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When I started raising chickens, choosing the right breeds was harder than I expected. I quickly learned each breed has different qualities, like egg-laying abilities, friendliness, or how well they handle the weather.
To help you make the best choices for your farm, I’ve created this list of 21 must-have chicken breeds. Whether you’re new to farming or experienced and looking for fresh ideas, these breeds offer something useful and special for everyone.
From hardy layers to gentle pets, each of these chickens brings unique benefits that will make your farm more productive and enjoyable.
1. Polish
Polish chickens are known for their unique appearance, featuring big, fluffy crests on their heads. While they’re average egg layers, their friendly, curious nature makes them great pets. Keep in mind that their fancy crests sometimes limit their vision, making them vulnerable to predators. They do best in protected areas, bringing personality and fun to your farm.
2. Rhode Island Red
Rhode Island Reds are one of my favorites because they’re great at laying eggs and are very easy to care for. They lay large brown eggs nearly every day, making them ideal if your goal is consistent egg production.
These birds handle cold weather well, too, so they’re perfect for farms in colder climates. Rhode Island Reds have friendly personalities and adapt easily to different living situations, whether roaming freely or staying in coops.
They’re strong, reliable birds, perfect for both beginners and seasoned farmers looking for dependable layers.
3. Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)
Plymouth Rocks are another popular breed I highly recommend. Known for their calm, friendly nature, these chickens are excellent if you have children around your farm. They lay brown eggs consistently and handle cold winters very well.
Plymouth Rocks come in different colors, but the black and white striped “Barred Rock” is the most common. They’re easy to manage, and their peaceful behavior makes farm life enjoyable. For steady egg-laying and a relaxed atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with this breed.
4. Leghorn
Leghorns are the champions of egg production, laying white eggs nearly every single day. If your priority is lots of eggs, this breed is perfect. They’re active and curious birds who love to roam, but they’re also quite alert, which helps them avoid predators.
One downside I noticed: they’re a little nervous and not always as cuddly as other breeds. Still, their unmatched egg-laying ability and ease of care make them valuable additions to any farm.
5. Australorp
The Australorp is a breed I recommend if you want plenty of large, tasty brown eggs. Originally from Australia, these chickens set records in egg laying. Besides being excellent layers, Australorps are gentle and friendly, making them perfect for families or small farms.
Their shiny black feathers aren’t just attractive—they help them stay comfortable in different climates. Australorps handle cold weather exceptionally well, making them a reliable choice for year-round egg production and pleasant companionship.
6. Orpington
Orpington chickens, especially Buff Orpingtons, are well-known for being calm, friendly, and gentle. They quickly became a favorite on my farm because of their easygoing nature. These chickens are excellent layers of medium-sized brown eggs and also make good mothers.
Orpingtons do well in colder climates because of their thick, fluffy feathers. If you’re looking for a breed that’s both productive and friendly enough to enjoy as pets, Orpingtons are an excellent choice.
7. Wyandotte
Wyandottes are beautiful, hardy chickens with attractive laced feathers. They’re reliable layers of medium-sized brown eggs, even through winter months. This breed quickly became one of my go-to choices because they’re calm and easy to handle.
Wyandottes adapt easily to various weather conditions, handling both cold and moderate heat well. They also mix nicely with other breeds, making them perfect for any farm looking for consistent egg production combined with great looks and gentle personalities.
8. Sussex
Sussex chickens are known for being friendly, curious, and very easy to handle. I love them because they lay large, creamy-brown eggs consistently. Their gentle nature makes them ideal for farms with kids or anyone who prefers calmer breeds.
Sussex birds are also hardy and adaptable, coping well with colder temperatures. With their friendly personality, steady egg-laying, and attractive plumage, Sussex chickens quickly became one of my most recommended breeds.
9. Ameraucana
If you want colorful eggs, Ameraucanas are the breed to choose. These birds lay beautiful blue or green eggs, adding variety to your daily collection. Beyond their egg color, Ameraucanas are hardy and handle a wide range of temperatures.
They’re friendly, alert, and easy to care for, making them a fun addition to your farm. I enjoy having Ameraucanas around because their unique eggs always surprise visitors and brighten up the egg basket.
10. Silkies
Silkies stand out because of their soft, fluffy feathers, making them one of the most unusual breeds. They lay small, cream-colored eggs and are excellent mothers, often used to hatch eggs from other breeds. Silkies are friendly, calm, and perfect as pets or for kids to handle.
