Rural Living Today

Creating a homestead can be a difficult process if you’re not sure what type of livestock can help sustain your rural lifestyle. One of the most beneficial is to invest in is the Ameraucana chicken.

This unique chicken breed is fairly new and only made its first appearance in the early 1970s.

While it may not seem like an ideal breed to keep in your backyard, you’ll be surprised by its uses.

The Ameraucana breed of chicken is known for being ideal for rural areas due to its skittish nature.

It doesn’t do well in suburban areas and is susceptible to stress when placed with other livestock.

This sounds like a downside, but when living isolated, the chicken produces many different resources that become valuable.

Many people enjoy the Ameraucana breed because of its puffy and comical cheeks, while others love the chicken’s disposition.

The chicken’s personality aside, they are very bright and curious birds that make amazing pets.

Lastly, they work well in multiple climates and are very versatile.

Let us learn more about the Ameraucana breed to help you understand if it’s right for you or not.

History of the Ameraucana Chicken

The Ameraucana breed of chicken was first bred using a type of blue- or green-tinted egg-laying chicken called the Araucana, so the Ameraucana is commonly confused with the Araucana breed.

The Araucana is a popular chicken breed from South America and has slight defects that cut down its life expectancy.

On that note, the Ameraucana chickens were bred in the USA in the early 1970s to help remove a genetic defect that the Araucana suffered from, which was an ear tuft that could heighten the death rate of baby chicks.

After a decade of breeding, the Ameraucana was recognized as a breed of its own.

As of 1984, the American Poultry Association recognizes the Ameraucana as a standard breed.

They also have included eight different color variations of the species and noted their different characteristics.

More of the Ameraucana breed survived birth and were able to live healthy lives.

This produced a healthy chicken that could still produce high-quality eggs, plumage, and meat.

Additionally, their temperament was less aggressive and friendly.

Ameraucana Chicken Characteristics

Let us now look at how this breed looks, behaves, and more.

This way, you’ll understand its needs, as well as how you can take care and breed it.

What does a Ameraucana Chicken Look Like

The Ameraucana breed has a few notable appearances.

It is one of the most versatile chickens when it comes to looks.

It can have up to eight different colors, which makes it hard to describe.

Nonetheless, we will do our best to give you the overall appearances that are notable to them.

Each chicken includes its unique palettes, which are a mixture of black, white, blue, and brown.

This allows each chicken to be unique and have stunning colors and looks.

Either way, they are beautiful and eye-catching to keep on your property.

With their thick feathers, they are considered a winter hardy bird, which allows them to survive in a multitude of different climates.

Their beard and muffs are often puffy and give them a distinct silly chipmunk-like face. 

Other characteristics include deep red eyes that look sharp and intimidating, while their puffy cheeks and skittish personality make them less scary.

Weight-wise, females range from five to four pounds, while males can be as heavy as up to seven pounds.

Where as the Bantam Chickens are miniature chickens breed.

Ameraucana Disposition and Behavior

As for the chicken’s disposition, the Ameraucana is very friendly but can be easily scared away but quick movements and loud sounds.

They are often found in flocks chattering with each other, and you won’t find some of them having problems interacting with one another or humans.

Do note, though, that they don’t do well with other farm animals, so it’s best to keep them in a secluded area where they can roam around freely.

This will keep them happy and stress-free.

Additionally, they may enjoy having you around them, but aren’t as friendly as other breeds and don’t want to be touched or petted.

Other dispositions known to breeders are that not only is the Ameraucana’s appearance variable, but also its personality.

They show a wide variety of behaviors which makes certain traits hard to pinpoint at times.

This is likely due to the breed’s upbringing and genetic differences between the standards.

Males do tend to be a bit more aggressive and territorial, while the females generally do well with each other but need to be given their personal space.

With their large frame, these chickens should be kept in large cages, providing plenty of space width-wise.

This can help prevent their stress levels and skittishness from spiking.

Ameraucana Egg Laying Habits

The eggs that the Ameraucana hens lay are either white or light blue.

This breed can produce up to three to four eggs every seven days, so they are ideal for egg production.

The eggs themselves are medium in size and can either be used for food or as starter eggs. 

Some owners begin to worry as the breed doesn’t produce eggs until 18 to 20 weeks, or around five to seven months.

Compared to other breeds, this is later in the game, but they end up producing more at a quicker rate.

Plus, the eggs they produce are of higher quality.

There was a rumor going around that Ameraucana eggs were more nutritious than others, but that theory was debunked later as a marketing ploy.

The eggs contain the same nutritional content as other eggs. 

Lastly, the Ameraucana is a non-brody breed, which means you will need to invest in an incubator.

This can help assist you in keeping the starter eggs alive and producing more chickens.

If you aren’t focused on producing more chickens, though, then you can skip this step.

Sex Linkage

As mentioned, the Ameraucana breed of chicken originated from the Araucana chicken, which was originally from Chile.

