The Best Chicken Breeds For Your Backyard (Pick the Right Ones!)
Beautiful eggs in all different colors. Chickens that follow you around your yard wanting treats and attention. You can have all of this, but it all starts with choosing the right chicken breeds. And trust me, this part of keeping backyard chickens not as simple as you might think…
Choosing the Right Chicken Breed (Special Considerations)
There are plenty of breeds meant for eggs or butchering and we’ll get to those. But if you want a pet-like bird, a classic breed, or just something beautiful, these are all worth a look.
Choosing Chickens For Colored Eggs
Eggshell color is genetic and has nothing to do with what a bird eats, how it’s raised, or anything else. That means for the prettiest egg basket in town, you need to pick the right breeds.
- Chickens That Lay Blue Eggs
- Chickens That Lay Green Eggs
- Chickens That Lay Brown Eggs
- Chickens That Lay White Eggs
- Chickens That Lay Chocolate Eggs
- Chickens That Lay Cream Colored Eggs
- My Top Picks for Eggs of Each Color
Choosing Chickens for Productivity
Let’s be honest, sometimes we just want a lot of eggs or a lot of meat. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Whether you’re dreaming of omelets every morning or stocking your freezer for the winter, choosing the right breeds can make all the difference. So let’s explore the chicken world’s high achievers.
Deep-Dives Into Specific Breeds
Let’s get up close and personal with some of my favorite breeds. These are the chickens that have won my heart (and my children’s!) over the years. Each one has its own unique personality and quirks, and I can’t wait to share them with you.
- Barred Rock Chickens
- California Whites
- Wyandotte Chickens
- Buff Orpingtons
- Delaware Chickens
- Cinnamon Queens
- Green Queens
- Easter Egger Chickens
These are some of my favorite breeds. (If you get a few of each you’ll have a very balanced and productive flock.)
Backyard Breed FAQs
There is no single best chicken. Some excel at laying a lot of eggs, some have a great personality, and some lay beautifully colored eggs.
The ideal flock will balance all of these, with a few breeds that can do each thing.
But…if I had to choose one single chicken breed, it would be the Cinnamon Queen. It’s a great balance of productivity and friendliness.
Wyandottes, Orpingtons, and Silkies all have reputations for being the most personable.
They are great for families with kids and will follow you around your yard looking for company.
Caring for Your Chickens Once They’re Home
Picking chicken breeds is fun, but it’s just the beginning. To learn about to care for your flock, you’ll find more inn my collection of articles about how to care for chickens.
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Now you’re ready to take the next step in your chicken-keeping journey. Visit your local hatchery, browse online resources, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Your perfect flock is waiting.
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.