Top 5 Backyard Chicken Breeds

[Bullitt]

We can make our own list.

Is this the right order with #1 being most popular? And remember, some of these breeds have several different subcategories, such as Barred Plymouth Rock and White Plymouth Rock.

What are the other most popular breeds?



1. Plymouth Rock

2. Rhode Island

3. Australorp

4. Leghorn

5. Orpington

6. "Easter Egger"

 

[Illia]

Rhode Island needs a Red to the name

Whites are a whole other thing, and in no way popular or common.

Otherwise looks fine to me but I'd put Leghorn either at the bottom or second to bottom. Backyard owners often are addicted to brown eggs and associate all Leghorns with being white and skittish.

 

[Bullitt]

I know Rhode Island Reds and Rhode Island Whites are different. Aren't Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Plymouth Rocks very different also? I was trying to leave it very general to just cover the general breed name.

And speaking of Leghorn, there are many varieties. I like the Brown Leghorn varieties. I think many people with backyard flocks have varieties of Leghorns.

Why is there a preference for brown eggs? I thought white eggs were most popular in the stores. To me, white or brown eggs don't make much difference.

 

[Illia]

Well, White Plymouth Rocks are as different from Barreds as Columbians are from Partridges

They're just a color, the type and rest should be the same.

RIR vs RIW is an actual breed difference, though in reality only the comb type and color should differ. It is best advised though that they not be classified as the same, since hatcheries sell mutts under false claim as a RIW just as they do with Ameraucanas, so, chunking the two as the same but with different colors can increase the confusion.


I believe the preference in brown is that most people still follow the old fad of "brown is healthier" whether it be eggs, bread, rice, whatever. And especially non-chicken owners think that brown usually = farm fresh.

As for chicken owners, I think remnants of that belief stick, plus most people associate white egg layers with skittish or skinny chickens, and with blue and green and the rest, most people either A) don't know about them B) don't care to spend the time or money to get them, fearing of less productivity or C) just don't like the color.


Personally brown is always that egg color in which if a chicken lays it, to me, that chicken oughtta be pretty darn special or neat looking to produce such a boring/common color of egg.

 

[Bullitt]

Okay, we know you are "crazy for colors."

I hope people don't actually believe that just because an egg is brown that it is healthier or "farm fresh."

What about Orpington? Is it alright to just list Orpington? I know they come in different color varieties.

Okay, I corrected the list for Rhode Island Red. I left Leghorn at #4 for now.


1. Plymouth Rock

2. Rhode Island Red

3. Australorp

4. Leghorn

5. Orpington

6. "Easter Egger"

 

[Illia]

Doesn't matter if you include colors or not really, and it's your list, I'm just helping out with my opinion. Truthfully when it comes to backyard chickens we all know hatchery stock is what is implied, so, that makes it about one color per breed in most cases, like Buff Orpington, but if it is about the breed it helps to just say the breed. After all, the only one on the list who only comes in one color is the Rhode Island Red.

 

[Bullitt]

Aren't all Australorps black?

What breeds need to be on the list to make a top 10 list?

I am guessing New Hampshire Red should be added to the list.

 

[Illia]

Pretty sure there are Blues out there. Don't quote me on it though.


In a top ten list I'd add New Hampshires (no red in the name) and Wyandottes. I'd also add Welsummers and if it isn't strictly LF I'd certainly put Cochins and Old English Game Bantams in there too, then Silkies somewhere down lower. Not everyone has them but loads do.

 

[Bullitt]

What is LF?

In case you didn't notice, that is more than 10.

I guess we can call it the backyard dozen.

1. Plymouth Rock

2. Rhode Island Red

3. Australorp

4. Leghorn

5. Orpington

6. New Hampshire

7. "Easter Egger"

8. Wyandotte

9. Welsummer

10. Cochin

11. Old English Game Bantam

12. Silkies

 

[rcoletti116]

Interesting side note. I have some girls who were "oops" chicks, a mix of Australorp and Buff Orpington. The Australorp Roo got into the Buff run one day. They are beautiful and killer layers. Seriously, their eggs are a good size, a slate colored shell, and they lay 6/7 a week. I just thought it was worth mentioning since their heritage comprises two different breeds on this top ten list.

Everyone I know who raises and breeds RIRs tells me they are not as great layers as everyone believes. Maybe that's more opinion that fact, but that has kept us away from getting some.