Over the years, they have produced genetic differences, as the Ameraucana has been bred to have thicker feathers, do well in multiple climates, and have less recessive genetics. 

Many people tend to confuse it with the Easter Egger chicken due to the similarities in looks and production of slightly blue eggs.

That said, they have completely different origins, and the Easter Egger is not recognized as a breed.

The Ameraucana has only existed since the 1970s and only were recognized as their own standard back in the 1980s.

Ameraucana Health Issues

As with any chicken breeds, the Ameraucana is fairly healthy and doesn’t pose any large health risks for its breed.

It doesn’t have any known genetic deficiencies that may cause long term illnesses or diseases.

The species is known for being one of the healthiest that has been brought over to America. 

The expected lifespan of an Ameraucana breed is approximately seven to eight years if kept healthy.

Of course, the chicken is still prone to common chicken diseases, parasites, and other small issues if not kept in a good environment.

The only issue is their skittish disposition, which only gets worse if they are not kept in a safe environment.

Here’s a good video that showcases a typical Ameraucana chicken:

Are Ameraucana Chickens Right for Your Homestead?

If you’re looking for a family-friendly chicken, then you may want to skip on this breed.

It doesn’t do well due to its docile nature, and while it can be people-friendly, it prefers to be alone.

Additionally, the chicken has bigger bodies than most other chickens and needs to have adequate space.

The breed is accustomed to cold climates but must be kept in a draft proof coop otherwise, they may get sick.

They do enjoy their coop, but they will also benefit from being able to roam around.

If you’re looking for a few beautiful blue-tinted eggs every week, then this breed will be ideal.

Other people like using their eggs for selling as starter sets.

The only issue is that they don’t produce enough eggs annually for a supermarket.

Lastly, the male version of this breed tends to get aggressive at times.

They should be separated and have their own space.

The females aren’t too aggressive, but they can get irritated with each other at times.

If you have the money and space, it’s best to give this breed plenty of space for the flock and to roam around.

As a homestead chicken, they can be pretty useful if you’re only planning to support yourself.

If you want to branch out, we recommend getting other types of chickens.

Other breeds will give you better egg production and be able to support your family while also being able to brood the eggs themselves.

Ameraucana Chickens – A Breed Apart

The Ameraucana is considered to be one of the rarest breeds in the USA.

While they generally do well in most climates, their origins are from South America so they would benefit more from a similar environment.

If you’re looking for a steady way to support you or your family with their meat, eggs, and plumage, then these will suffice.

If you’re looking to start a farm or have a larger production, we recommend skipping this breed. Delaware Chicken

Looking at their overall cost, they can be worth the investment as long as you understand that they won’t start producing eggs until almost six months after they are born.

The Delaware chicken breed is one of the fastest-growing of the popular heritage chicken breeds.

One of the best ways to be self-sufficient in rural areas is to produce your own food, and many homesteads benefit from the addition of Delaware chicken.

It is known for being a stunning hen that produces brown eggs which are perfect for breeding and consumption.

Additionally, its calm demeanor and friendly temperament make it ideal for beginners.

Due to its thick feathered body, it is also suitable for cooler climates.

The only issue is that it is a dying breed.

Similar to the Cornish cross, the Delaware breed soon became overpopulated, but fortunately, it is slowly coming back into trend due to homestead construction and backyard flocks.

If you plan on taking care or breeding chickens, today, we will give you a detailed breakdown of the breed.

This will help you understand if it can fit your rural lifestyle or not.

Delaware Chicken Breed’s History

As the name may suggest, this chicken breed originated from Delaware in the USA.

The breed started in the early 1940s by a man named George Ellis.

He raised this chicken breed for the sole purpose of providing single comb brown eggs.

He mixed the chickens with the Rhode Island Red breed, and this resulted in a higher grade of meat and eggs.

The chicken was not originally named the “Delaware”, but Indian Rivers and was changed sooner to Ohio Beauty.

This was due to its growing popularity in Ohio.

In the year 1952, it finally changed to represent its origins.

For production, the chicken breed has been a favorite because its plumage produced both white and black feathers.

This later was found to be even more amazing because its appearance remained slightly even when plucked.

Likewise, the chicken’s rapid growth ensured that there was a steady flow of both plumage and eggs, as well as showed a great capability to provide a meat source.

The chicken’s quick production speeds and healthy appearance made it ideal for use in the competitive broiler industry.

However, they were outclassed by other standards such as the Cornish Rock Cross nearly 20 years later.

In 1952, this chicken breed was finally admitted into the American Poultry Association.

It is the only variety of the white and black spotted chicken breeds, as well as a breed that features bearings on its hackles.

Sadly, the Delaware breed is not commonly bred unless on small farms, which means there are no other standards from their breed.

As such, as of 2009, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Company included them in the list of dying chicken breeds.

