What birds of a feather will flock together in YOUR backyard?
Whether you want your chickens hardy or silky, or whether you want green or dark-brown eggs, there’s a breed out there that’s just right for you. Jen B has some tips on which pollos to pick for your backyard bunch.
Choosing Chicken Breeds
Why this Matters
Picking the right breed, quantity and gender will make you and your chicks happy from the start. Also, you won’t be supporting factory farming by buying eggs from the store – big bonus.
On a Personal Note
I had no idea that some breeds were less hardy, and I fell in love with a cuckoo maran, oh-so-cleverly naming her Cuckoo. She fell sick, and after a few weeks of daily baths, preparing favorite meals, and daily trips to graze in green grass, she took flight to chicken heaven. Cuckoo lives on in the JenB TV logo.
Ready to Try?
- Watch the episode to find out more about what breeds could be right for you.
- Take this short quiz to generate your personalized list of chicken breeds, or check out this quick guide to figure out which ones are right for your sitch.
- My Pet Chicken is the place to order day-old baby chicks online because they have the most breeds and the smallest minimum order size. (If you are ready to order, don’t delay because the popular breeds sell out quickly!)
A Deeper Dig
Mother Earth News published an informative article on the best breeds based by category based on the real experiences of over 1,000 survey participants.
Our Fresh Pick
Strut your chicken-breed smarts with this coffee table book
Did You Know?
Chickens are the closest living descendants of the T-Rex?
LOVED this episode! Way to go, Dare to Dream farms! My favorite breed is the Americauna.
Jessica!!! Love D2D Farms! My Americauna (Easter Egger) is wonderful, loud whenever she loses the rest of the flock, and lays beautiful green eggs! xo Jeanne
I have an Australorp (Tuesday), a Barred Rock (Lucy), a Golden Sexlink (Loretta), an Easter Egger (Hawkeye Henrietta), a Rhode Island Red (Lucky), and a Blue Andalusian (Monet) – all from Dare 2 Dream Farms! I chose them for friendliness first, laying second. They’re my GIRLS!
Love the names of your girls, Jeanne! I had a Henrietta once too. She was an adoptee… a red cochin frizzle.. she didn’t make it through winter b/c of those fancy mixed breeds not being super hardy. But she was sure cute while she lasted!!
i have leghorn crosses and there vary nice chickens i also have one guinea hen.
Ohhhh a guinea hen! Tell us more about that! Does it live with the chicks? give good eggs? is especially cuddly? 😉
My favorite chicken that I’ve seen so far (other than Easter Egger) is Amber Star Hybrids who has Very good reviews on backyard chickens.com. Which I hope I can get when I find a place of my own.