Most Popular Small-Flock Chickens -- Resource For Selecting Your Chickens

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Bullitt

Bullitt

Crowing
8 Years
Jan 16, 2012
2,380
465
251
Texas
Here are the most popular small-flock "breeds" (some aren't actually breeds) as determined by my unscientific survey. I can't guarantee that the order of popularity is correct, but I can guarantee that the 10 most popular small-flock chicken breeds in North America are on this list.


1. Plymouth Rock

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Rock_(chicken)

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Plymouth-Rock-B85.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/plymouth-rock



2. Rhode Island Red

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island_Red

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Rhode-Island-B97.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/rhode-island



3. "Easter Egger"

http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Day-Old-Baby-Chicks/Easter-Egger-p246.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Egger

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/easter-eggers



4. Australorp

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Australorp-B14.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australorp

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/australorp



5. Leghorn

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Leghorn-White-B65.aspx

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Leghorn-Non-White-B66.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leghorn_(chicken)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/leghorn



6. Orpington

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orpington_(chicken)

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Orpington-B80.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/orpington



7. New Hampshire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_(chicken)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/new-hampshire-red

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/New-Hampshire-Red-B76.aspx



8. Red Sex-Link (Red Star, Golden Comet)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_link

http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Day-Old-Baby-Chicks/Red-Star-p224.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/star



9. Black Sex-Link (Black Star)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_link

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/star



10. Wyandotte

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyandotte_(chicken)

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Wyandotte-B6.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/wyandottes-chicken-breed-page



11. Welsummer

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Welsummer-B108.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsummer

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/welsummer



12. Cochin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochin_(chicken)

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Cochin-B30.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/cochin



13. Old English Game

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English_Game

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Games/GameBantams/BRKOEGBantams.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/old-english-game



14. Silkies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkie

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Silkie-Bantam-B100.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/silkie


15. Jersey Giant

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Giant

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Jersey-Giant-B57.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/jersey-giant



16. Polish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_(chicken)

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Polish-B91.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/polish
 
Last edited:
Feel free to add your favorites to the list. Make sure to include a link to information about the breed or type.
 
Why is Plymuth Rock better then Australorp?? Iam thinking to get chicks and add to my RIR. But stuck betvin PR and Australorp. Australorp more egg 5 week but PR look better and 4 egg week. Need little help from experts
 
both are really good birds and have similar characteristics, it really comes down to personal preference. I know there are a million different reasons for one breed over another, But I always recommend to people get something you enjoy looking at. for Example if you get the Australporps you are looking at a black bird with a sheen and white bottomed feet, if you go Plymouth rock it could be white, barred, buff, silver penciled, Partridge,columbian, or blue

both are going to be great birds with very little in performance on the backyard flock as farm egg production
 
Serge said:
Why is Plymuth Rock better then Australorp?? Iam thinking to get chicks and add to my RIR. But stuck betvin PR and Australorp. Australorp more egg 5 week but PR look better and 4 egg week. Need little help from experts
Click to expand...

This list is the most popular types of chickens for a small flock. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, because it depends on what you want.

Plymouth Rock and Australorp are both good breeds if you are looking for eggs. Both breeds are generally pretty friendly and good egg-layers. Although, the Australorp is a little better at laying eggs.

You might think about getting a few of each breed. You would probably be happy with either breed, but variety is good.
 
spangledcornish said:
both are really good birds and have similar characteristics, it really comes down to personal preference. I know there are a million different reasons for one breed over another, But I always recommend to people get something you enjoy looking at.
Click to expand...

This may be why many people have a variety of breeds in their flocks. People like looking at all the different shapes and colors of chickens, as well as different sizes and colors of eggs.
 
big_smile.png
Hello! I have Old English Bantams that I raise for chicks. I have kept all of them pure bred. I have Barred, Self Blue and BB Reds. I didn't know, until I read the link from the beginning of this thread, that Old English are endangered. I will be absolutely sure to keep my chicks pure bred! I have enjoyed all my Bantams but the BB Red which was my first pair are my heart! The roo,Eugene, likes to sit on my shoulder and look around! They are very docile chickens. My Self Blue hen,Pearl, is a character! She starts chirping and cackling as soon as she hears the house door open. She keeps it up until I pick her up and then she just tucks her head under my chin and goes to sleep like a baby! The Barred are my most recent purchase. I think they all have personalities and I wouldn't trade any of the flock for anything!
 
I like to see a varied egg basket. and I like to look at different breeds in my yard. Unless you are breeding them, there is no reason to even have a roo. I like sussex, barred rock, chanteclers, ameraucanas or EE for their colored eggs, and maybe one marans for a dark egg. I know the marans do not lay like a production bird would, I just like to see that dark egg in my carton. I would have one production RIR or leghorn for good egg production too. And I love the welsummer for its darker sorta speckley egg that mine produces too.
 
I'm new to chickens and trying to pick my breeds. Orpington is on my list. Is the color that I choose play a factor in their personality?
Thanks
 

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