What Type of Chicken Do I Have? A Guide to Identifying Your Flock

Black Star / Red Star

Red Stars and Black Stars are hybrids that have been bred to have their color at hatching linked to the sex of the chicken (pullet or cockerel). This makes chick sexing an easier process, and as the purchaser you’re less likely to be surprised. Ever had a pullet start to crow one day? Not with these birds.

They were developed to be extremely good egg layers. Don’t be surprised if you see 300 eggs in a year. Egg color and size will vary, depending on the cross-breeding. Black Stars are a cross between a Rhode Island Red rooster and a Barred Rock hen. Red Stars are a cross between a Rhode Island Red rooster and either a White Rock, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Rhode Island White or Delaware hen.

Often referred to as the “King of All Poultry”, the Brahma chicken is appreciated for its great size, strength, and vigor. By 1901, birds were documented to have reached the incredible weights of 18 pounds. This breed, together with the Cochin, fueled what became known as “Hen Fever” – a national obsession for poultry that hit both America and England around 1850.

Brahmas are an excellent addition to a backyard flock. They are hardy chickens in winter climates, they cannot fly over low fences (because of their size), and they have calm and docile personalities. The best part, they lay the majority of their eggs October thru May. That means while the rest of your girls may slow or even quit production for the winter, your Brahmans will keep the egg cartons full of large, medium brown eggs. Keep in mind Brahmas are not ideal for hot climates. Their anatomy makes them susceptible to overheating. So, if you keep Brahmas, make sure to keep them cool in summer.

The Buckeye breed was created by Mrs. Nettie Metcalf in Ohio in the late 19th century. In fact, the Buckeye is the only American breed of chicken developed solely by a woman. She crossed Buff Cochins and Barred Plymouth Rocks to create a large, lazy fowl, and then added some Black-Breasted Red Game birds.

Buckeyes are a dual-purpose breed of chicken with a lustrous red color. They have pea combs (distinguishing them from Road Island Reds), are cold-weather hardy, and adaptive to a variety of living conditions. These active, friendly birds are well-known for their abilities to hunt and catch mice.

In 1907, a monk, Brother Wilfrid Châtelain, noticed that no breeds of chicken had yet been established in Canada. All the birds were from Europe or America. He set out to change this and create a practical chicken that would be suited to Canada’s climate, and be an excellent dual-purpose bird. By 1918, he debuted the Chantecler.

Chanteclers are large birds with white plumage that lays tight against the body. They have exceptionally small cushion combs and wattles, which attributes to them being one of the most hardy breeds. They are fairly tame, but do not thrive in confinement, so consider this breed for free ranging. They lay about 200 brown eggs annually.

The Cinnamon Queen is a modern day production breed that lays brown eggs. They are a cross between a Rhode Island Red rooster and a Rhode Island White hen. At hatching, cockerels are a different color than the pullets so you can be sure of what you are getting—no surprise roosters. They are also known as Golden Comets.

Cinnamon Queens were developed specifically for their prolific egg laying ability. Pullets will lay 250-300 eggs per year and start much sooner than heritage breeds. These girls are a perfect fit if you’re looking to start a small egg farm or just want a ton of eggs.

Delawares were developed in 1940, in Delaware, by George Ellis. The were originally known as “Indian Rivers.” The breed originated from crosses of Barred Plymouth Rock roosters and New Hampshire hens. Although originally intended as a meat bird, Delawares make an excellent dual purpose bird.

They are known to have a calm and friendly disposition, and lay jumbo brown eggs – about 4 per week in ideal conditions. Plus, let’s not forget to mention their beautiful plumage.

The Dominique is characterized by black-and-white barred plumage and a rose comb. It is considered to be the oldest American chicken breed, and is thought to derive from birds brought to America by colonists from southern England.

Dominiques are hearty, docile and friendly, making them great breeds for a family. The hens lay around 230-275, light-to-dark brown, medium-size eggs a year. Hens may be broody or not – depending on their line. Broody Dominques make very good mothers. These birds are good foragers, but can live in confinement as well.

The Empordanesa chicken is a Mediterranean egg breed that is well suited for hot climates. They are brown egg layers, laying unusually dark eggs, ranging from warm terra cotta to a very dark chocolate brown.

