Descriptions of the 45 best chicken breeds for home breeding, what they are and how to choose

Today there are a large number of chicken breeds known. 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-egg directions. To achieve good results in raising chickens, you should not only choose the right variety, but also provide it with quality care.

Classification of chickens

Birds are classified according to different characteristics. In appearance they are:

• large;
• average;
• dwarf;
• decorative.

Taking into account plumage, the following types are distinguished:

• ordinary;
• hairy legs;
• bare-necked;
• crested.

Birds also differ in color. Males have more saturated colors, a long tail and neck. They are characterized by a clearly defined ridge.

According to their purpose, birds are divided into the following groups:

• egg;
• meat;
• meat and egg

Decorative breeds

These are the most beautiful individuals that have many features. They are grown for decorative purposes.

Bantams

These are Japanese dwarf birds. They are characterized by high activity and ease of care. Birds are black, brown, and speckled in color. They can hardly stand the cold. The bird produces 85-100 eggs.

Seabright

These are graceful dwarf chickens that are characterized by a trusting disposition. They can fly and easily adapt to any conditions. The meat has excellent taste. A laying hen produces 100 eggs.

Paduan

This is a rare meat-egg breed. It is characterized by a long thick crest that forms a cap on the head. However, the earrings and comb are missing. Birds are characterized by a blue beak. Egg production – 120 pieces.

White-crested Dutch blacks

A white crest is visible on the head, which contrasts with the dark plumage. Roosters weigh 2.5 kilograms, hens weigh a little less - 2. Laying hens produce 100-140 eggs.

curly

This is an ornamental meat-egg variety that has raised feathers. This gives the bird a shaggy and disheveled appearance. The paws are also covered with feathers. Birds are characterized by a friendly nature. The annual egg production reaches 120 eggs.

Shabo

This is a meat-eating Japanese variety characterized by short legs, long wings and an erect tail. The chicken is considered friendly and unpretentious. Egg production parameters reach 150 pieces.

Fighting cocks

This is an unusual category of birds that has a cocky character. There are many fighting species.

Azil

This is the oldest breed, which includes many species. The weight of roosters reaches 2.5 kilograms, and hens - 2. Egg production parameters - 120 pieces.

Old English

Representatives of the breed are characterized by a bold and proud character. They are highly trainable. A rooster weighs about 800 grams, a chicken – 700 grams.

Belgian

This is an old variety that was bred 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, hens weigh 3 kilograms. Egg production – 120 pieces.

Meat breeds

Such birds are raised to produce tasty dietary meat. Therefore, they are very popular among farmers. Representatives of such breeds are characterized by a powerful body and loose feathers. They have a phlegmatic character and tasty meat.

Corniche

Initially, the breed was a fighting breed. However, later they began to grow it as meat. A chicken lays 90-130 eggs per year.The weight of females reaches 3 kilograms, males - 4. The meat has a good taste.

Brahma

This is a powerful breed with a calm character. She is unpretentious in care. Raising chickens is easy. Feathered legs are considered a special feature of birds. They lay 160 eggs per year. The chicken weighs 4 kilograms, the rooster - about 5.

Chickens are characterized by late maturation. They have many types. Birds have tasty meat, but it is a little rough.

Cochin

This Chinese variety is characterized by its impressive size. It is characterized by a strong body, a wide chest and a small head with a crest resembling a leaf. A chicken weighs 4 kilograms, a rooster weighs 5. The bird produces no more than 120 eggs per year.

These chickens are easy to care for. They are considered hardy and have an excellent appetite. Raising birds helps produce a lot of tasty meat.

Faverolles

This species of birds was bred in France. Individuals are characterized by a massive body, low paws and a small tail. The weight of the birds does not exceed 3 kilograms. An indisputable advantage is the ease of plucking the carcass.

Birds become strongly attached to their owner. They have a friendly character and powerful build. The meat has a pleasant taste. Representatives of the breed have a tendency to be overweight, so it is recommended to control their diet.

La Flèche

Chicken weight – 3-4 kilograms. It is characterized by gray feathers with a green tint. A distinctive feature is the V-shaped ridge.

Meat-egg birds

These are versatile varieties that produce a lot of eggs and can be used as sources of eggs or meat.

Rhode Island

The birds are characterized by a reddish tint and a green tail. Birds begin to lay eggs 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 eggs starting from six months and produce 190 eggs. The weight of the hen is 2.6 kilograms, the rooster is 3.3.

Plymouth Rock

This variety is characterized by an attractive exterior, large volume of eggs and excellent taste of meat. The bird is large in size. The rooster weighs 6 kilograms, the chicken - 3.6. A laying hen produces 180 eggs.

Jersey giant

Such individuals are characterized by large sizes. With proper care, a rooster weighs 7-8 kilograms. Laying hens 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 the original blue shell. Egg production parameters – 200-210 pieces. Males weigh up to 3.4 kilograms, females - up to 2.7.

Russian Crested

This is a common species that is characterized by a good immune system and endurance. The weight of chickens is 2.2 kilograms, roosters are 3.5. Productivity exceeds 160 eggs.

Foxy Chick

This Hungarian variety is considered productive. The weight of a chicken reaches 4 kilograms, and a rooster – 7. The meat has a delicate taste and juiciness. It contains little fat. A laying hen can lay up to 250 eggs.

Wyandotte

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. Hens weigh up to 2.5 kilograms, roosters - 3.5.

Australorp

This ancient breed originated in Australia. Chickens lay 150-180 eggs. Good productivity continues in winter.The weight of roosters is 4 kilograms, chickens are 2.9.

