Descriptions of the 45 best chicken breeds for home breeding, which are and how to choose
A large number of chicken breeds are known today. They differ in appearance, body weight, and egg production parameters. There are also fighting and decorative breeds. To choose the best option, you should focus on its purpose. At the same time, there are meat, egg and meat-and-meat directions. To achieve good results in growing chickens, it is worth not only choosing the correct variety, but also providing it with high-quality care.
Chicken classification
Birds are classified according to various characteristics. In appearance, they are:
- large;
- medium;
- dwarf;
- decorative.
Taking into account the plumage, the following types are distinguished:
- ordinary;
- fur-legged;
- bare-necked;
- crested.
Feathered also differ in color. Males have richer shades, long tail and neck. They are characterized by a pronounced crest.
By appointment, birds are divided into the following groups:
- egg;
- meat;
- meaty.
Decorative breeds
These are the most beautiful individuals that have many features. They are grown for decorative purposes.
Bentamki
These are Japanese dwarf birds. They are characterized by high activity and unpretentious care. In color, birds are black, brown, speckled. They can hardly stand the cold. The bird produces 85-100 eggs.
Sibright
These are graceful dwarf chickens, which are characterized by a trusting disposition. They can fly and easily adapt to any conditions. The meat has excellent taste. The hen gives 100 eggs.
Paduan
This is a rare meat-and-meat breed. It is characterized by a long, dense crest, which forms a cap on the head. In this case, the earrings and scallop are absent. The birds are characterized by a blue beak. Egg production - 120 pieces.
White-crested Dutch black
A white crest is visible on the head, which contrasts with the dark plumage. Roosters weigh 2.5 kilograms, chickens weigh a little less - 2. Laying hens give 100-140 eggs.
Curly
It is an ornamental meat-and-meat variety that has raised feathers.This gives the bird a shaggy and tousled look. Feathers are also covered with paws. The birds are characterized by a friendly character. Annual egg production reaches 120 eggs.
Shabo
It is a meaty Japanese variety with short legs, long wings and a raised tail. The chicken is considered to be friendly and unpretentious. Egg production parameters reach 150 pieces.
Fighting roosters
This is an unusual category of birds that has a cocky character. There are many fighting types.
Azil
It is the oldest breed and includes many species. The weight of the males reaches 2.5 kilograms, and the hens - 2. Parameters of egg production - 120 pieces.
Old English
The breed is characterized by a bold and proud character. They are very trainable. The rooster weighs about 800 grams, the chicken 700 grams.
Belgian
This is an old variety that was developed in the seventeenth century. Roosters weigh about 5 kilograms, chickens - 4 kilograms.
Moscow view
This species is characterized by 2 directions - meat and fighting. Roosters reach 6 kilograms, chickens weigh 3 kilograms. Egg production - 120 pieces.
Meat breeds
These poultry are raised for delicious dietary meat. Therefore, they are very popular with farmers. Representatives of such breeds are characterized by a powerful body and loose feathers. They have a phlegmatic character and tasty meat.
Cornish
The breed was originally a fighting breed. However, later they began to grow it as meat. A chicken lays 90-130 eggs per year. The mass of females reaches 3 kilograms, males - 4. The meat tastes good.
Brama
It is a powerful breed with a calm disposition. She is unpretentious in care. Raising chickens is easy. Feathered legs are considered a feature of birds. They bring 160 eggs a year. A chicken weighs 4 kilograms, a rooster about 5.
Chickens are characterized by late ripening. They have many types. The birds have tasty meat, but it is a bit rough.
Cochinchins
This Chinese variety is impressive in size. It is characterized by a strong body, a wide chest and a small head with a ridge resembling a leaf. The chicken weighs 4 kilograms, the rooster - 5. The bird gives no more than 120 eggs per year.
Such chickens are distinguished by unpretentious care. They are considered hardy and have an excellent appetite. Raising birds helps you get a lot of delicious meat.
Faverol
This species of birds was bred in France. Individuals are characterized by a massive body, low paws and a small tail. The mass of birds does not exceed 3 kilograms. An indisputable advantage is the ease of plucking the carcass.
Birds are very attached to the owner. They have a friendly character and a powerful physique. The meat has a pleasant taste. Representatives of the breed tend to be overweight, therefore it is recommended to control their nutrition.