Delaware Chicken Characteristics

Let us look at the different things you would expect from a Delaware breed of chicken.

This way, you will understand their needs and usefulness.

Delaware Chicken Appearance and Traits

The Delaware breed of chicken is a medium-sized bird characterized by its white and black plumage.

The feather color is a mixture between either white or silver, and the tails and wings contain a few black barrings.

The chicken has a broad and deep body, which is perfect for colder climates.

Other characteristics prominent to the Delaware breed are the deep red comb, wattles, and earlobes.

Additionally, the combs are larger than other chicken breeds.

Their eyes range from a deep reddish bay color all the way to a golden brown. Lastly, their beaks are a deep red with their skin and legs being bright yellow.

Compared to other chicken breeds like the Cornish Hen, they are very similar in build and weight.

Generally, males weigh between seven and eight pounds and feature a stocky build.

On the other hand, females are approximately six pounds and feature a slightly smaller stature.

Delaware Chickens Disposition and Behavior

As for their disposition, Delaware Chickens breed is known to be calm, friendly, and intelligent.

Although one of the chicken breed’s major behavior is being quiet, they do enjoy chatting with one another from time to time.

Other prominent traits include being assertive towards others at times.

While they generally get along in a flock, sometimes they may be irritated with one another.

That said, the Delaware breed is less assertive than other chicken breeds such as the Rhode Island Reds.

Many of the Delawares enjoy being around others and benefit from a rich environment.

Their keen sense of curiosity makes them ideal for small homesteads or backyard farms.

Their favorite activities are pecking around in the dirt and observing or aiding humans around them in daily tasks.

Their thick feathered body makes them ideal for colder climates, but they may also enjoy the sun if they have shade to rest in.

Their interaction with humans is always positive, and they can even befriend their owners.

Many of them enjoy interacting with humans, which includes cuddling, petting, and resting on their laps.

They are very loving creatures and are some of the most friendly chickens you will find.

That being said, they aren’t always ideal for those looking for maximum production and profits.

They are ideal for a small homestead but shouldn’t be bred for industrial use.

Delaware Chicken Egg Laying Habits

The Delaware breed can produce up to four large brown eggs every seven days.

However, they are not interested in brooding, which can make it difficult for some of the eggs to hatch on time.

So, investing in an incubator and learning how to hatch chickens on your own will help ensure that the eggs are properly fertilized and brooded.

If you’re not planning on using the eggs to produce more hens, then you can easily skip the incubator, but still, we highly recommend to keep the incubator.

That is because it will provide you free hens and a stable flow of both meat, plumage, and eggs.

Delaware Breed Sex Linkage

As mentioned, the Delaware breed was originally bred from a mixture of both the New Hampshire and Barred Rock chicken breeds.

With their genetic similarities, you can produce Delaware chicken with several other breeds easily.

Many times we see farmers breed the Delaware breed with other sex-linked baby chicks.

The best combination of the Delaware rooster is, of course, the New Hampshire Red or the Rhode Island Red hen.

They can also be mixed by using a New Hampshire Red or Rhode Island Red rooster and mate it with a Delaware hen to get red sex-linked baby chicks.

Delaware Chicken Health Issues

The Delaware breed is generally a healthy chicken, but it may be susceptible to parasites.

The only other major issue breeders are aware of is that their combs are huge, which results in them being sensitive to cold weather.

While the breed itself does well in the cold, their comb can easily be damaged.

To avoid this, many breeders tend to place petroleum jelly on their combs, which helps prevent frostbite and lubricate the combs and keep them warm.

Other than that, there are no known issues with the Delaware breed.

You can check out the video below if you’d like to see a live Delaware chicken.

Are Delaware Chickens Right for Your Homestead?

If you’re building a backyard flock or want a small addition to your homestead, the Delaware breed can be a good pick.

They are often recommended for small suburban homesteads that have a wide-open range since it helps promote a healthy mindset and also is good for plentiful egg production.

With the chicken’s temperament, they enjoy being around other animals, flock members, and humans.

They love to chatter amongst themselves and are very lively and social.

Putting them into an isolated area can cause them great distress, so if you’re planning on getting a few, you must get a small flock.

Besides that, they are good around children and other humans.

However, they benefit the most from being able to roam freely around your homestead.

In rural living, you should have plenty of open space, but we recommend them only in places with fences.

The Delaware chicken also loves being in a rich soil environment that provides them plenty of bugs.

They enjoy the chase and nutrition provided by worms, bugs, and other small critters.

Additionally, they prefer gardened areas where they have the chance to come into contact with multiple plant species.

Lastly, they are perfect for beginners or those wanting to expand their homesteads.

The only downside we’re aware of is that they will need to be supervised on how they mate, especially if you want them to reproduce.

If you’re not aiming for high-quality birds, though, then you can easily skip this step.

