107 Best Chicken Breeds for a Beginner’s Backyard Coop
People are often amazed at how many options there are when picking or expanding their first flock. What are the best egg layers? What are the best breeds for meat? Which chicken breed makes the best pet? So many questions that we cannot answer all in one single post. Instead, we will give you some quick facts and let you make your own decision. We have ranked the following 107 breeds based on a variety of factors. We have considered egg production, meat quality, temperament, flightiness, and climate suitability. This is a long list to get you started, but if you want to skip ahead feel free to click here:
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Top 25 Chicken Breeds for Backyard Chickens
If you want the full list, here we go…
107. APPENZELLER
Does well in a free-range environment
Good fliers, climbers, and foragers
Classified as "Threatened" by The Livestock Conservancy
106. SUMATRA
Fair producer, white eggs, flighty, jumpy, free range
Known for lustrous blue & black plumage
Classified as "Watch" by The Livestock Conservancy
105. EGYPTIAN FAYOUMI
Ornamental; fair producers of cream-colored eggs
Does well in a free-range environment
Flighty, hardy, well suited for hot climates
104. SPANGLED HAMBURG
Moderate producer, medium white eggs; like free range
Golden & silver, fliers, are not suited for confinement
Classified as "Watch" by The Livestock Conservancy
103. OLD ENGLISH GAME
Fair producer, small tinted eggs, foragers
Energetic, noisy, very active birds, assorted colors
Small, free-range bird; suitable for youth or hobbyists
102. GOLDEN LACED POLISH
Ornamental, moderate producer of med-large white eggs
Active and mild disposition does well confined
They perform best on well-drained soil
101. RED RANGER
Primarily raised as broilers
Producer of large brown eggs
Excellent forager, best kept free range
100. WHITE FACED BLACK SPANISH
Also known as the "clown-faced" chicken
A moderate layer of large white eggs
Active forager, heat tolerant, hardy, and rustic breed
99. INDIAN RED JUNGLEFOWL
Egg production bird; excellent for free range
Moderate producer of cream-colored eggs
Great for avoiding predators
98. SICILIAN BUTTERCUP
Moderate producer, medium white eggs, good free range
Active, heat tolerant, large buttercup comb
Classified as "Watch" by The Livestock Conservancy
97. PRAIRIE BLUEBELL EGGER
High producer of blue eggs with plumage variations
Lightweight doesn't eat as much as larger breeds
Active, easy-going, foraging bird and great at flying
96. PENEDESENCA
Moderate producer of dark brown eggs; active, flighty
Heat-hardy, free-range, can survive in the wild
Colors: Crele, Partridge, Wheaten, Black
95. MYSTIC ONYX
Active, energetic, dual-purpose birds
Typically black, colors may vary from orange to red
Above average producers, light brown medium size eggs
94. LANGSHAN
Heat & cold hardy dual-purpose bird
Moderate producer of large brown eggs
93. LAKENVELDER
Moderate producer of medium white eggs
Golden & silver both do well with free range
Flyer, good forager, heat tolerant
92. CUBALAYA
Active, noisy dual, purpose bird that forages well
Does well in free range; colors: black, red & white
Classified as "Threatened" by The Livestock Conservancy
91. CAMPINE
High producer of white eggs
Gold & silver colors thrive in a free-range environment
Active, energetic, flighty, vigorous forager
90. CALIFORNIA WHITE
Very high producer of large white eggs
Heat tolerant, very productive, good in confinement
Cross between White Leghorn and California Grey
.89 CALIFORNIA TAN
Primarily raised for eggs
High producer of large to x-large cream/tinted eggs
Very active, docile, friendly birds, weighing 3-4 lbs.