Maran

These birds are characterized by an elongated body and dense plumage. They produce approximately 150 eggs. Laying hens reach a weight of 3 kilograms, the weight of roosters exceeds 4 kilograms. The advantages are resistance to disease and unpretentiousness.

Bress Galskaya

The main advantage of birds is their rapid maturation. Bress Gali chickens grow rapidly and gain body weight. The breed is also characterized by high egg production. Laying hens produce up to 200 eggs per year.

Galan

This is a Russian species of bird that has become less common. Chickens give 200 eggs. The weight of roosters reaches 4 kilograms, chickens weigh up to 3 kilograms. Individuals have black feathers with a green tint.

Hungarian giant

This variety of chicken is one of the ten best European breeds in terms of productivity. Chickens produce up to 250 eggs. The weight of males reaches 7 kilograms. The chickens weigh 4 kilograms.

Borkovskaya barvistaya

These birds are characterized by a powerful build and a small head. Chickens lay eggs from 4.5-5 months and produce up to 265 eggs. After 2 years, productivity decreases, which is worth taking 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 an easy-going nature. It is easy to breed at home. An indisputable advantage is the pronounced brooding instinct.

Tetra

Features of the birds are 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 survival rate of offspring.At the same time, birds consume a lot of feed during development.

Egg breeds

These breeds of chickens are raised for the purpose of producing eggs. Today there are many varieties that are very popular among farmers.

Leghorn

This variety originated in Italy. Laying hens produce 200-250 eggs. Roosters weigh up to 3 kilograms, chickens - up to 2.5. Birds are characterized by a small body, a wide back and a round chest. The traditional option is white feathers.

Russian white

They are characterized by a white tint of feathers. Birds have a wide and elongated body, developed wings, and a thick neck. Laying hens produce 200-230 eggs per year. Females weigh 1.8 kilograms, males - 2.5.

Italian partridge

This is one of the first egg-laying birds. Excellent genetic characteristics provide excellent egg production parameters.

The bird has good survival rate and pronounced adaptive abilities. A rooster weighs 2.5 kilograms, a chicken - 1.5. Egg production parameters – 190-250.

Pushkinskaya

The birds are characterized by an elongated head and a typical variegated color. The powerful back is complemented by long wings. They lay about 220 eggs. The chicken weighs 2 kilograms, the rooster - 3.

Loman Brown

This is one of the most common egg breeds. The birds are unpretentious, but produce a lot of eggs. This figure reaches 310-320 pieces. Roosters weigh approximately 3 kilograms, chickens - 2.2.

Czech gold

This breed has an unusual color, which is why it is considered decorative. In addition, it has excellent egg production. Hens begin to lay eggs at 5-6 months. Annual egg production – 180 pieces.

Goloshka

It is not difficult to distinguish these chickens. A typical feature is the absence of feathers on the crop and neck.There is a red feather cap on the back of the head. In a year, a chicken produces no more than 130-160 eggs.

Chicken crosses

Today, modern bird hybrids are often used in poultry farming. Bird crosses are highly productive and have excellent early maturity.

Dominant

This is a popular meat-eating breed, which is characterized by a strong body and lush plumage. The dominant has a bright color and is unpretentious. Roosters weigh 3 kilograms, laying hens - 2.5. Egg production parameters reach 300 pieces.

Super Nick

This cross has unremarkable external data. It is characterized by dense white feathers and a compact triangular body. The weight of a rooster is about 2 kilograms, a chicken weighs 1.6. A characteristic feature is considered to be high egg production. Laying hens are capable of producing 350 eggs per year.

Red Kuban

This is a large egg breed. The birds are characterized by a small head and a large leaf-shaped comb. Dense red or red feathers are standard for the bird. The tail and wings have gray or black feathers. In unfavorable conditions, the bird produces at least 250 eggs per year. If the recommendations are strictly followed, 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

This is a rare breed of chicken that produces blue eggs and has delicious meat. Birds are active and need to be kept isolated. They are characterized by high egg production, which is 200 pieces.

Andalusian

This exotic breed of chicken is considered a meat breed. Since the birds are rare, they are raised only for ornamental purposes. The weight of a rooster is 2.5 kilograms, a chicken is 2. The annual parameters of egg production are 180 pieces.

Uheiliyuy

This unique breed was bred in China. It is black in color, including the comb. The weight of a rooster does not exceed 2 kilograms, a chicken - 1.8. The eggs have an original green shell and a unique composition.

Sicilian Buttercup

The breed combines excellent decorative characteristics and an aggressive character. A distinctive feature is the red comb, which resembles a bowl with teeth. Roosters weigh 2.5 kilograms, hens - 2. They lay up to 150 eggs per year.

Selecting laying hens based on productivity

To choose domestic chickens, you should focus on the productivity of the breed. Birds come in meat and egg varieties. Birds of 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. Breeders have been trying for many years to develop new breeds based on it, but they have not been able to increase the rate.

What breed of chicken is best to avoid?

Almost all modern chickens are capable of laying eggs. However, the question is their number and the need to care for the birds. Experts advise excluding the breeding of purebred Minorok chickens. They are characterized by excellent egg production. Adults have a slender, elongated body and a small head, which is decorated with a red comb.

However, it is worth considering that the breed was created in Spain, and therefore it is considered heat-loving. In the south, such chickens can still be raised. At the same time, in the Moscow region and especially in Siberia, they will feel uncomfortable.

Today there are many productive breeds of chickens. Birds differ in appearance, performance indicators, and orientation. To choose the best option, you should focus on your tasks and preferences. To achieve good results in raising birds, they should be provided with proper care.