The ICYouSee
Handy-Dandy Chicken Charts:
Our Flock (Backyard Breeds)

'If I hadn't started painting, I would have raised chickens.' -- Anna Mary Moses

The Chicken Breed Charts

Our Flock (Backyard Breeds)

Full Alphabetical List

Chicken Resources on the Web

Why another chicken page?

On this chart are the breeds we have included in our flock either currently or at some time in the recent past. Unlike most of the breeds on the main ICYouSee Handy Dandy Chicken Breed Chart, all are breeds with which I have had first-hand experience. Most of the breeds listed on this page can be called Dual Purpose -- breeds developed both for their egg production and use as table birds. With a few exceptions, all of our birds, hens and, in in some cases, cocks, have done well in a mixed-breed, backyard, small-scale free-ranging flock. All of the breeds have proven robust in our New York State climate. Some have thrived, and all have survived in an unheated, partially insulated hen house through winters where outside temperatures can reach 20 below (Fahrenheit), with the worst damage being some loss of comb due to frostbite by some single comb cocks.

NOTE: If the table does not quite fit on your screen, make sure your page fills the whole screen and then try decreasing font/text size.

Breed
(with links to other sites with images and more information)

Varieties / Rarity / What's a hen weigh?

Class and Type

Origins

Egg color & productivity; egg size

Comb / Skin color / Earlobes

Brooding
Hardiness
Maturing

Behavior

Aracauna
Ameraucana
portrait FS PB 0


Black, Blue, Blue-wheaten, Brown-red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, and White


Easter Eggers are common. Standard Ameraucanas are rare.
88%/8% (EEs/pure)
5.5 lb/2.5 kg

APA (1984):
Large
: All Other Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized


Layer
Fancy:
Muffed, Bearded

South American. May or may not be genetically related to the Araucana. Standardized & accepted into the APA in 1984. Most hatcheries, however, sell mongrel Easter Egg chickens that may lay blue, green, or other colors of eggs.

fair

various
shades
of blue

(Only Easter Eggers are supposed to lay green eggs, but finding purebred Americaunas that lay blue eggs can be difficult)

pea


white with slate colored shanks
good brooder
very cold hardy
moderately early maturing

well adaptable to confinement or free range; mostly calm, non-aggressive

[all but one of our blue-green egg layers have been mongrel Easter Eggers rather than purebred Ameraucanas; most all of ours have been very friendly & easily handled.]

 

The chipmunky blue-egger.

medium

Blue Andalusian
Andalusian
portrait FS OK PP box GO PB

Blue


Still popular as a show bird.
32%
Standard:
5.5 lb/2.4 kg
Bantam:
1.75 lb/0.8 kg

APA (1874):
Large
: Mediterranean; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Light, Rare
hackel feathers prized for fly tying
Layer
Fancy:
Blue feathered

Developed in Spain & England in mid-19th century. Studied by Gregor Mendel in experiments in genetics & heredity.
Blue color does not breed true. Black & Splash (White) are necessary for breeding, but are not permitted to be shown.

good
chalk to creamy white

single
white skin,
slate blue shanks
white
mostly a non-setter
hardy; heat tolerant; combs subject to frostbite
early maturing
economical eater; adaptable to confinement, but prefers free range; active, flighty, noisy, avoids human contact

The original blue.

large

Breed
(with links to other sites with images and more information)

Varieties / Rarity / What's a hen weigh?

Class and Type

Origins

Egg color & productivity; egg size

Comb / Skin color / Earlobes

Brooding
Hardiness
Maturing

Behavior

Barnevelder
Barnevelder
portrait FS OK Om PP box GO

Double-laced, Blue-laced, White, Black, others


Little known until recently.
4%
Standard:
6-7 lb/2.7-3.2 kg
Bantam:
2.25 lb/1.0 kg

APA (2001):
Large
: Continental
PC: Soft Feather Heavy


Dual Purpose

Developed in late 19th C./early 20th century. in Holland for dark egg laying. Developed from an older local variety that may date as early as the 12th century. In recent history, some strains have been bred for show and others for the darkness of their eggs.