Delaware Chicken Breed

While the Delaware chicken may be a dying breed, we find that many homesteads can benefit from its production.

Small farms, other individual families, or those looking to build a successful homestead will enjoy their egg production.

Due to their genetics, they also mature quickly, which means quicker egg production and reproduction. 

As long as you have the drive to expand your rural life, these chickens are your best bet.

They include plumage, eggs, meat, and can even help with keeping the soil fertile.

Either way, you’ll find that they are a unique and fascinating chicken breed.

Last Updated on January 16th, 2020

When it comes to rural living, it’s important to understand that a viable food source is recommended. The Bantam chicken may be one of the most useful for those living in rural areas.

They are tiny chickens that don’t require much space to produce a wonderful harvest of fresh eggs.

They have a lovely disposition and are not fond of moving around.

This is ideal for those looking to work with small spaces or who don’t have the land to build a chicken coop width-wise.

The Bantam enjoys jumping up and down, which allows them to survive in small spaces as long as they can jump around.

Out of all the official homestead breeds, the Bantam is the most energetic and friendliest.

These chickens are bursting with personality and are very curious about their environment.

We want to provide you with quality information about the Bantam breed of chicken, so we will talk more about its characteristics.

History Bantam Chicken Breed

Explaining what a Bantam breed is can be a bit confusing because, unlike most chicken breeds, the word “Bantam” refers to its small stature, and not of its origin.

These small chickens don’t have a complete known origin, but the name was originally introduced back in the late 1800’s in Indonesia.

Sailors who would stop by the port city would refer to the chickens as being “Bantam” chicken due to being unique to the port city of Bantam, Indonesia.

After this, the breed had become popular in other suburban areas of the world for their small and convenient size.

There are three types of Bantam breed: True Bantams, Miniature Bantams, and Developed Bantams.

The True Bantams are naturally occurring in nature and are just small in stature.

The Miniaturized Bantams are bred from either a standard breed of choice or a specific small breed of chicken.

The last type, the Developed Bantams, is small breeds that have been genetically enhanced through humankind’s techniques.

After much genetic breeding, the true standard of Bantam was born and spread across the world.

The chicken generally does well in most warm climates, which makes it a favorite around the world.

However, it can be mixed with other breeds of chickens to help give them dominant traits.

We understand that it’s hard to keep up with Bantam. So, we’ve done our research and have provided a full list of most Bantam breeds.

Here’s a small breakdown of the popular ones:

• True Bantams
  • Nankin
  • Sebright
  • Tuzo
  • Rumpless
  • Rosecomb 
• Developed Bantams
  • Old English Game
  • Belgian Bearded
  • Pekin
  • Frizzle
  • Japanese
  • Booted
• Miniature Bantam
  • Light Sussex
  • Rhode Island Red
  • Maran
  • Australorp
  • Ancona
  • Araucana
  • Leghorn

As you can see, there are many different types of Bantam, which can be both good and bad.

Many of these allow for versatile breeding, but the genetic traits can be hard to pinpoint for the Developed and Miniature versions.

Bantam Chicken General Characteristics

With so many varieties, let us look into the characteristics that distinguish the Bantam breed in general.

Bantan Chicken Appearance

The appearance of Bantam can also be tough to explain due to their many genetic cross-breeds.

Some range from large birds with black or white specklings while others are brown and black.

Others result in crosses with warm-colored feathers such as white, cream, and red.

As you can see, they are very variable in genetics and looks.

The American Bantam Association has recently added over 400 different kinds of chickens to their Bantam Chicken Variety list.

This makes their appearance hard to describe.

That said, as mentioned earlier, what mainly distinguishes a Bantam breed is its small stature.

Many of the ones located in America are smaller than the standard size of chickens. These small Bantams weigh between 16 and 30 ounces and can be up to one half the size of a standard size six-pound chicken.

Some larger cross-breeds of Bantam, though, have started to become heavier.

The standard Bantam breed is either one third or three fourth the size smaller than the standard size breeds. This allows them to produce the same quality products without taking up much space.

With so many varieties, it should go without saying that these chickens can be used for plumage.

If you have multiple breeds of Bantam, you will essentially have plenty of different color varieties to choose from.

This can be good if you want to sell their feathers for some extra income.

Bantam Disposition and Behavior

As for the disposition of the Bantam breed, these chickens tend to be very friendly and overall have sweet temperaments.

They do well with other animals and are generally nice towards humans.

The roosters can be a bit aggressive towards each other and humans during mating seasons, but other than that, there are usually no problems.

Due to the large variety of the Bantam breed, we always recommend doing individualized research on the type you’re getting.

Genetics play a huge role when it comes to chicken temperament.

If you research the mixes accordingly, then you should have no problem in finding their individualized temperaments.

Many Bantam breeds are very agile and love to move around.

Physical activity is a must for these small, energetic chickens, so they need to be able to rustle their feathers and move around.