88. BUCKEYE
Hardy, stocky dual, purpose bird with pea comb
Moderate egg producer that does well in a free-range environment
Beautiful mahogany bay color
87. BLUE ANDALUSIAN
Heat-tolerant and active dual-purpose bird
Moderate producer of medium to large white eggs
Excellent in a free-range environment
86. ANCONA CHICKENS
Moderate producer of medium to large white eggs
Excellent in free-range environment
Cold weather hardy
85. RUSSIAN ORLOFF
Moderate producer of small light brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
84. JERSEY GIANT
Moderate producer of large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range; excellent foragers
Docile, and friendly; birds can be black, white, or blue
83. CREVECOEUR
Dual-purpose bird with a high meat-to-offal ratio
Moderate producer of white eggs; does well confined
Classified as "Critical" by The Livestock Conservancy
82. YOKOHAMA
Moderate producer, cream-colored eggs, good mothers
Do well confined/free range, broody, known for coloring
Classified as Critical with The Livestock Conservancy
81. SALMON FAVORELLE
High producers of medium light brown eggs
Known for its unique, beautiful colors
Excellent sitters & mothers; docile & good-tempered
80. PHOENIX
Docile, low producers, long-tailed & heat tolerant
Produce small-medium white to light-brown eggs
Excellent for free range; are golden, silver or white
79. TURKENS
Dual-purpose bird, a high producer of large brown eggs
Heat & cold hardy does well in confined or free range
Also called Naked Neck
78. SULTANS
Moderate producer of medium white eggs
Heat tolerant and cold hardy, docile, feathered feet
Classified as "Critical" by The Livestock Conservancy
77. STARLIGHT GREEN EGGER
High producer of medium green eggs
Excellent forager in free-range situations
Lightweight, active, highly variable plumage color
76. SMOKEY PEARL
Egg layer
Unique and beautifully colored birds
High producer of large brown eggs
75. SIENA STAR
Moderate producer of medium cream-colored eggs
Robust & quiet, suitable for various flock sizes
Gold & Silver color; Brown Leghorn & Sussex hybrid
74. SAPPHIRE SPLASH
Cold & hot hardy, high producers of large brown eggs
Docile, easy to care for; do well confined or forage
73. SAPPHIRE OLIVE EGGER
Hardy, moderate producers of large olive eggs
Active, docile; adapt to climates, like warmer ones
Unique, beautiful colors; bears confinement well
72. SAPPHIRE GEM
Ornamental bird with egg production
Blue/Lavender birds do well in hot climates
Czech breed that is an excellent forager
Cross between the Blue Plymouth Rock & Barred Plymouth Rock
71. RHODE ISLAND WHITE
Active, heat & cold hardy, dual purpose, hybrid bird
High producer of large to x-large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
70. RED SEX LINK
Docile, high producer of brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
69. PRODUCTION RED
Dual-purpose bird, bred for egg production
High producer of large to x-large brown eggs
Good in confinement, a commercial hybrid of the R.I Red
68. PRODUCTION BLUE
Good producer of brown eggs, mature weight 4-5 lbs
Cross between a Rhode Island Red & Blue Australorp
Beautiful blue/gray coloring
67. PLYMOUTH BLUE ROCKS
Moderate producer of brown eggs
Docile does well confined, or free range
Delicate winter layers and spring setters
66. OLIVE EGGER
High producer of large green eggs
Friendly. Does well confined or free range
65. MYSTIC MARANS
Efficient layer, dark brown eggs; from the Czech Republic
The majority have feathered legs and feet; some will not
Black plumage, some deep brown feathering underneath
64. MOTTLED HOUDANS
Dual-purpose bird, a high producer of tiny white eggs
Does well in confinement
The Livestock Conservancy "Threatened" classification
63. MIXED COCHINS
High producer of large white eggs
Active, heat tolerant, foraging free-range birds
Colors: Black, White, Blue (Gray), or Buff
62. MIDNIGHT MAJESTY MARAN
Primarily raised for eggs; it excellent for free range
High producer of large dark brown eggs
Active, heat tolerant, good foragers
61. MARAN SEX LINK
Calm and friendly; cold and heat hardy
250 Large Dark Brown Eggs/Year
7-8 lbs.6
60. LIGHT BRAHMA
Dual purpose, good egg-laying breed, and meat bird
Producer of medium brown eggs; tolerates confinement
Calm, friendly, docile, quiet, winter hardy
59. JAVA
Hardy, docile dual-purpose birds make great foragers
Moderate producer of brown eggs
Mottled, Black, and White birds do well in free range
58. GOLDEN COMET
Dual purpose bird; does well confined, or free range
Very high producer of large to x-large brown eggs
Commercial quality bird; fast body & egg development
57. FRENCH WHEATEN MARAN
Egg production bird; does well in free range
High producer of large dark brown eggs
Friendly, sociable, active breeds.