La Flèche
The mass of the chicken is 3-4 kilograms. It is characterized by gray feathers with a green tint. A distinctive feature is the V-shaped ridge.
Meat birds
They are versatile varieties that produce many eggs and can be used as sources of eggs or meat.
Rhode Island
Birds have a reddish tint and a green tail. Birds begin to lay at 7 months. Productivity - 220 pieces. An adult male weighs 3.9 kilograms, a female 2.9.
New Hampshire
These chickens are considered a variety of the Rhode Island breed. The livestock is characterized by excellent survival rate. Chickens begin to lay from six months and produce 190 eggs. Laying hen weight - 2.6 kilograms, rooster - 3.3.
Plymouth Rock
This variety is characterized by an attractive conformation, large egg volume and excellent meat flavor. The bird is large in size. The rooster weighs 6 kilograms, the chicken 3.6. The hen gives 180 eggs.
Jersey giant
Such individuals are characterized by large sizes.With proper care, the rooster weighs 7-8 kilograms. Layers produce 180 eggs per year and weigh 4.5-5 kilograms.
Legbar
This variety is chosen by farmers who like unusual chickens. Legbar produces eggs with an original blue hue. Egg production parameters - 200-210 pieces. Males weigh up to 3.4 kilograms, females up to 2.7.
Russian crested
It is a common species that is characterized by a good immune system and endurance. The weight of chickens is 2.2 kilograms, roosters - 3.5. Productivity exceeds 160 eggs.
Foxy Chick
This Hungarian variety is considered productive. The chicken weighs 4 kilograms, and the rooster weighs 7. The meat has a delicate taste and juiciness. It is low in fat. The hen is capable of producing up to 250 eggs.
Wyandot
This breed appeared in North America in the nineteenth century. Today, more than 15 species of such birds are known, which differ in color. Egg production parameters - 170 pieces. Chickens weigh up to 2.5 kilograms, roosters - 3.5.
Australorp
This long-standing breed originated in Australia. Chickens produce 150-180 eggs. Good productivity is maintained even in winter. The weight of the roosters is 4 kilograms, of the hens - 2.9.
Maran
These birds are characterized by an elongated body and dense plumage. They yield approximately 150 eggs. Layers weigh up to 3 kilograms, the mass of males exceeds 4 kilograms. Disease resistance and unpretentiousness are considered advantages.
Bress Galskaya
Rapid maturation is considered the main advantage of birds. Bress Gali chickens are growing rapidly and gaining body weight. Also, the breed is characterized by high egg production. Laying hens produce up to 200 eggs per year.
Galan
This is a Russian bird species that has become less common. Chickens give 200 eggs. Roosters weigh up to 4 kilograms, chickens weigh up to 3 kilograms. Individuals have black feathers with a green tint.
Hungarian giant
This type of chicken is one of the ten best European breeds in terms of productivity. Chickens give up to 250 eggs. The weight of males reaches 7 kilograms. Chickens weigh 4 kilograms.
Borkovskaya barvy
These birds are characterized by a powerful constitution and a small head. Chickens lay from 4.5-5 months and produce up to 265 eggs. After 2 years, productivity decreases, which should be taken into account to maintain the productivity of the flock.
The breed is characterized by high quality meat. The bird is able to adapt to any weather conditions and has a docile nature. It is easy to breed it at home. A pronounced incubation instinct is considered an indisputable advantage.
Tetra
The bird features a small head, a scarlet comb and a short neck. The hybrid has good productivity parameters. They produce up to 300 eggs per year, weighing 60-65 grams.
These chickens are characterized by high quality eggs and meat. They have excellent immunity and good offspring survival. Moreover, birds consume a lot of food during development.
Egg breeds
Such breeds of chickens are raised for the purpose of obtaining eggs. Today there are many varieties that are very popular with farmers.
Leghorn
This variety originated in Italy. Laying hens produce 200-250 eggs. Roosters weigh up to 3 kilograms, hens - up to 2.5. The birds are characterized by a small body, a broad back and a round chest. White feathers are considered a traditional option.