A majority of them enjoy flapping their wings and jumping around.

If you can provide a place for them to roam, they will gladly appreciate it.

Bantam Chicken Egg Laying Habits

Bantam eggs are smaller than the standard version of eggs.

This is, of course, due to the chicken’s smaller stature.

If we were to compare them to other breeds’ eggs, they would be around half the size.

Many Bantam breeds don’t start producing eggs until almost eight months into their lifespan.

Ones linked to standard breeds, they tend to produce larger eggs and also lay a bit sooner.

It varies from chicken to chicken, though.

On average, the Bantam hen will lay around four to five eggs every seven days.

Some of the Bantam get broody while others don’t. It’s highly dependent upon what parents the chickens had.

If they were sex-linked with two non-brooders, then you can expect non-brooding behaviors.

That being said, we recommend you to get an incubator just in case you plan on breeding them or using them as starter eggs.

Sex Linkage

Sex-linkage is very hard to pinpoint due to them having over 400 different mixes.

The True Bantams are either from Nankin, Sebright’s, or Rose Comb chicken breeds.

On the other hand, Miniaturized Bantams were genetically enhanced with one parent chicken.

The common breeds for this are the Rhode Island Red, Orpingtons, or even the Cochin breeds.

As for Developed Bantams, they range in sex-linked genetics and parents.

Pinpointing which breeds are used is nearly impossible.

Nonetheless, we’ve tracked some of the common ones which were used in other countries to create the Developed Bantams.

These breeds are either the Cochin, Japanese, or Belgian chickens.

Common Health Issues of Bantam Chickens

The lifespan of most Bantams ranges from four to five years if kept healthy.

Many of the Bantam breeds are susceptible to either mite and lice and other diseases, but many health-related issues are due to poorly kept coops rather than genetics.

To ensure that they have good health, you must have the best nutrition plan for chickens and provide a portion of decent food and water source while also keeping their coops clean.

They also need to be kept in a warm coop; otherwise, they can easily get sick.

Many Bantam pass away from unknown illnesses.

Even professional poultry management has a hard time identifying any symptoms.

This could likely be due to recessive genetics or birth defects that were undetected.

The video below also discusses differences between bantams and standard chickens.

Is It Right for Your Homestead?

If you’re looking for a small chicken that can produce a steady flow of eggs, then you will be pleasantly surprised with the Bantam breed.

But if you’re looking to have a high egg producer, you may want to skip out on this breed.

They are good for suburban areas due to their small size, but this also yields smaller eggs and less nutrition.

For a homestead, they can be good if you’re limited on land.

We believe, though, that the large variety of looks and temperament can be useful if you find a few varieties with ideal traits you’re looking for in chickens.

Their price point isn’t that bad either, which can come in handy for beginners.

Ameracauna Chickens

Best Bantam Chickens

The Bantam chicken range in genetic factors and temperaments.

It is ideal for small spaces or suburban areas, so if you’re limited on space or want to add a small chicken coop to your homestead, this breed can help you achieve those goals.

Overall, these are cheerful and energetic chickens that can brighten up any space.

With enough room, they can easily produce up to four to five eggs per week.

This is enough to support most families, but you will need to remember that the eggs are smaller than standard breeds.

When it comes to dealing with Bantam breeds, we’d have to recommend to do your research before purchasing any. Delaware Chicken

It’s important to understand what type of Bantam it is and what breed the parents were.

This will give you a better idea of how the chicken will act and if you’re providing it with the necessary care.

Last Updated on January 18th, 2020

Best Chicken Breeds – When it comes to building your backyard flock, it’s best to understand what chicken breeds are out there.

Whether you already have a flock or are planning on creating one, knowing the different breeds can help you find chickens that suit your lifestyle.

Multiple factors go into choosing which chicken breeds you need. 

Considering the climate, whether or not you want to pluck the chickens, or even use them as a meat source are all the questions you need to ask yourself.

It can be a difficult task and can become exhausting researching each type, especially with so many breeds to choose from.

That’s why we’ve taken the time to list the top ten breeds you’d want for rural living.

Each of these chickens is the best type we could find.

We will describe the different breeds and which ones are ideal based on climate, temperament, and production.

Best Chicken Breeds to Choose From

Ameraucana Chicken Breed

The Ameraucana chicken breed is one of the heartiest, easiest and most enjoyable chicken breeds to have in your yard.

It’s a relatively new breed, having been created a mere fifty years ago, but it’s rapidly becoming one of the most popular backyard pets for people who love fresh eggs and low maintenance chickens.

The Ameraucana chicken is an upgraded version of the Araucana breed, which was known for having a fatal genetic flaw that seriously injured their bloodlines.

The Ameraucana is an upgraded version that doesn’t have the genetic flaw but retains all of the positive aspects of the Araucana.

Ameraucanas are notable for their beautiful blue-hued eggs.

