The best chicken breeds for backyard flocks are those that adapt well to a wide range of climates and conditions, as well as those that have excellent egg laying abilities.
Chicken breeds that have been developed over time to thrive in specific environments make ideal choices for backyard chicken owners. These breeds have been selectively bred for the traits that best suit their environment, such as heat tolerance, cold tolerance or resistance to diseases. For example, Rhode Island Reds are an ideal choice for many northern states because they’re able to withstand cold winters with little trouble.
In addition to being able to withstand different climates, the best chicken breeds also lay large numbers of eggs on a consistent basis – which is key if you’re keeping chickens primarily for their eggs. Some chickens can lay more than 250 eggs per year!
Best Chicken Breeds For Backyard Flocks
1) Ameraucana (Araucana) – Also known as Araucanas or Easter Eggers, this breed is known for its blue/green eggs and unusual feather coloration. They are friendly hens who love attention from their owners and are quite active so they need plenty of space to roam around in! This breed does well in both hot and cold weather climates.
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The backyard chicken is a rapidly growing trend. According to the USDA, over 6 million households in the United States keep chickens as pets. Chickens are easy to care for and provide eggs (as well as meat) for your family. There are many breeds of chicken but there are some that are better suited for backyard flocks than others.
The following is a list of the best chicken breeds for backyard flocks:
Brahma: This large breed originally came from China and was imported into the United States in 1849. They grow very quickly and can reach up to 9 pounds at maturity. They lay brown eggs with an average egg production of 250 per year. The Brahma is known for its docile nature and friendly disposition, making them an excellent choice for first time chicken owners.
Cornish Cross: This is a hybrid breed that was created by crossing Cornish and White Rock roosters with Barred Plymouth Rock hens back in the 1930s in New England. They were bred specifically to be raised as meat birds but today they are also used as egg layers because they produce more white eggs than other breeds (about 300 per year). These chickens grow very fast – almost double the weight of other breeds each month – so make sure
The best chicken breeds for backyard flocks are ones that are hardy, healthy, and friendly. While there are many great chicken breeds out there, we’ve chosen our top picks for the best backyard chickens.
- Buff Orpington: The Orpington is a medium-sized bird with a broad breast and full, round body. It has been popular in Great Britain since the early 1900s and was brought to the United States shortly thereafter. The breed produces very large brown eggs and is recognized as one of the five breeds used in the development of both the Cornish-Rock cross and California White Leghorn types. It is a dual purpose breed that produces well under confinement conditions but also adapts well to free range environments. Orpingtons have been described as “amiable” by some sources and “docile” by others; this may depend on how they are handled from an early age. They tend to be slow-growing birds but can live up to eight years if cared for properly.
- Barred Rock: The Barred Rock was developed in New York state in 1849 from Rhode Island Reds crossed with Dark Brahma stock (some say Blue Andalusians). Its name comes from its barred patterning
The following list of chicken breeds is a good starting point for backyard flocks. Each breed has its own inherent strengths and weaknesses, but we’ve selected these breeds based on their popularity in backyard flocks and the ease with which they can be raised by small flock owners.
If you’re looking to raise chickens as pets, or just have some fun with them, then any of these breeds will do well in your backyard. If you’re looking for egg production, then we recommend that you read our article on how to choose the best layers for your backyard flock before choosing any breed.
- Rhode Island Red – The RIR is one of the most popular breeds for backyard flocks because it’s so easy going, adapts well to confinement and produces large brown eggs with a rich orange yolk (which means lots of vitamin A!). It also has a reputation for being especially calm, which makes it a good choice if you want to keep your chickens indoors as pets. They are available in both standard and bantam sizes and come in several different varieties including red, white, buff (tan) and black.
- Barred Plymouth Rock – The Barred Plymouth Rock is another popular choice among small flock owners because
The chicken breeds that we have today are the result of thousands of years of genetic selection and development. In fact, chickens have been around for at least 8,000 years.
In that time, many different species of chickens have been developed for different purposes: utility, egg production, meat production, or ornamental purposes.
Today, there are more than 300 recognized breeds of chickens. That’s a lot to choose from!
So which chicken breed should you get? Here are some factors to consider when choosing your backyard flock:
Size: Some breeds are larger than others. If you don’t have enough space or don’t want large birds in your yard, choose a smaller breed.
Color: Chickens come in all colors imaginable – from white to black to blue to red and many shades in between. Some breeds even come in several different colors! You might want to consider color if it’s important to you or if it makes your chicken stand out in the crowd when they’re out roaming around your property (and they’ll probably appreciate being able to hide during predators’ visits).