good
very dark reddish brown,
with matte finish
single
yellow skin &
shanks
red
can be non-setter or good brooder
less cold hardy; good in damp conditions
slow to mature, & some chicks can be easily bullied
well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, friendly

Famous for large dark brown eggs.

large

Light Brahma
Brahma
portrait FS OK PP box PB 0

Light, Dark, Buff


Less common to rare.
48%/20% (light/all other)
Standard:
9 lb/4.1 kg
Bantam:
2.6 lb/1.2 kg

APA (1874):
Large
:Asiatic Bantam: Feather Legged
PC: Soft feather Heavy


feathers prized for fly tying
meat prized for its flavor, tenderness, or quality
Dual Purpose
Fancy:
Feather Footed, outside only

Introduced from China in mid-19th century. The largest breed at the time. Before the name Brahma was settled on, they were also called Chittagongs, Shanghais (as were the Cochins), and Brahmapootras.

good

brown

pea


yellow skin &
shanks
red
good brooder
robust; very hardy in heat and cold
slow to mature
adaptable to confinement or free range; mostly gentle; can be easied handled, but also standoffish; has a tendency toward fatness

Large and regal.

medium

Buckeye
Buckeye
FS OK AL

Nut brown, only


Very rare.
12%
6.5 lb/2.9 kg

APA (1904):
Large: American
PC: Not recognized


Dual Purpose

Developed by Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio, in late 19th century. Never widely popular.

poor to fair

brown

pea
white skin & blue/gray
shanks
red
can be broody
very cold hardy
moderately slow maturing
adaptable to confinement, very adaptable to free range; calm, friendly

Buckeye brown bird from the Buckeye state.

medium

Golden Campine
Campine

portrait FS OK PP box 0

Golden, Silver


Uncommon.
40%/32% (golden/silver)
5 lb/2.2 kg

APA:
Large: Continental; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft feather Light


Layer

May have ancient ancestry, but refined & further developed in Belgium in the 19th century. Braekel is a closely related European breed.

Some males are hen-feathered.

good
white

large single


white skin,
blue shanks
white
non-setter
hardy; comb subject to frostbite
quick feathering but late maturing
economical eater; adaptable to confinement, but prefers free range; flyer; alert, lively; inquisitive; some are rather wild, others can be friendly

Beautiful bird with unique pencilling.

medium

Breed
(with links to other sites with images and more information)

Varieties / Rarity / What's a hen weigh?

Class and Type

Origins

Egg color & productivity; egg size

Comb / Skin color / Earlobes

Brooding
Hardiness
Maturing

Behavior

Delaware
Delaware
portrait FS OK AL

White [Columbian]


Rare.
32%
6.5 lb/2.9 kg

APA (1952):
Large
: American; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized


Dual Purpose

Developed by George Ellis in 1940 in Delaware.

Unknown in most of the world.

very good

medium
to rich
brown

good winter layer

single
yellow skin &
shanks
red
can be broody
robust; hardy in heat & cold
early maturing
well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, friendly

A broiler cross that became a breed.

large

Dorking
Dorking
FS OK Om AR PP box GO RB club

Silver Gray, White, Colored


Extremely rare.
16%/4% (silver/all other)
Standard:
6.5 lb/2.2 kg
Bantam:
1.0 lb/0.8 kg

APA (1874):
Large
: English; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft feather Heavy


Dual Purpose
Fancy:
Five-Toed
Short legs

Ancient; believed to have been introduced to England by Romans -- based primarily on a description by a Roman writer of a chicken with five toes.

fair to good

creamy
white to
light tint

rose & single
white skin &
shanks
red
great brooder; good mother
less hardy in general, cold hardy
chicks delicate & slow to mature
adaptable to confinement or free range; does not scratch excessively; calm; stately or awkward; fattens easily; gentle; friendly; easily tamed & handled

Short legged, very ancient, very English.

medium

Breed
(with links to other sites with images and more information)

Varieties / Rarity / What's a hen weigh?

