Once you ’ve determined you may de jure own backyard chickens and you ’ve nail down on a purpose for your poultry , it ’s clip to select bird that will fulfill your flock ’s finish . It ’s clock time to get serious . Because choose the wrong Gallus gallus breed can lead to major worry , if not downright disasters .
You may have your heart set on Silkies . But if you subsist in Northern Minnesota , your breed of choice may not survive the harsh local winters .
It ’s crucial to fructify aside an good afternoon — or a weekend — to research the many different types of chickens available in the U.S. Knowing the master traits of each type will help you narrow your list down to a fistful of the breeds that are best for you .
For those new to poultry keeping — and even to old hand — this task can be overwhelming . You may find yourself want one of every type of Gallus gallus out there … or find eliminating stock from your listing such a intimidating task that you decide to corrupt a Carassius auratus instead .
Do n’t despair . Organize !
Use vividness - coded power board or a spreadsheet to show item for each breed you obtain of interest . Once you ’ve stop taking notes , scan your cards or written document to designate the breed or breeds with which you ’ll start up your poultry - keeping experience .
We ’ve previously discussed egg - producing power , including eggs color and size . The following five traits will help you further narrow down your breeds list .
Weather Hardiness
The U.S. consists of a wide variety of climates : desert , tropical , temperate , Arctic and everything in between . Humans have definite predilection as to what character of temperatures they favour . But when it comes to poultry , some dame simply do not thrive in sure condition .
light feather bird flourish in warmer climate but hurt frightfully in chilly area . Their feathering does not trap body heat in sufficiently to keep them warm or preclude frostbite .
Because of their luminosity feather , these raspberry often require special housing and heat to survive the wintertime . If you live in a spicy and/or humid part of the United States , these lightly feathered , heat - stalwart birds are ideal for you .
likewise , heavily feathered wimp strain will thrive in cool mood but swelter and fare ill in ardent region . If you live in a geographical zone know for its frizzy falls and snowy winters , prize thickly feather , cold - hardy birds for your deal .
show more : Here are some tips for store your birds comfy in the coldness .
Body Size
Chicken breeds come in two size : bantam and standard . Bantam breedsare best described as miniature chickens , about about one quarter the size of a received chicken .
bantam are not dwarfs . They are dead proportion , seldom weigh more than a few pounds , and lay small eggs . Standard breeds , also known as magnanimous - fowl chicken , can weigh 12 pound or more depending on the breed .
Many breeds come in both bantam and stock sizes . So , if you have your warmheartedness set on a fluffy - foot Cochin but have a pocket - sized yard , prefer for the bantam variety or else of the monetary standard .
Some stock , however , are rigorously bantam in sizing : Seramas , Silkies , Japanese Bantams and Dutch Bantams are exercise of bantam - only birds . Take the size of your property into careful consideration when selecting the size of your chickens .
You probably do n’t want to expend hours chasing flyspeck , free - cast Sebrights around your acreage . Nor do you want a flock of husky Jersey Giants just bear around on your patio because there is n’t enough elbow room for them to roam .
Body Weight
Many heritage poulet were spawn to yield meat as well as eggs . These threefold - function birds tend to have a thick - set body , a full pectus and an overall dandy density . They include :
Not surprisingly , these chicken breeds also be given to be stale hardy . Breeds that have a lighter , more aerodynamic body ( such as the Appenzeller , the Campine and the Leghorn ) were breed for eggs , beauty or both . These light-headed - bodied birds incline to flourish better in temperate and warmer climates .
Body weight is a serious consideration if you may determine yourself carrying your raspberry to graze or elsewhere . After lugging around your tidy sum of Dark Brahmas , you might like you had selected the light La Fleche instead .
Read more : Do chickens feel ? You wager they do ! Here are 4 emotions your birds may experience .
Temperament
Just like humans , chickens have a wide range of dispositions . Some can be sweet and affectionate , others can be flighty and nervous . Some can even be eminent strung and aggressive .
If you plan to keep chickens as pets for companionship , you ’ll want to select breeds that are known for their gentle , docile natures , such as the Orpington and the Speckled Sussex .
Docile stock are also respectable if you have modest kid who might be spooked by more militant birdie .
The disposition of a breed is one of those grey areas where you may have to give a little to get a destiny back . For instance , if you wish well to raise Polish chickens for exhibition or preservation , you ’ll have to sympathise that these birds frighten easily because their crests usually cover their eyes , limiting their visual sense .
Plan on raising Aseels for their excellent egg - set power ? You ’ll have to consent that this fierce fighter does not mix well with other fowl stock .
Broodiness
Some breed just love bringing chicks into the world . The hens will set on anything : their own testis , another hen ’s egg , golf game balls , anything remotely round in shape .
At first , this can serve as a source of amusement — and societal - media pic . But eventually you realize that a broody hen is a non - fertile biddy . She just sits on her nest in a trancelike state , waiting for her chicks to hatch .
If you do n’t have a cock , your hen ’s going to be sitting there for a long time . And an extended brood can be very insalubrious , since hens rarely eat or drink in during this time .
If your town permits you to keep roosters and lift doll , have one or two broody hen is a great benefit to your tidy sum . If you ’re keeping chickens to produce testicle , however , you wo n’t get far with a flock full of setting hen .
Unfortunately , the broody of chicken stock also are amongst the most pop : Cochins , Silkies , Orpingtons and Dorkings will blithely set on rocks if given the chance . If you do n’t want to take a chance on musing hens , consider non - setting breeds such as Rhode Islands , Leghorns , Spanish , Minorcas and Catalanas .
Online Breed-Research Resources
Ready to do your research ? Several sites offer in - depth information on Gallus gallus breeds and their unlike trait . These include :
Once you ’ve narrow down your list to the strain or breeds you desire for your mint , you ’ll need to know where to find them . That topic will be hash out in next week ’s pillar .
