question on the difference in chicken breeds

[chickie fam]

This sounds like a dumb question but I was wondering if someone is able to tell me the difference between some of the breeds.
Thanks

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Some are large, some are small.
Some are short, some are tall.

Some are white, some are red.
Some have turbans on their head.

Some lay good, some lay bad.
Some bred for meat..... oh, that's sad.

I feel like Dr. Seus!

 

[Illia]

Yeah, it would help if you'd clarify which breed.

There are over 150 breeds of chickens, and each with their own "standards" on how they look. There are small ones, tall ones, skinny ones, well muscled ones, production layers, meat birds, dual purpose breeds, ornamental breeds, and so on. . . There are many differences in leg color, comb type, plumage varieties, head shape/ornaments, clean vs feathered legs, tail size, shape, and if there's a tail at all, I could go on.

 

[chickie fam]

I really don't even know any breeds. I'm looking for chickens to gather eggs from but my husband wants a small selection for meat. What kind of breeds would be good egg layers in hot summers? I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not really into the way they look, more or less I'd like them to be friendly and produce good eggs.

 

[chickie fam]

How about, whats the difference between bantams and silkies?

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Go to one or two of the popular hatchery sites, & see a WHOLE WORLD of different chickens. There is a WIDE variety. They usually tell a little about each breed. There are also MANY different breeds of Bantams.

 

[Highlander]

Click on the "breeds" link right at the top of the page here. It will give you some good information on a lot of the different breeds.

 

[Illia]

Silkies ARE Bantams.

Bantam is the name for any small or miniature sized chicken. . . Silkies naturally fit right in that category.

On the "standard" or "large fowl" size are common breeds like Rhode Island Reds, Orpingtons, Rocks, etc. Which can be in bantam/mini form, too.

Silkies are not available in standard size though, as they started out "bantams" and have not been bred to a larger size yet.

 

[chickie fam]

Thank you everyone, you've been a lot of help in pointing me in the right direction!!

 

[colby318]

Did you want meat and eggs from the same breed of bird? Or two different types. There are many birds that are considered "dual purpose". The lay decently and have good meat also. Google- Henderson's poultry chart. It's a fabulous side by side comparison of breeds!!!

Colby in Kentucky
I'm going to subscribe to this post. I'd love to see what you decide on.