The 15 Best Backyard Chicken Breeds for Beginners
Are you considering adding a flock of chickens to your backyard? Whether you’re dreaming of fresh eggs every morning or simply looking for delightful pets, choosing the right breeds is the first step towards a successful chicken-keeping experience.
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming for beginners to navigate the world of backyard chickens. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the 15 best chicken breeds for beginners, covering a range of factors from egg production to temperament.
Before Choosing a Chicken Breed
Several important factors need to be carefully considered to ensure that the selected breed aligns with your needs, preferences, and circumstances. Here are some important considerations.
- Purpose: Determine the primary purpose for keeping chickens. Are you primarily interested in egg production, meat, pest control, ornamental value, or a combination of these factors? This will help narrow down the breeds that best suit your goals.
- Egg Production: If you prioritize egg production, research breeds known for their prolific laying abilities. Consider factors such as egg size, color, frequency, and consistency.
- Meat Quality: For those interested in raising chickens for meat, investigate breeds renowned for their meat quality, including tenderness, flavor, and growth rate.
- Climate Compatibility: Assess your local climate and choose breeds that are well-suited to it. Some breeds thrive in colder climates, while others are more tolerant of heat. Consider factors such as cold hardiness, heat tolerance, humidity resistance, and overall adaptability.
- Temperament: Consider the temperament of different breeds, especially if you have children or other pets. Some breeds are docile and friendly, making them ideal for family pets, while others may be more flighty or aggressive.
- Broodiness: Determine whether you want hens that are prone to broodiness (sitting on eggs to hatch them). Broody hens can be beneficial if you plan to hatch your own chicks but may be less productive in terms of egg laying.
- Noise Level: Consider the noise level associated with different breeds, particularly if you live in a suburban or urban area with noise restrictions. Some breeds are quieter than others, which may be more suitable for urban environments.
- Health and Disease Resistance: Look for breeds that are known for their resilience to common poultry diseases and parasites. Healthy birds will require less veterinary care and maintenance.
Best Backyard Chicken Breeds for Beginners
Rhode Island Reds
These low-maintenance birds are known for their robust nature and consistent egg-laying abilities, Rhode Island Reds are a popular choice among backyard chicken enthusiasts. These hardy birds are well-suited to adapt to most climates and are excellent layers of large brown eggs.
Rhode Island Reds combine resilience, productivity, and ease of care, making them an excellent choice for beginner chicken owners looking to embark on their poultry-keeping journey with confidence.
Barred Rock/Plymouth Rocks
With their friendly disposition and excellent egg production, Plymouth Rock chickens are another top pick for beginners. They are known for their hardiness and resilience, making them well-suited to various climates and environmental conditions.
These dual-purpose birds are equally adept at laying eggs and providing meat, making them a versatile addition to any backyard flock. It’s also worth noting that they are one of the most popular and widely available chicken breeds, making them easy to find at hatcheries, feed stores, or from local breeders.
Easter Eggers
If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your egg basket, Easter Eggers are the way to go. These delightful chickens are good layers and will lay eggs in shades of blue, green, and even pink, adding a touch of whimsy to your daily egg collection.
These birds inherit the hardiness and resilience of their parent breeds, making them well-suited to various climates and environmental conditions. I currently have one Easter Egger who is one of the sweetest in my flock, and I’m looking to add more of this easygoing breed!
Buff Orpington
Renowned for their gentle nature and fluffy plumage, Buff Orpingtons are a favorite among families with young children. These cold-hardy birds are excellent layers of large brown eggs and make wonderful pets.
Overall, Buff Orpingtons are an excellent choice for beginner chicken owners due to their gentle temperament, cold hardiness, dual-purpose nature, broodiness, low maintenance requirements, and availability.
Jersey Giants
If you’re seeking large chickens that can withstand the harsh winter months, Jersey Giants are an excellent choice. These gentle giants are known for their impressive size and laid-back demeanor. While not the most prolific layers, Jersey Giants still produce a respectable number of brown eggs, typically around 150-200 eggs per year per hen.
As one of the largest chicken breeds, Jersey Giants can reach impressive sizes, with mature roosters weighing around 13-15 pounds and hens around 10-12 pounds. Their size makes them visually striking and adds a sense of grandeur to the backyard flock.
New Hampshire Reds
Similar to Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire Reds are prized for their robustness and high egg production. They are an excellent choice for beginner chicken owners due to their hardiness, excellent egg production, dual-purpose nature, gentle temperament, low maintenance requirements, and availability.
These hardy birds are also well-suited to various climates and are excellent mothers. So if you’re looking to hatch your own chicks, this would make a great addition to your flock!