Although these eggs are arguably much prettier to look at than brown or white eggs, they are just as nutritious.

Ameraucanas are very robust and easy-going creatures.

They are also relatively small, weighing only about six pounds.

You won’t have to do much to keep your lovely Ameraucanas happy, but they do like a little bit more room in their chicken coops.

Additionally, most of them will only lay about four eggs a week, and many start laying later than other types of chickens.

Even so, most fans of this chicken breed will agree that the benefits far outweigh the downsides.

Compared to other types of breeds, Ameraucanas are easy chickens to raise and could even make excellent pets.

Expect to have your Ameraucana chicken for about eight years, although their laying will slow down substantially in their later life.

Overall, these animals are prized among those who know chicken breeds.

You can’t beat their temperament, and they are highly unlikely to attack any of your other pets or children.

Additionally, they are hardy animals with health genes, so the chicks are likely to survive.

Of course, they also lay the best eggs.

Australorp Chicken

The American Poultry Association has deemed that the standard includes a pure black aesthetic.

However, there are black, blue, and white mixes with additions of other colors.

It’s a heavyset bird that can weigh around eight pounds but includes soft, lightweight feathers.

The Australorp Chicken is one of the best beginner-friendly chickens and best chicken breeds you can find on the market.

Any homestead or rural home can benefit from keeping a small flock, especially since the breed has dual-purpose.

Their eggs and their meat are high in nutrition and can provide a steady income or food source for the breeders.

An Australorp can lay up to 250 brown eggs annually, which are medium-sized.

If placed in an area with less stress and a free-range setup, they can produce even more eggs.

That said, their food and water will need to be adjusted accordingly.

Their temperament is easy going, and they are generally friendly to everyone around them.

Unlike other breeds, they don’t possess any aggressiveness or bully each other.

This makes them one of our most recommended birds, as beginners will find them easy to raise.

Major Downside:

The only downside we’ve found with this breed is that they are genetically born to thrive in hot environments.

Nonetheless, they are still one of the most common and ideal breeds we can think of for a newcomer.

Easter Egger Chickens

The Easter Egger is one of the most favored backyard breeds of any homestead owner.

These vibrant birds can produce a high number of eggs within one year.

Over the course of one year, they can lay up to 200 eggs.

What’s more interesting is that the Easter Egger got its title due to laying a wide variety of egg colors, including blue, pink, and green-tinted eggs.

If you’re looking for a mass egg producer, you may want to skip this breed, though.

They may produce high-quality eggs, but they are slow to start and produce less than other breeds.

Their plumage comes in multiple colors and can be useful for other crafts, though.

Additionally, caring for an Easter Egger chicken is quite simple.

They have outgoing personalities and do well with other flocks.

Their friendly demeanor makes them ideal for farms or small nests.

That said, they need a rich environment to explore.

Having a yard or gated area for them to freely roam is recommended.

Their disposition is friendly, and they are very good with other animals, but they do have a tendency to get picked on.

If you’re mixing them with other types of animals, it’s suggested to keep a watchful eye on them.

Other breeders also seclude their coop and allow each chicken to have their personal space.

Major Downside:

While we didn’t find any major disadvantages to owning them, we can list a few issues.

First, they enjoy open space and a rich environment, which means you can’t keep them in confinement.

They also need to have proper nutrition for the eggs to turn out well.

This can easily be done by providing a proper diet and supplements.

Leghorn Chicken

If you’re looking for a flock that can mass produce eggs, then you can’t go wrong with the Leghorn…one of our favorite best chicken breeds.

These birds lay up to 280 white eggs annually and make a perfect addition to any rural dwellers.

The problem is that they are only well adjusted to warmer climates.

One chicken alone can provide up to five eggs a week, which is faster than most other breeds.

Additionally, they are also multi-purpose birds and can be used for plumage as well.

Their plumage ranges in color, but most of the breed has either cream, white, or silver feathers.

Leghorns are intelligent and active chickens that need adequate stimulation to keep them occupied.

They love climbing and jumping onto fixtures, even some nest in trees.

They are definitely not ideal for those who have neighbors, as the breed can be a bit noisy at times.

Other than that, they do tolerate confinement, but they will need things to keep them occupied.

Adding toys, tricks, treats, and activities for them to do inside a coop can help keep them happy.

They aren’t that fond of human contact, so it’s best to keep your distance.

Many Leghorns have different dispositions based on what their parent’s temperaments were like.

To help get a better idea, it’s best to know what breed their parents were and how they acted.

Major Downside:

The only downside that we’ve found to the breed is that they are extremely antisocial and skittish.

They don’t like being around other animals and don’t do well in a flock of mixed breeds.

If you’re expecting a pet-like chicken, then we highly recommend skipping this breed.

Delaware Chickens

The Delaware chicken is a dying breed that needs to be bred by more farmers.