These are small birds weighing around five to six pounds for roosters and four pounds for hens. They also have an unusual carnation or king comb which is single in the front with multiple lobes at the rear that resemble a crown.

The Java is the 2nd oldest chicken breed developed in America, going back to 1835. Its ancestors come from the island of Java in the Far East. Javas are an excellent breed for free-ranging homesteads and are known for their egg production and table qualities. Javas come in white, black, mottled, and auburn. The Black Java is known for the brilliant beetle-green sheen of its feathers.

Java hens are broody and good mothers which lay 150-180 large tinted-to-dark brown eggs each year, and well into the winter. With an average life span of 5-8 years, these hens will continue laying long after other breeds have stopped.

The Jersey Giant chicken was developed between 1870 and 1890 in New Jersey. You can probably guess from their name that these birds are pretty big. Roosters weight in at 13 pounds, and hens can easily grow up to 10 pounds. They are the largest purebred chicken breed.

Jersey Giant hens tend to lay more eggs than other heavy breeds. Their eggs are extra-large in size with colors ranging from dark brown to light cream, and they lay about 150-200 eggs per year. When incubating eggs, this large breed sometimes takes 1-2 days longer to hatch than other chicken breeds. Jersey Giants are a very cold-hardy breed and generally lay during the winter. Note they do not fare well in the heat, so they must have options to keep them cool in warmer climates.

Marans originated in western France and were imported in the 1930s. There are 9 recognized colors: Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, Black, Birchen, Black Copper, Wheaten, Black-tailed Buff, White and Columbian. If you find Marans chicks at a feed store, they will most likely be the Black Copper or Cuckoo variety. Hens are active and enjoy free ranging, and also have friendly, outgoing personalities.

Marans are renowned for their dark chocolate brown eggs. If you’re looking for unique eggs, these are quite the conversation piece. You’ll get about 150 – 200 each year in your nesting boxes.

The Naked Neck is a breed of chicken that is naturally devoid of feathers on its neck and vent. The breed is also called the Transylvanian Naked Neck, as well as the Turken. The name “Turken” arose from the mistaken idea that the bird was a hybrid of a chicken and the domestic turkey.

They make for a good dual-purpose utility chicken. They only have about half the feathers of other chickens, so they are easier to pluck if raised for meat. They also lay a respectable number of eggs. They are very good foragers and are immune to most diseases, plus they are pretty fun to look at.

Orpington chickens were developed in the town of Orpington, England of all places. During the late 1800s, William Cook wanted to create a new breed that was dual purpose, but had white skin, which the British preferred for meat. Within 10 years, Orpingtons were a favorite in both England and America, and came in a variety of colors – black, white, buff, jubilee, and spangled.

Orpingtons lay about 200 eggs per year. If you’re thinking about adding some to your flock, we suggest the Buff Orpington. They are known for being very docile and they make great family pets.

Developed in America in the middle of the 19th century, this breed of chicken is historically the most popular in the United States. Up until WWII, no other breed was kept as extensively as the Plymouth Rock. The original birds were all of the Barred variety – with black and white stripped plumage – and other color varieties were developed later.

The popularity of this duel-purpose breed came from its qualities as an outstanding farm chicken: hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of brown eggs. This chicken is usually what comes to mind when you think of the chickens Grandma used to keep.

Rhode Island Reds are a great choice for beginner chicken-keepers, or expert small flock keepers alike. Developed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the late 1800s, these birds are a hardy, dual purpose breed. Since the 1940’s, the Rhode Island Red has been selectively bred for more efficient egg production, becoming smaller, lighter colored, and less broody as a result.

Rhode Island Reds are very low maintenance, and can tolerate less than favorable conditions. These birds are very good layers of brown eggs and can lay 200-300 eggs a year starting as early as six months of age.

Choosing the right breed of chicken can be a daunting task since there are so many great options available. Check out the different categories below to help narrow down the choices. Consider what you would like the chickens for while also taking note of the climate the chickens will be raised in. Finally, take into account how much space and time you have to devote to your new feathered flock.

Brown layer chicken breeds are prized for their prolific egg-laying abilities and hardy nature. Known for producing a variety of brown-shelled eggs, these breeds are favored by backyard enthusiasts and commercial egg producers alike. Renowned for their friendly temperament and adaptability, they are a popular choice for those seeking a reliable and productive addition to their flock.