56. FRENCH CUCKOO MARAN
Versatile egg production birds; cold weather hardy
Moderate producer of large dark brown eggs
Does well confined or free range in flocks
55. FRENCH COPPER MARAN
Versatile egg production birds; cold weather hardy
Moderate producer of large dark brown eggs
Does well confined or free range in flocks
54. EASTER EGGER
Dual purpose bird; does well confined, or free range
Moderate producer of large green to blue eggs
Great for backyard flocks
53. DOMINIQUE
Very high producer of medium to large brown eggs
Does well in free-range environments
Calm, heat and cold hardy, good forager
52. DIXIE RAINBOW
High producer of large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
Cross of several breeds, no two birds look alike
51. DELAWARE
Calm dual-purpose bird, both heat and cold hardy
Moderate producer of large to x-large brown eggs
50. DARK BRAHMA
Large, calm, and cold hardy dual-purpose bird
Moderate producer of large brown-colored eggs
Does well confined or free range
49. CORNISH ROCKS
4-way Commercial Cornish hybrid
Fast feathering and growth rate
The growth rate requires 24% starter and 20% grower feed
48. CUCKOO MARAN
Moderate producer of large dark reddish brown eggs
Tolerates being confined, but does better free range
Irregular black and white barred in color
47. CORONATION SUSSEX
Dual purpose bird
High producer of large brown eggs
Alert, docile and adaptable bird weighing 7-9 lbs.
46. BARRED COCHIN
Moderate producer of large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
Docile, cold-hardy, excellent mothers
45. COPPER MARANS
Raised for meat and eggs
Moderate producer of light to very dark brown eggs
Does well free ranging; docile and heat tolerant
44. BLACK SEX LINK
Very high producer of large to x-large brown eggs
Dual purpose bird; does well in confined or free range
Chicks can be sexed as soon as hatched
43. COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTE
Dual purpose bird, calm, heat and cold hardy
High producer of medium to large cream to brown eggs
Peaceful personality and a good forager
42. COLUMBIAN ROCK CROSS
Calm, heat, and cold-hardy dual-purpose bird
High producer of medium to large cream to brown eggs
Cross of RI Red female & Columbian Plymouth Rock male
41. JAPANESE BANTAM
Fair producer of tiny cream-colored eggs
Small, does well confined or free range
Come in a variety of colors
40. CINNAMON QUEEN
High producer of brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
Docile; lays eggs younger compared to other breeds
39 CHANTECLER MIX
Cold hardy dual, purpose bird, good production
Colors: Red & Black, Golden Buff, Partridge & White
Created by crossing five popular bird breeds
38. CALIFORNIA GREY
High producer of white eggs
Dual purpose bird; does well confined, or free range
Docile, hardy, excellent winter layers in cold climates
37. CALICO PRINCESS
Heat & cold hardy ornamental bird with egg production
Does well confined or free range
Topaz color, mix breed of Rhode Island Red & Sussex
36. BUFF BRAHMA
Large, calm, and cold hardy dual-purpose bird
Moderate producer of large brown-colored eggs
Does well confined or free range
35. BLACK ASIAN
Moderate producer of medium to large brown eggs
Extremely hardy
Does well confined or free range
34. AMBERLINK
Docile birds that forage well
High producer of large brown eggs
Excellent in a free-range environment
33. WHITE CRESTED POLISH
"•Peaceful personalities & ornamental breed
Does well in confinement
A moderate layer of white eggs
32. NEW HAMPSHIRE RED
Heat & cold hardy dual-purpose bird
Moderate producer of large to x-large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
31. WELSUMMER
Moderate producer of large, dark brown speckled eggs
Calm, heat tolerant & cold hardy, excellent foragers
Does well confined or free range
30. GOLDEN SEX LINK
Dual purpose bird; does well in confined or free range
Very high producer of large to x-large brown eggs
Cross between R.I. White female & the R.I. Red male
29. FREEDOM RANGERS
Meat bird
Does well confined or free range
Reaches a market weight of 4 to 5 pounds in 12 weeks