Class and Type

Origins

Egg color & productivity; egg size

Comb / Skin color / Earlobes

Brooding
Hardiness
Maturing

Behavior

Salmon Faverolle
Faverolles

portrait FS OK Om AR PP box club

Salmon, White


Once rare, but gaining popularity.
44%
Standard:
7.5 lb/3.4 kg
Bantam:
2.2 lb/1.0 kg

APA (1914):
Large
: Continental; Bantam: Feather Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy


Dual Purpose
Fancy:
Bearded & muffed
Feather footed, outside only
Five-Toed

Developed in France in early 19th century.

very good

creamy
tint

good winter layer

small single
white skin &
shanks
red [hidden by feathers]
can be broody
robust; cold hardy; because of fancy feathering, not suited for foul weather

early maturing

bears confinement well; alert; calm; very docile; genteel; prone to bullying by others

The French Poodle of chicken breeds.

medium

Silver Spangled Hamburg
Hamburg or Hamburgh
portrait FS OK PP box 0

Silver-Spangled, Golden-Spangled, Golden-Penciled, Silver-Penciled, White, Black


Less common.
56%/24% (silver-spangled/all other)
Standard:
4 lb/1.8 kg
Bantam:
1.5 lb/0.7 kg

APA (1874):
Large
: Continental Bantam: Rose Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Light


Layer

Developed in Holland (not Germany) before 1700; may be ancient. Historical names include Pheasants, Moonies, Crescents, Corals & Everlayers.

very good
low-gloss
white

rose


white skin, slate blue shanks
white
non-setter
hardy; cold hardy
very early maturing
very economical eater; likes wide range; less tolerant of close confinement; high flyer; very flighty; spritely, active, avoids human contact

The spritely, little "everyday layer."

small

Jersey Black Giant
Jersey Giant
portrait FS OK PP box

Black, White


Uncommon. Was in decline; Blacks seems to be holding their own.
56%/28% (black/all other)
10 lb/4.6 kg

APA (1922):
Large
: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Heavy, Rare


meat prized for its flavor, tenderness, or quality
Dual Purpose

Developed in New Jersey in 1870s. Never commercially popular, but bird of choice for capons

fair to good

brown

good winter layer

small
single


yellow skin,
dark shanks
red
good brooder; protective mother
robust; very cold hardy
very slow to mature
not an economical eater; adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, gentle, easily handled

The chicken world's largest breed.

medium to large

Breed
(with links to other sites with images and more information)

Varieties / Rarity / What's a hen weigh?

Class and Type

Origins

Egg color & productivity; egg size

Comb / Skin color / Earlobes

Brooding
Hardiness
Maturing

Behavior

Lakenvelder

Lakenvelder
portrait FS OK Om PP box GO

Black/white/black pattern.


Rare.
52%/20% (silver/gold)
4 lb/1.8 kg

APA (1939):
Large: Continental; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft feather Light


Layer

Developed in Germany in early 19th century. Golden Lakenvelders are not standard. Vorwerk is a bantam with the black/gold/black pattern.

good

white to
light tint

single
white skin,
dark shanks
white
non-setter
hardy
early maturing
well adaptable to confinement or free range; flyer; flighty, avoids human contact

Shadow on a sheet.

small

Black Langshan
Langshan
portrait FS OK box GO PB

Black, White, & Blue.


Uncommon.
32%/16% (black/all other)
7.5 lb/3.4 kg

APA (1883):
Large
: Asiatic; Bantam: Feather Legged
PC: Soft feather Heavy


Dual Purpose
[formerly Meat]
Fancy:
Feather Footed, outside only (some varieties are clean footed)

Introduced from China in mid-19th century. Major Croad introduced them to England & gave his name to an early variety of Langshans. In Europe & elsewhere, distinctions are made between Croad & Modern Langshans.

good

brown
[Croad
Langshans
once lay very
dark
brown]

single
greyish white skin,
dark shanks
red
can be broody
very hardy; cold hardy
slow to mature
well adaptable to confinement or free range; active for their size; graceful; not as calm or docile as other large breeds

The long-legged, high-tailed, and feather-footed regal bird.

medium

White Leghorn
Leghorn
portrait FS OK Om AR PP box GO PB RF club

Dark Brown, Light Brown, White, Buff, Black, Silver, Red, Black-Tailed Red, Columbian


