Top 5 Backyard Chicken Breeds

[Bullitt]

I can tell you what is in every feed/farm store shipment from the hatcheries around my area, both from Privett and Ideal:


Barred Plymouth Rocks, sometimes white Rocks
Wyandottes, usually the Silver Laced, sometimes the Golden Laced
Buff Orpingtons
Rhode Island Reds and/or Production Reds-Ideal sells them both.
Easter Eggers, though they invariably have Ameraucana/Americana/Araucana on the label, none of which those chicks in the brooder are.

Sexlinks are always offered, though they are a hybrid, not a breed, per se, and I have never bought one and don't intend to do so.

I see you are a purist. I do not really care for the hybrids either, because if they are bred there will be a variety of results.

"Easter Egger" is not a breed either. Maybe I should just add Sex-Link to the list and call it a baker's dozen.

 

[Bullitt]

The Baker's Dozen of Backyard Flocks

1. Plymouth Rock

2. Rhode Island Red

3. "Easter Egger"

4. Australorp

5. Leghorn

6. Orpington

7. Sex-Link (There are several hybrids, such as Red Sex-Link and Black Sex-Link)

8. New Hampshire

9. Wyandotte

10. Welsummer

11. Cochin

12. Old English Game Bantam

13. Silkies



Feel free to add more to the list. I think lists are always fun.

 

[maralpz2006]

my list

1-turken or nn

2-frizzle i know is not a breed

3-rock

4-leghorn

5-java

i really dont like chickens will black skin,i like single comb,i like large fowls and i like clean legs

 

[Bullitt]

It's good to know what you like.

Do you not like dark skin because you use them for meat birds? I know chickens with both black or white skin are not as popular as chickens with yellow skin for meat birds.

 

[aleecex2]

Ha ha!. I have several partridge and barred rocks. (LOVE them!!!). I also have ameracaunas.

 

[speckledhen]

Most folks in our area what them for the "egg a day". Silkies don't make the cut. They don't make my cut, either, since they pretty much gross me out in every way possible, LOL. They are also bantams. Folks who want chickens for eggs don't fill up their coop with bantams normally.


My vote for the best all-round backyard/barnyard flock breed is the Plymouth Rock. In every way, they fit the bill. They are friendly (if you don't get some hinky weird nasty hatchery strain), personable, intelligent, fabulous layers, including through winter, great foragers and don't go broody every 90 days. If you get a good breeder quality Barred Rock, they are more apt to brood on occasion than a hatchery Rock. They do not get bullied in the flock as a rule, not pushovers at all. Some say those show/heritage types don't lay as well, but mine out of Marvin Stukel heritage lines lay very well, just like my hatchery and descended-from-hatchery Rock hens. I have both barreds and blue/black/splash Rocks.

Everybody has their favorite. I just know what every single feed and farm store in my three state area gets in from the hatcheries and they are the ones I listed earlier on this thread.

 

[maralpz2006]

bullitt i i dont eat them ,but actually i dont eat my chickens ,my chickens die i have one is 8 years old and two more they are 7 years but i really dont kill them

 

[Bullitt]

Most folks in our area what them for the "egg a day". Silkies don't make the cut. They don't make my cut, either, since they pretty much gross me out in every way possible, LOL. They are also bantams. Folks who want chickens for eggs don't fill up their coop with bantams normally.


My vote for the best all-round backyard/barnyard flock breed is the Plymouth Rock. In every way, they fit the bill. They are friendly (if you don't get some hinky weird nasty hatchery strain), personable, intelligent, fabulous layers, including through winter, great foragers and don't go broody every 90 days. If you get a good breeder quality Barred Rock, they are more apt to brood on occasion than a hatchery Rock. They do not get bullied in the flock as a rule, not pushovers at all. Some say those show/heritage types don't lay as well, but mine out of Marvin Stukel heritage lines lay very well, just like my hatchery and descended-from-hatchery Rock hens. I have both barreds and blue/black/splash Rocks.

Everybody has their favorite. I just know what every single feed and farm store in my three state area gets in from the hatcheries and they are the ones I listed earlier on this thread.

I think the Barred Plymouth Rock is probably the most popular breed for the small flock. It has an edge over the Rhode Island Red because Barred Plymouth Rocks are generally more friendly than Rhode Island Reds. But Rhode Island Reds are better layers.

Which breed is best for someone depends on what they want chickens for. Most people with backyard flocks want friendly chickens that are good layers. The Barred Plymouth Rock usually meets those requirements.

 

[Bullitt]

bullitt i i dont eat them ,but actually i dont eat my chickens ,my chickens die i have one is 8 years old and two more they are 7 years but i really dont kill them

I see. You just have your preferences in regards to looks.

You have some old chickens. It sounds like they are mostly pets for you.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Yes, I should point this out too.

Whenever I show my Jersey Giants, it's usually only mine. (At open shows too) The others, are just mutts, or have pink feet. There's usually at least 6 Orpingtons.