Around the same time that Orpingtons were being developed as a breed, Australorps were as well. Australians liked the black Orpingtons that were being brought over from England, and valued them for their egg laying ability. With maximum egg production in mind, Australians continued to develop their own distrinct breed. The breed went by many names, struggling to distinguish itself from Orpingtons, and finally settled on Australorp in the 1920s.

These birds are known for their excellent egg production. You’ll easily get 250 light brown eggs per year. The record holding hen laid 364 eggs in a 365 day period, without assistance of artificial lighting.

Barnvelders are named after the Dutch town of Barnveld. They are a medium sized, dual-purpose bird. They are hardy and make good foragers. They lay a 175–200 brown eggs per year, are good winter layers, and have a calm disposition.

The original and most well-known variety of this breed is the Double-laced pattern. They have beautiful plumage, with each feather having copper, black, and metallic green coloring. They make an excellent addition to a backyard flock, and are quite the colorful conversation piece.

The Bielefelder is a modern breed, developed in the early 1970s in Bielefeld, Germany. Poultry breeder Gerd Roth used genetics from a number of breeds including the Cuckoo Malines, Amrock, Wyandotte, and New Hampshire. The Bielefelder managed to retain the best qualities of all these breeds. They probably check off all the boxes on your “perfect chicken” wish list.

This dual-purpose breed is autosexing so males and females can be identified immediately upon hatching. Females have a chipmunk strip on their backs, while males are lighter in color and have a yellow spot on their heads. They mature to have a complex feather pattern which is best described as cuckoo red partridge.

These birds are very friendly and seek human interaction. They have a large frame that holds plenty of meat. Roosters can weigh 10-12 pounds. Their size and camouflaging feather pattern makes them perfect for free-range conditions. Hens can produce upwards of 230 large eggs per year. Their eggs are a unique shade of brown with pink undertones that you won’t find anywhere else.

Raising Chickens: Everything You Need To Know!

FAQ

How can I tell what kind of chicken I have?

The physical traits used to distinguish chicken breeds are size, plumage color, comb type, skin color, number of toes, amount of feathering, egg color, and place of origin. They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose.

How can I tell my chickens apart?

Spiral Bands

The spiral band is a very popular method of identification for birds of all ages. They are essentially a colored plastic key ring that you can slip over the bird’s leg. The biggest strengths of them is that they are cheap and they are easy to apply.

What app identifies chicken breeds?

The CBI (Chicken Breed Identifier) capable of accurately identifying poultry chicken breeds with high accuracy in less than a second. To get the best results get very close shot to the birds preferrably showing features such as head and tail and legs (Side view of the bird is the best).

What are the different types of chicken breeds?

There are hundreds of chicken breeds: heritage breeds, local and indigenous breeds, breeds created by institutions, commercial breeds, synthetic breeds, rare breeds, backyard mixes, and others. And that’s just breeds, most of these breeds come in several colors and various feather patterns!

How do I choose the right chicken breed?

Use the chicken breed list below to help you choose the right chicken. This list includes all of the chicken breeds that are for sale at Cackle Hatchery. Click the name of the chicken breed for more information, to see an image of that breed and for purchasing options.

How many chicken breeds are there?

This is a difficult question to answer definitively because there are new chicken breeds being created all the time. However, according to the American Poultry Association, there are currently around 100 recognized chicken breeds in the United States.

What is the primary use of each chicken breed?

Each breed has its primary use, the quality which the breed excels in, and this should have a large impact on your choice of bird. Chickens can fulfil all of these needs, but which breed you chose is an important factor on the level of benefit in each area.

What is the most popular chicken breed in the US?

The most popular chicken breed in the US is probably the Rhode Island Red, which is known for its high egg production. Other popular egg-laying breeds include Leghorns, Ameraucanas, and Orpingtons. For meat production, common breeds include Cornish and Plymouth Rocks.

How do I know what kind of Chicken I have?

The best method to determine the kind of chicken you have is assess 6 key indicators. So if you already have your chickens settling into their new home, and you want to know what kind of breed you’ve got, or even just facts about age and gender, the above key indicators are the best ones to check. Let’s go through them individually.