Common.
84%/80%/32% white/brown/all other
Standard:
4.5 lb/2 kg
Bantam:
1.75 lb/0.8 kg

APA (1874):
Large
: Mediterranean; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Light


feathers prized for fly tying
Layer

Ancient, but greatly developed in 19th & 20th centuries. Honored by the Romans, and the white variety was reportedly developed for use in ceremony and foretelling the future. One of the most popular birds around the globe.

prolific+
pearl
white
(non-white feathered varieties are less prolific.)

large
single;
also rose
yellow skin &
shanks
white
non-setter
hardy; combs subject to frostbite
very early maturing
economical eater; well adaptable to confinement or free range; flyer; flighty; spritely, noisy, nervous, usually avoids human contact

The ultimate egg machine.

medium to large
[commercial whites' are especially large]

Breed
(with links to other sites with images and more information)

Varieties / Rarity / What's a hen weigh?

Class and Type

Origins

Egg color & productivity; egg size

Comb / Skin color / Earlobes

Brooding
Hardiness
Maturing

Behavior

Cuckoo Marans

Marans
FS Om PP box GO RF

Dark, Cuckoo, others


Once little known, but now becoming trendy.
4%
Standard:
7 lb/3.2 kg
Bantam:
2.2 lb/1.0 kg

APA: Not recognized
PC: Soft Feather Heavy


Layer
Feather or Clean Footed,depending on country standard or strain

Developed in France in early 20th century. Since French and English standards are different, and both have been imported into North America, standardization in the United States may not occur any time soon.

good

dark
chocolate
brown

single
white skin &
shanks
red
non-setter but occasionally broody
some strains less hardy
well adaptable to confinement or free range; varies widely by strain: very active; calm or wild, difficult or easy to manage

Known for one thing -- chocolate colored eggs.

medium to large

New Hampshire Red
New Hampshire or New Hampshire Red
portrait FS OK Om PP box GO

Light brownish red, only


Fairly common
72%
Standard:
6.5 lb/2.9 kg
Bantam:
1.9 lb/0.85 kg

APA (1935):
Large: American; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Heavy, Rare


feathers prized for fly tying
Dual Purpose

Developed in New Hamphire from the Rhode Island Red in early 20th century.

very good

light to
medium
dark brown

good winter layer

large
single
yellow skin &
shanks
red
good brooder & mother
robust; cold hardy, except combs subject to frostbite
very early maturing
well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, can be friendly or aggressive

New Hampshire's answer to Rhode Island.

large

Buff Orpington
Orpington
portrait FS OK Om AR PP box GO

Buff, Black, Blue, White


Only buffs are still popular.
88%/8% (buff/all other)
Standard:
8 lb/3.6 kg
Bantam:
2.2 lb/1 kg

APA (1902):
Large
: English; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy


Dual Purpose
[formerly Meat]

Originally developed by William Cook in Orpington (County Kent) the 1880s. Some varieties developed by his daughter.

good

brown

good winter layer

single
white skin &
white or dark shanks
red
good brooder; excellent mother
hardy; very cold hardy
moderately early maturing
adaptable to free range; very adaptable to confinement; docile; affectionate, easily handled; can be bullied

Big friendly bird.

medium to large

Barred Rock
Plymouth Rock
portrait FS OK Om AR PP box GO club

Barred, White, Buff, Silver Penciled, Partridge, Columbian, Blue


Popular
96%/84%/52%/32% (barred/white/prtg/all other)
Standard:
7.5 lb/3.4 kg
Bantam:
2.2 lb/1 kg

APA (1874):
Large: American; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy


feathers prized for fly tying
Dual Purpose

Developed in New England in 19th century.

Once common on the homestead, still popular in the backyard.

good

light (or pinkish) to
medium
brown

good winter layer

small
single
yellow skin &
shanks
red
broods, but infrequently; good mother
robust; very cold hardy
somewhat early maturing
well adaptable to confinement or free range; docile, friendly, easily handled

Once upon a time America's favorite breed.

large

Breed
(with links to other sites with images and more information)

Varieties / Rarity / What's a hen weigh?

