small turkey. They are tender and juicy with lots of meat. Talk about a great way to feed our large family!

Chicken breeds raised primarily for the purpose of producing meat typically grow very fast and very large within a short period of time. These chickens can be gracing your dining room table at the ripe young age of only 6 weeks (if raised to the 'fryer' stage), so they are a steady and dependable source of meat.

Egg Laying Chickens

Chickens raised for egg laying purposes can be laying eggs at a very young age of 4-5 months old. Breeds popular for egg laying are Leghorn, Barred Rock, Red Star, Cuckoo Maran, Black Star, Light Sussex, Naked Neck, and Plymouth Rock.

Egg laying chicken breeds are less likely to go broody, so they'll lay a good number of eggs consistently.

Dual Purpose Breeds

There are several chicken breeds that can be used for both meat and eggs. These hybrid breeds are called general purpose or dual purpose breeds and are ideal for a small farm, homestead, or even for a backyard flock.

Bred to be a bit more hardy and to experience fewer health problems, they are a good choice for beginners too. Chicken breeds to consider for this category would include Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock, Ameraucana, Araucana, Buff Orpington, New Hampshire, Wyandotte, and Australorp.

Fancy Breeds For Showing

Fancy chicken breeds were originally bred for showing. These beautiful breeds have features such as feathered feet, five toes, and/or bearded or crested feathering. The colors of fancy breeds are easy on the eye and most interesting to look at.

Some fancy chicken breeds include Partridge Wyandotte, Blue Leghorn, Silver Pencilled Wyandotte, Silkie (and several other breeds of Bantams), Rhode Island Red, and Wheaten Old English Game. Many of these types of chickens are seen during fair time as they're being shown by 4-H'ers of all ages.

There are, literally, hundreds of breeds of chickens! Depending on the reason you're looking into the different types or breeds of poultry, you'll want to do as much research as possible to make sure you get the breed that is just right for you and your farm.

One of the best ways to get educated about the many types of chickens is to chat with experienced poultry farmers. They'll be able to tell you all the not-so-noted things about different breeds and possibly help you make your final decision.