28. CREAM LEGBAR
High producer of highly sought-after large blue eggs
Does well free-range
Excellent foragers and have a curious personality
27. BLACK MARANS
Dual-purpose bird with darkest brown eggs
Docile, friendly foragers in assorted colors
Does well confined or free range
26. BIELEFELDER
Auto-sexing breed as determined by down coloration
Moderate producer of large brown eggs
Calm, curious, and active dual-purpose bird
25. BARRED ROCK
Dual purpose, heat, and cold hardy bird
High producer of large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
24. PLYMOUTH WHITE
Dual-purpose birds, cold and heat tolerant
Hardy and easygoing personalities
Moderate layers of brown eggs
23. SEABRIGHT BANTAM
Active, friendly, moderate producer, small white eggs
Confinement or free range; color: golden or silver
Livestock Conservancy Classification of "Threatened"
22. PLYMOUTH ROCK
Docile, dual purpose; Barred or Partridge color
Moderate producer, brown eggs; confined or free range
Fine winter layers and spring setters
21. MINORCA
High producer of large white eggs
Black, white, or buff birds; excellent for free range
Active, heat tolerant, good foragers
20. SILVER LACED WYANDOTTE
Dual purpose, moderate producer of large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
Heat and cold hardy, excellent mothers
19. GOLDEN LACED WYANDOTTE
Dual purpose bird; does well confined, or free range
Moderate producer of large brown eggs
Heat and cold hardy, excellent mothers
18. BLUE LACED RED WYANDOTTE
Dual purpose, excellent mothers, blue-lined red feathers
Moderate producer of medium brown eggs
Good in confinement or free range
17. BLUE LACED GOLDEN WYANDOTTE
Dual-purpose bird: docile, calm, and quiet
Great egg layer of medium-sized cream-colored eggs
Exceptionally beautiful, winter hardy bird
16. WYANDOTTE
Dual purpose with several color variations
Moderate producer, large brown eggs, good mothers
Heat & cold hardy, do well confined or free range
15. AMERAUCANA
14. SPECKLED SUSSEX
Calm, high producer, medium cream-light brown eggs
Heat & cold hardy, dual purpose, confined/free range
The Livestock Conservancy "Recovering" classification
13. ISABELLA LEGHORN
Egg layer
Recognized as a top egg producer of large white eggs • Active & graceful breed that thrives in free-range
12. LEGHORN
High producer of large white eggs
Heat tolerant and does well confined, or free range
Colors: Barred, Brown, Buff, Red, Silver, White
11. COCHINS
Moderate producer of large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
Docile, cold, hardy, excellent mothers
10. POLISH
Variety of different cresting and lacing colors
High late-season producer, medium to large white eggs
Classified as "Watch" by The Livestock Conservancy
9. RHODE ISLAND RED
Active, heat & cold hardy, dual purpose, hybrid bird
High producer of large to x-large brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
8. BELGIAN BEARDED D'UCCLE
Fair producer of extra small cream eggs
Do well confined/free range; excluding extreme heat
Friendly, calm, small, good for youth or hobbyists
7. BANTAM FRIZZLE
Miniatures of popular breed varieties and colors
Excellent in a free-range environment
Great for insect control
6. BLACK AUSTRALORP
Hardy dual-purpose bird
Does well confined or free range
Color options include black & blue
5. ENGLISH ORPINGTON
Good producers of brown eggs; does well free range
Easy going, hardy, well suited for cold climates
Colors: silver laced, blue, brown, jubilee & mottled
4. ORPINGTON
Docile birds in buff, lavender, black, blue, or white
Dual-purpose bird, a high producer of large brown eggs
Do well confined & free range; heat & cold hardy
3. BARNEVELDER
Dual purpose, friendly and active bird
Moderate producer of dark brown eggs
Does well confined or free range
2. SILKIE
Moderate producer of medium white to tinted eggs
Forager, heat & cold tolerant, does well free range
Colors: black, blue, buff, red, white, etc.
1. ISA BROWN
Dual-purpose does well confined, or free range
Commercial quality producer of large to XL brown eggs
Consistent and dependable eggshell strength