Chicken Breeds We Like

Chickens are a great addition to the farm or backyard. Over the years, we've had many different breeds of chickens. We've listed some of our favorite of chickens breeds below.

Buff Orphington

  • Originated in England
  • Recognized as distinct breed in 1901
  • Heritage Breed*
  • Quiet, kind, sweet disposition
  • Can be used for meat and eggs (not as plump as the Cornish Cross)
  • Will set nests
  • Approximate weights: Hens 7.5 pounds, Roosters 9.5 pounds

Black Australorp

  • Originated in Australia
  • Recognized as a distint breed in 1929
  • Heritage Breed*
  • Lays approximately 240 brown eggs per year
  • Thin bird and not recommended to be raised as a meat bird
  • Approximate weights: Hens 6 pounds, Roosters 8 pounds

Barred Plymouth Rock

  • Originated in United States
  • Recognized as a distint breed in 1874
  • Heritage Breed*
  • Lays approximately 240 brown eggs per year
  • Can be used for meat and eggs (not as plump as the Cornish Cross)Approximate weights: Hens 7 pounds, Roosters 9 pounds

Rhode Island Red

  • Originated in United States
  • Recognized as a distint breed in 1904
  • Heritage Breed*
  • Nice Deposition
  • Lays approximately 240 brown eggs per year
  • Thin bird and not recommended to be raised as a meat bird
  • Approximate weights: Hens 7 pounds, Roosters 9 pounds

Red Star (Sex Link)

  • Red Star (Sex Link)
  • Originated in United States
  • Called a sex link because pullets are brownish red and cockerels are white
  • Nice disposition
  • Lays approximately 275 brown eggs per year
  • Thin bird and not recommended to be raised as a meat bird
  • Approximate weights: Hens 6 pounds, Roosters 8 pounds

*Heritage breeds are traditional livestock breeds that were raised by our forefathers. These are the breeds of a bygone era, before industrial agriculture became a mainstream practice. These breeds were carefully selected and bred over time to develop traits that made them well-adapted to the local environment and they thrived under farming practices and cultural conditions that are very different from those found in modern agriculture. According to the The Livestock Conservancy, 190 breeds of farm animals have gone extinct during the last 15 years.

Other Farm Animals We Enjoy