Class and Type

Origins

Egg color & productivity; egg size

Comb / Skin color / Earlobes

Brooding
Hardiness
Maturing

Behavior

Rhode Island Red
Rhode Island
portrait FS OK AL Om AR PP box club

Rhode Island Red & Rhode Island White
(two separate breeds)


Popular, but purebreds are uncommon.
68%/44%/28% (production/red/white)
Standard:
6.5 lb/2.9 kg
Bantam:
2 lb/0.9 kg

APA (1904/1922): Large: American; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy


Dual Purpose

Developed in New England in 19th century.

prolific

rich
medium
brown

good winter layer

large
single;
also rose
yellow skin &
shanks
red
broods infrequently; can be dutiful mother
robust; cold hardy, except combs subject to frostbite
moderately early maturing
well adaptable to confinement or free range; active, calm & fairly docile, can be aggressive (cocks are especially notorious)

Best of breeds for producing brown eggs.

large

Speckled Sussex
Sussex
portrait FS OK Om AR PP box GO RF

Speckled, Red, Light


Uncommon.
44%/0% (speckled/all other)
Standard:
7 lb/3.2 kg
Bantam:
2.2 lb/1 kg

APA (1914):
Large: English; Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy


Dual Purpose

Developed in county of Sussex in early 19th century.

very good

creamy
to light
brown

good winter layer

single
white skin &
shanks
red
good brooder & mother
robust; very cold hardy
moderately early maturing
well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm; gentle; active; can be curious; friendly; easily handled

An old English favorite

medium to large

Welsumer
Welsumer or Welsummer
portrait FS AR Om PPPP box GO club

Red Partridge


Once little known, but gaining popularity.
12%
Standard:
6 lb/2.7 kg
Bantam:
2 lb/0.9 kg

APA (2001):
Large
: Continental
PC: Soft Feather Light


Dual Purpose

Developed in Holland in 20th century.

good, some very good

rich
dark
terracotta
brown

small single
yellow skin &
shanks
red
mixed reports on setting & brooding
hardy; cold hardy
moderately early maturing
economical eater; well adaptable to confinement or free range; lively, but not especially flighty; energetic; friendly

Backyard bird with big brown eggs.

large

Silver Laced Wyandotte
Wyandotte
portrait FS OK Om AR PP box GO PB

Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Buff, Partridge, Silvered Penciled, Columbian


Popular.
92%/64%/24% (slver/gold/all other)
Standard:
6.5 lb/2.9 kg
Bantam:
2.2 lb/1 kg

APA (1883):
Large
: American; Bantam: Rose Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy


feathers prized for fly tying
Dual Purpose

Developed in New York State & Wisconsin in late 19th century.

good

light
to rich
brown

good winter layer

rose
yellow skin &
shanks
red
broods, but infrequently; excellent mother
robust; very cold hardy
moderately early maturing
well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, industrious, usually docile, but can be aggressive; some are aloof, others friendly

The "bird of curves."

large

The links in the first column of the chart lead you to sites created and developed by other individuals. They are not part of the chicken chart site, and I have not helped create and do not claim responsiblity for them.
Numerous books (new and old, and including those by authors Harry Lewis, Lewis Wright, Alanna Moore, H. S. Babcock, Caleb N. Bement, Frank L. Platt, Louis M. Hurd, James E. Rice and Harold E. Botsford, Joseph Batty, Ian Kay, Eric Bailey, Page Smith and Charles Daniel, and Tamara Staples), articles from Mother Earth News, Organic Gardening, and Science News, the Murray McMurray and Glenn Drown's Sandhill Preservation catalogs, and multiple Web sites (especially the Web sites in the "KEY TO LINKS" section below) were consulted in creating the chicken chart. Sources, of course, do not always agree, so personal judgments, common sense, and some limited personal knowledge were also used in determining the final make-up of the chart. If you have corrections or suggestions, please let me know.

Notes on symbols and keywords:


This page authored and maintained by: John R. Henderson (jhenderson@ithaca.edu), Lodi, NY.
Last modified: October 1, 2007
All chicken portraits are by Diane Jacky and are used by permission.
URL: http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/.html