Russian white
They are characterized by a white tint of feathers. The birds have a wide and elongated body, developed wings, and a thickened neck. Layers produce 200-230 eggs per year. Females weigh 1.8 kilograms, males 2.5.
Italian partridge
This is one of the first birds of the egg direction. Excellent genetic traits provide excellent egg production parameters.
The bird is distinguished by good survival rate and pronounced adaptive abilities. The rooster weighs 2.5 kilograms, the chicken 1.5. Egg production parameters - 190-250.
Pushkinskaya
The birds are characterized by an elongated head and a typical variegated color. Long wings complement the powerful back. They produce about 220 eggs. A chicken weighs 2 kilograms, a rooster 3.
Lohman Brown
This is one of the most common egg breeds. The birds are unpretentious, but they give a lot of eggs. This figure reaches 310-320 pieces. Roosters weigh about 3 kilograms, chickens - 2.2.
Czech gold
This breed has an unusual color, therefore it is considered decorative. In addition, it has excellent egg production. Chickens begin to lay at 5-6 months. Annual egg production - 180 pieces.
Holosheyka
It is not difficult to distinguish these chickens. The absence of feathers on the goiter and neck is considered a typical feature. There is a red feather cap on the back of the head. The chicken produces no more than 130-160 eggs per year.
Chicken crosses
Today, modern bird hybrids are often used in poultry farming. Feathered crosses are highly productive and have excellent early maturity.
Dominant
This is a popular meat-and-meat breed, which is characterized by a strong body and lush plumage. The dominant has a bright color and is unpretentious. Roosters weigh 3 kilograms, layers - 2.5. Egg production parameters reach 300 pieces.
Super Nick
This cross has an unremarkable appearance. It is characterized by dense white feathers and a compact triangular body. The rooster weighs about 2 kilograms, the chicken weighs 1.6. High egg production is considered a characteristic feature. Layers are capable of producing 350 eggs per year.
Red Kuban
This is a large egg-type breed. The birds are characterized by a small head and a large leaf-shaped scallop. For the bird, dense red or red feathers are standard. Gray or black feathers are present on the tail and wings. In unfavorable conditions, the bird produces at least 250 eggs per year. With a clear implementation of the recommendations, this parameter can be increased to 340 pieces.
Rare and expensive varieties
These breeds are rare due to their price. The uniqueness of chickens is due to the fact that they are on the verge of extinction. This is due to low productivity, difficulties in care and whimsicality.
Ameraucana
It is a rare breed of chicken that bears blue eggs and has tasty meat. Birds are active and need to be kept in isolation. They are characterized by high egg production, which is 200 pieces.
Andalusian
This exotic breed of chicken is considered meat. Since birds are rare, they are only raised for decorative purposes. Rooster weight - 2.5 kilograms, chicken - 2. Annual parameters of egg production - 180 pieces.
Uheyiluy
This unique breed was developed in China. She is black in color, including the comb. Rooster weight does not exceed 2 kilograms, chicken - 1.8. The eggs have an original green shell and a unique composition.
Sicilian Buttercup
The breed combines excellent decorative characteristics and aggressive character. A distinctive feature is a red comb, which resembles a bowl with teeth. Roosters weigh 2.5 kilograms, chickens - 2. They bring up to 150 eggs per year.
Choosing layers for productivity
To choose domestic chickens, you should focus on the productivity of the breed. Feathered are meat and egg. Birds in the egg direction must have the required egg production parameters. These include the Leghorn breed, whose representatives produce up to 300 eggs per year.
Italy is considered the birthplace of birds. For many years, breeders have tried to develop new breeds based on it, but they failed to increase the indicator.
What breed of chickens is better to refuse
Almost all modern chickens are capable of laying eggs. However, the question lies in their number and the need to care for the birds. Experts advise to exclude breeding of purebred Minoroc chickens. They are characterized by excellent egg production.Adults have a slender elongated body and a small head adorned with a red comb.
However, it should be borne in mind that the breed was created in Spain, and therefore it is considered thermophilic. In the south, such chickens can still be raised. At the same time, in the Moscow region and even more so in Siberia, they will feel uncomfortable.
Today there are many productive chicken breeds. Feathered differ in appearance, performance, focus. To choose the best option, you should focus on tasks and preferences. To achieve good results in raising birds, they should be provided with proper care.