Cream Legbars
This is a breed that I want to add to my own flock this spring! If you are interested in rare breeds and colorful eggs, Cream Legbars are an exciting option. These friendly birds lay eggs in shades of blue and green, adding a vibrant twist to your egg collection. Originating from the United Kingdom, Cream Legbars are well-adapted to cold climates and can withstand chilly temperatures with ease.
Another unique quality of this breed is that they are an auto-sexing breed, meaning male and female chicks can be easily distinguished by their appearance at hatch. This characteristic is advantageous for beginner chicken keepers who may be unfamiliar with sexing chicks or who want to avoid the hassle of dealing with unwanted roosters.
Olive Eggers
An Olive Egger chicken is a hybrid breed known for laying eggs with olive-colored shells, which is a unique and sought-after trait in the poultry world. These hybrid chickens are a cross between breeds known for their egg-laying abilities, making them excellent layers.
Olive Eggers, like most mixed-breed chickens, are generally low-maintenance birds. They require basic care in terms of food, water, shelter, and protection from predators. Their easygoing nature and minimal special requirements can make them well-suited for beginners who are still getting accustomed to the responsibilities of chicken keeping.
Isla Brown
Isla Browns, also known as ISA Browns, are hybrid chickens specifically bred for their excellent egg-laying abilities and friendly temperament. These friendly and docile birds are reliable layers, consistently producing eggs throughout the year with minimal interruption. Their consistent performance makes them predictable and easy to manage, especially for novice chicken keepers who may be less experienced in poultry husbandry.
Isla Browns are relatively low-maintenance and healthy chickens that require minimal special care or attention. They are adaptable to a variety of environmental conditions and management practices, making them suitable for beginners
White Leghorn
If you’re looking for egg-laying machines, White Leghorns are the breed for you. These prolific layers produce large quantities of white eggs, making them a popular choice among commercial egg producers.
These low-maintenance birds can thrive in a variety of climates and environmental conditions and are easy to handle. While they can be flighty due to their active nature, they generally do not exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans or other flock members.
Australorps
Originating from Australia, Australorps are known for their impressive egg-laying abilities and calm demeanor. These hardy birds are well-suited to a variety of climates, making them a versatile choice for backyard chicken keepers.
Overall, Australorps are an excellent choice for beginner chicken keepers due to their prolific egg production, hardy nature, gentle temperament, dual-purpose capabilities, ease of care, and availability.
Sussex
With their beautiful, speckled plumage and friendly disposition, Sussex chickens are a charming addition to any backyard flock. These dual-purpose birds excel at both egg production and meat quality.
Sussex chickens are adaptable birds that can thrive in a variety of environments and are known for their robust health and disease resistance, making them relatively low-maintenance birds that require minimal special care or attention.
Wyandottes
With their distinctive rose combs and fluffy feathers, Wyandottes are a favorite among backyard chicken enthusiasts. These cold-hardy birds are excellent layers and make wonderful pets.
While not the most prolific layers, Wyandottes still lay a respectable number of eggs, typically around 200-250 brown eggs per year. They do tend to go broody, so keep this in mind if you’re not looking to hatch your own chicks.
Brahmas
Known as the “gentle giants” of the chicken world, Brahmas are prized for their large size and friendly nature. These dual-purpose birds are well-suited to colder climates and are excellent mothers.
Brahmas are striking birds with distinctive features, including feathered feet, a pea comb, and a majestic appearance. Their large size, feathered shanks, and intricate plumage make them visually appealing additions to backyard flocks.
Silkies
With their fluffy feathers and gentle demeanor, Silkies are beloved for their unique appearance and friendly personality. While they may not be the most prolific layers, Silkies make excellent broody hens and great pets for families. Their eggs are typically smaller in size and may have slightly tinted shells, but they still contribute to the overall egg production of a backyard flock. My silkies will raise any type of chick that I give them. It is so magical to watch them raise baby chicks.
Despite their fluffy appearance, Silkies are surprisingly cold-hardy and can tolerate colder temperatures well. Their dense feathering provides insulation against the cold, allowing them to thrive in various climates with proper shelter and care.
Bottom Line
When selecting the best backyard chicken breeds for beginners, it’s essential to consider factors such as egg production, temperament, and suitability to your climate. By choosing breeds that align with your preferences and lifestyle, you can ensure a rewarding chicken-keeping experience for years to come. Whether you’re seeking prolific layers, friendly pets, or colorful eggs, there’s a perfect breed out there waiting to join your backyard flock.
What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!
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Essential Chicken Supplies
Top Quiet Chicken Breeds
Cold Hardy Chicken Breeds
Top Heat-Tolerant Chicken Breeds
Best Breeds for Free-Ranging and Foraging
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