They are beautiful white and blackbirds that produce both eggs and plumage.

This makes them a dual-purpose chicken and allows them to produce products weekly.

A Delaware chicken has beautiful white or silver feathers for its main body.

Their necks, wingtips, and tail have a mixture of grey and black feathers.

This gives them a pretty unique look and makes them stand out amongst other breeds.

Generally, a Delaware chicken can produce up to five eggs every week.

After a year, that number would total to be around 240 eggs.

While this is slower than some other breeds, the eggs are large and provide proper nutrition.

The temperament of the Delaware chicken is very calm and collected.

Compared to other breeds, they tend to get along with everyone and everything.

These birds are very curious and tend to enjoy having a rich environment.

If you’re going to coop them up, it’s recommended that you include toys and craft play spaces to keep their minds occupied.

Major Downside:

While Delaware chickens do well in cool climates, they do suffer from sensitive wattles and ear lobes.

If you’re planning on having them roam around outdoors in winter, it’s best to apply some vaseline.

This helps keep them warm and prevents their skin from chapping.

Bantam Chickens

The Bantam breed is an under-rated chicken that has over 400 different varieties.

The word “Bantam” refers to their small stature and ability to survive in small areas.

Of course, this also means that the eggs they produce are half the size of regular eggs.

Depending on which crossbreed you get, a Bantam bird is around one third smaller than a standard-sized chicken.

To put this in perspective, a standard chicken weighs around five pounds while a Bantam chicken can weigh 15 ounces.

Their small stature makes them ideal for those living not just in rural areas but also in urban areas or limited space.

Due to their friendly disposition, they can easily survive in either a confined area or small coop.

As long as they have enough space to flap their wings, they are generally happy.

Their disposition can be described as lovely and energetic.

Bantam chickens thrive off of social interactions with each other or their owners.

As long as you give them attention and adoration, they will continue to prosper.

Major Downside:

A major issue with this breed is that it’s hard to tell what their temperament and color will be if you don’t know about the parents.

With over 400 species of Bantam chicken, it can be challenging to find one that suits your needs.

Finding ones that have been bred for specific genetic traits is your best bet.

Rhode Island Reds Chicken

Rhode Island Reds are one of the most common breeds used in farms across the world.

They are known for producing a high yield of eggs every year and having beautiful brown plumage.

Due to their aggressive behavior, though, it’s not recommended for beginners to raise them.

They are prone to getting into fights with one another and can even pick on other animals.

If you’re going to attempt to raise them, you need to keep a careful eye on them so that they don’t act out.

While some Rhode Island Reds are bullies, others can be sweet and friendly.

The overall demeanor is very aggressive and independent.

They will walk around like they own the place and are known for being tricksters.

They are mainly territorial birds, so giving them their own space can greatly benefit animals around them.

As for their production rates, they tend to lay at least 300 eggs every year.

Weekly, you can expect them to lay five to six eggs every seven days.

These eggs are large and are light brown.

Other production includes using them as meat, and they don’t taste much different from your quality chicken at the supermarket.

Major Downside:

The only downside we’ve found with them is their behavior.

They can be extremely challenging for a beginner as you will need to train and prevent their aggressive attitude.

Once you have everything in control, it’s likely to become easier for you to manage.

Silkie Chickens

If you’re looking for chickens that have alluring appearances, the Silkie would be a good fit.

They are very popular due to their furry bodies and adorable demeanor.

They are commonly referred to as the teddy bear bird due to their fluffiness.

Silkies may be challenging for beginners because they are very skittish and may need protection.

Particularly, if you have multiple breeds of chickens, they will become susceptible to bullying.

Placing them in a secluded area can help prevent them from being picked on.

Silkies lay around three eggs every week, which is one of the slowest out of them all.

You’ll get around 120 eggs each year, and they are small in size.

Compare this to your standard, and you’ll find that it’s almost nothing compared to other breeds.

If you’re going to get a Silkie, it should be for their personality and appearance.

These birds are amazingly docile and get along well with humans and other pets.

They tend to enjoy being in environments where they can come into contact with humans.

They also make lovely pets and will even play with children.

Major Downside:

The only downside we’ve found to the breed is that they are susceptible to bullying.

Other than that, there aren’t any other issues.

Their thick fur-like coat helps protect them in winter environments but may cause them to overheat if placed in a warm climate.

If placed into a warm climate, you must give them proper shade to hide from the sun.

Sussex Chickens

An easy-going breed that is suitable for beginners is the Sussex chicken.

They are dual-purpose and yield a high amount of eggs every year.

If you’re looking for a snappy bird that is both easy to control and comes in variable colors, then the Sussex is for you.

For production, the bird can produce up to 250 eggs each year.

This is around the average number that other chicken breeds can produce.

The main difference is that these birds can be used as a food source.

They are highly nutritional and can provide a steady source of meat for your family.

Their disposition is generally easy to handle, and they are rarely very active.