They aren’t the best choice if you want high egg production, but they’re perfect for companionship, adding personality and charm to your farm.
11. Brahma
Brahma chickens are gentle giants known for their large size and quiet temperament. They’re dependable layers of medium-sized brown eggs, especially in winter. These chickens handle cold weather exceptionally well due to their heavy feathering and feather-covered feet.
Despite their size, Brahmas are easygoing and rarely aggressive. I appreciate their calm personalities and reliability in cold climates, making them a strong addition to farms in colder areas.
12. Marans
Marans chickens are famous for laying chocolate-brown eggs. If you love variety and beauty in your egg basket, Marans are perfect. They’re friendly, calm birds and adapt well to many farm settings. Marans handle colder climates well and have attractive feather patterns.
Though they don’t lay eggs as often as some breeds, the beauty and uniqueness of their eggs more than make up for it.
13. Easter Egger
Easter Eggers are a fun, friendly breed known for laying colorful eggs—often blue, green, or even pinkish. They’re hardy, active birds that love exploring. Easter Eggers don’t have strict breed standards, so their appearance can vary widely.
They adapt well to different environments, making them a versatile choice for any farm. If you’re looking for colorful eggs and easygoing birds, Easter Eggers are a great pick.
14. Cochin
Cochins are known for their gentle personalities and thick feathering, which makes them perfect for colder areas. They’re average egg layers, producing medium-sized brown eggs. But their strength lies in being excellent mothers and pets. Cochins are calm, friendly, and easy to handle. If you value gentleness, broodiness, and companionship over high egg production, Cochins are ideal.
15. New Hampshire Red
Similar to Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire Reds are excellent egg layers and handle cold climates well. They’re friendly, reliable, and easy to manage, laying plenty of large brown eggs. They adapt easily to free-range or coop living and are generally calm, making them a solid choice for farms of all sizes.
16. Welsummer
Welsummer chickens lay beautiful dark-brown eggs, often with speckles, which quickly became a favorite on my farm. They’re active birds who enjoy foraging, making them perfect for free-range setups. While they’re not the most frequent layers, their eggs are truly special.
Welsummers handle different climates well and adapt easily to both warm and cool temperatures. Their curious nature, attractive feathers, and unique eggs make them a wonderful choice if you’re looking for variety and charm on your farm.
17. Jersey Giant
Jersey Giants live up to their name—they’re one of the largest chicken breeds available. Despite their size, they’re gentle and friendly, making them surprisingly easy to handle. They produce large brown eggs consistently, and their calm personalities make them excellent for farms with kids or first-time chicken owners.
Their thick feathers help them handle colder climates very well. If you’re looking for a big, friendly breed that lays eggs reliably, Jersey Giants are ideal.
18. Delaware
Delawares are friendly, calm chickens with a reputation for being both good layers and excellent for meat production. They lay large brown eggs regularly, and their easy-going personality makes them great pets as well.
Delawares tolerate colder climates and adapt nicely to free-range or coop life. Their hardy nature and reliability made them a must-have breed for me. They’re perfect if you want a dual-purpose chicken that’s simple to care for and productive year-round.
19. Dominique
Dominique chickens are considered one of America’s oldest breeds, prized for their toughness and reliability. They lay medium-sized brown eggs consistently and are well-known for their calm, friendly nature.
Dominiques are perfect if you have limited space or prefer chickens who do well both in coops and free-ranging. They’re hardy birds that manage cold weather very well due to their thick, fluffy feathers. If you’re looking for a classic, reliable breed, Dominiques are a great choice.
20. Frizzle
Frizzle chickens get their name from their uniquely curled feathers, making them stand out in any flock. They’re average egg layers of small to medium-sized cream-colored eggs, but their charm is their playful appearance and gentle personality.
Because of their special feathers, Frizzles need extra protection from extreme cold and wet weather. These birds add personality, beauty, and a little fun to your farm, making them perfect if you want a breed that’s as enjoyable as it is unique.
21. Andalusian
Andalusian chickens are known for their striking blue-gray feathers and active personalities. They’re good layers, producing medium to large white eggs regularly. Andalusians enjoy foraging and do best in free-range environments.
They’re hardy but prefer moderate to warm climates rather than very cold conditions. Their curious, lively nature adds energy and beauty to your farm, making them great choices if you’re looking to add variety and style to your flock.