Breeders describe them as confident yet friendly.

They love to forage and explore, which makes them ideal for those looking to give them plenty of space.

Gardens and other greenery outdoors makes the perfect environment for this breed.

Overall, the Sussex is low maintenance birds and don’t require much effort to take care of.

They don’t need any supplements, special handling, or treatments.

This makes them ideal for first-time farmers or those looking to build a backyard coop.

That said, they can be susceptible to parasites, so it’s recommended to clean the coop when necessary.

Major Downside:

The only major downside we’ve been able to find is that they won’t produce a standard breed until paired with similar sex-linked roosters.

If not, you won’t have starter chickens that have the same genetics as their parents.

Instead, they will lose out and most likely have a whole host of health issues.

Plymouth Rock Chickens

Amongst all the heritage farm breeds, the Plymouth Rock chicken is the most popular.

They are known for having a zebra-like pattern and color scheme.

Their first known trait, though, is that they have a calm demeanor and are perfect for those looking to expand their flock.

For production, the breed can produce up to 280 brown eggs annually.

To put this in perspective, most other breeds only reach 250 eggs every year.

If you’re not planning on using them for egg production, then they can also be used as a steady meat source.

The Plymouth Rock has a black and white barred feather look.

The barred colors are different between males and females.

It also has a large body and is one of the more robust chickens.

The females weigh around five pounds while males can get up to nine pounds.

As for their disposition, they are known for being friendly around other animals and people.

They make excellent pets and even welcome young children.

If you’re looking for a hen that can be more like a house pet, then you will definitely love the Plymouth Rock chicken.

Major Downside:

The only downside we’ve been able to find about them is that they are chatty.

They aren’t as loud as other birds, but they do tend to chatter amongst themselves.

This won’t bother the neighbors, but it can be a bit irritating if you’re not used to hearing constant chatter.

BlackStar Chickens

The Blackstar chicken is one of the most popular hybrid and best chicken breeds on the market.

They have unique, vibrant colors in their feathers and come in either brown, orange, or black.

It’s only been recently that these chickens were added to the backyard chicken world.

Blackstars are medium-sized chickens that weigh around six pounds.

They have a single red comb.

Their plumage is striking and fluffy, with many thick feathers sticking out.

As for production, you can expect the Blackstar to produce up to five eggs per week.

That’s over 250 eggs over a year.

These birds also have plenty of beautiful and unique plumage that is perfect for picking.

Their disposition is a bit different from others.

While they enjoy being free-range, they also enjoy their own space.

They are overall quiet and don’t produce much noise at all.

The breed is friendly with humans, other animals, and children.

Additionally, they are very tame and will even cuddle with you.

Major Downside

The only downside to this breed is that they aren’t reliable broody types.

If you plan to mass-produce the Blackstar, then it’s important to choose and get a good incubator.

This can help you reliably produce more chickens without having to rely on them sitting their eggs.

How Do I Know Which Chicken Breed Is Best?

Since it can be hard to narrow down the list even from the top ten we’ve mentioned, we’ll help walk you through how you can eliminate a few.

Here are some important considerations:

Climate

First, ask yourself what type of climate you’re going to be living in.

From there, eliminate breeds that don’t do well in hot or cold climates.

Purpose

After that, ask yourself what the main purpose is for your chicken production. 

Are you planning on breeding them as pets?

Or are you planning on using them for eggs and meat?

What about plumage?

If you can narrow it down to those three, it becomes more apparent on which chickens you’ll want.

Additionally, for a rural living, it’s important to understand how much a chicken can support you.

Their eggs provide a constant source of food, nutrition, and protein.

With just a few hens, you can easily produce enough eggs for your family weekly.

If you’re looking to make a profit, they will overall exceed the number of eggs sold than the cost of raising them.

If you’re not planning on using their eggs, you can always switch to either using their plumage or using them as livestock.

Either way, once you have a small backyard set up, you can easily sustain yourself.

Their eggs will hatch, and you’ll have more chickens without having to invest more money.

Experience and Space

Lastly, think about what experience you have and how much space you’re able to provide the chickens.

If you’re a novice, then it’s best to avoid breeds that are either too skittish or too aggressive.

Additionally, those that need more than a confined space will need to be supervised as they roam freely outdoors.

After answering those questions, you should be able to narrow down your list to at least two to three different choices.

Just remember, we listed the most common and easy-to-breed chickens on this list.

However, there are numerous other breeds out there that may work well with your homestead.

Best Chicken Breeds For Your Backyard

When it comes to choosing the best chicken breeds you want in your homestead, it’s best to consider it carefully.

Many breeds (Ameracauna Chickens) have different traits and provide various types of produce.

If anything, they can even make a great pet to have just to liven up your home.

Hopefully, you’ve found our article interesting, and we hope that we’ve helped you learn more about the types of chicken breeds out there.