Introduction
Raising chickens can be incredibly rewarding—whether you’re in it for farm-fresh eggs, high-quality meat, or simply the joy of keeping quirky backyard companions. But before diving into chicken keeping, it’s crucial to understand one thing: not all chicken breeds are created equal. Each breed comes with unique traits, temperaments, egg-laying capabilities, and climate preferences. That’s where this comprehensive chicken breeds chart with names comes in handy.
In this article, we’ll walk you through 25 of the most popular chicken breeds, categorized by their primary purpose, personality, care needs, and even egg color. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned poultry enthusiast, this guide will help you make informed decisions for a healthier, happier flock.
Image by Kerstin Riemer from Pixabay
Why Breed Matters
Choosing the right chicken breed is more than just picking a pretty bird. The breed you select impacts egg production, meat yield, temperament, climate tolerance, and overall care requirements. For example:
- Want more eggs? Go for high-yield layers like Leghorns or ISA Browns.
- Want friendly birds for kids? Consider Orpingtons or Silkies.
- Need hardy birds for cold climates? Try Brahmas or Wyandottes.
Selecting the correct breed ensures your chickens thrive in your specific environment and meet your homesteading goals.
Chicken Breed Categories
Let’s break down the main categories of chicken breeds:
1. Layers
Specialized for egg production. They lay consistently, often producing 250–320 eggs per year.
2. Meat Breeds
These grow quickly and are often larger-bodied. Raised primarily for harvesting.
3. Dual-Purpose
Balanced for both eggs and meat. Ideal for small homesteads.
4. Ornamental & Bantam
Usually smaller, beautiful, and kept for aesthetic or show purposes. Bantams are miniatures and often have docile temperaments.
Layers: Top Egg-Laying Breeds
If you’re in it for fresh eggs daily, these breeds are your best bet:
| Breed | Egg Yield (Yearly) | Egg Color | Personality |
| ISA Brown | 300–320 | Brown | Calm, friendly |
| Leghorn | 280–320 | White | Energetic, alert |
| Golden Comet | 280–300 | Brown | Easy-going |
| Australorp | 250–280 | Light brown | Hardy, gentle |
| Rhode Island Red | 250–300 | Brown | Tough, productive |
These breeds are great for maximizing egg production while being relatively easy to care for.
Meat Breeds: Best for Harvesting
Meat breeds are bred for fast growth and large body mass. Here are a few top choices:
| Breed | Growth Rate | Weight (Adult) | Temperament |
| Cornish Cross | Fast | 8–12 lbs | Docile |
| Jersey Giant | Moderate | 10–13 lbs | Calm, gentle |
| Bresse | Moderate | 6–7 lbs | Active, smart |
| Freedom Ranger | Fast | 6–8 lbs | Robust, friendly |
If you’re planning to process your chickens for meat, these are the breeds that’ll give you the best return.
Dual-Purpose Breeds
Dual-purpose chickens are a homesteader’s dream—offering a balance of egg production and meat potential.
| Breed | Egg Yield | Meat Yield | Temperament |
| Plymouth Rock | 200–280 | Good | Friendly, hardy |
| Sussex | 250–275 | Moderate | Curious, active |
| Orpington | 200–250 | Excellent | Very docile |
| Wyandotte | 200–240 | Good | Cold-hardy, calm |
These birds adapt well to various climates and are excellent choices for small backyard flocks.
Ornamental & Bantam Breeds
While they may not be egg or meat champions, these breeds win in looks and charm:
| Breed | Size | Eggs/Year | Egg Color | Notable Trait |
| Silkie | Bantam | 100–120 | Cream | Fluffy feathers, calm |
| Polish | Standard | 150–200 | White | Fancy crest, quirky |
| Sebright | Bantam | 60–100 | White | Laced plumage |
| Phoenix | Standard | 100–150 | Cream | Long tail feathers |
Ornamental breeds are perfect for shows or as low-maintenance backyard companions.
Chicken Breeds Chart with Names
Here’s a quick reference chicken breeds chart with names, categories, and features:
| Breed Name | Category | Egg Yield | Egg Color | Climate Tolerance | Temperament |
| ISA Brown | Layer | 320 | Brown | All-round | Friendly |
| Leghorn | Layer | 300 | White | Warm/Moderate | Active |
| Cornish Cross | Meat | N/A | N/A | Moderate | Calm |
| Plymouth Rock | Dual-purpose | 280 | Brown | Cold-hardy | Gentle |
| Silkie | Ornamental | 100 | Cream | Moderate | Very docile |
| Orpington | Dual-purpose | 250 | Light brown | All-round | Quiet, cuddly |
Top 25 Chicken Breeds: Traits, Temperament & Ideal Uses
Here’s a deep dive into the 25 most popular chicken breeds, organized to help you choose the right fit for your climate, goals, and experience level. Whether you’re building your first coop or scaling up your flock, these profiles include key details on egg production, size, friendliness, and purpose.
1. ISA Brown
- Category: Layer
- Eggs/year: 300–320
- Egg Color: Light brown
- Temperament: Friendly, sociable
- Climate Suitability: All climates
- Ideal for: Beginners, urban coops
These prolific layers are hardy, low-maintenance, and gentle around kids.
2. Leghorn
- Category: Layer
- Eggs/year: 280–320
- Egg Color: White
- Temperament: Active, independent
- Climate Suitability: Warm to temperate
- Ideal for: High-volume egg production
Leghorns are energy-efficient layers but can be flighty if not handled regularly.
3. Rhode Island Red
- Category: Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 250–300
- Egg Color: Brown
- Temperament: Hardy, assertive
- Climate Suitability: Cold and moderate
- Ideal for: Rugged environments and consistent egg yield
They’re known for toughness and excellent productivity.
4. Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)
- Category: Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 200–280
- Egg Color: Brown
- Temperament: Friendly, calm
- Climate Suitability: Cold-hardy
- Ideal for: Family farms and beginner flocks
Gentle and docile, they integrate well in mixed flocks.
5. Australorp
- Category: Layer
- Eggs/year: 250–280
- Egg Color: Light brown
- Temperament: Calm, quiet
- Climate Suitability: Cold-tolerant
- Ideal for: Quiet backyard settings
Australorps are excellent winter layers with a lovely black-green sheen.
6. Golden Comet
- Category: Layer
- Eggs/year: 280–300
- Egg Color: Brown
- Temperament: Gentle, reliable
- Climate Suitability: Versatile
- Ideal for: Backyard coops
Great for beginners seeking egg consistency with low fuss.
7. Orpington
- Category: Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 200–250
- Egg Color: Light brown
- Temperament: Extremely docile
- Climate Suitability: Cold-friendly
- Ideal for: Families with children
This fluffy, cuddly breed is a backyard favorite.
8. Sussex
- Category: Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 250–275
- Egg Color: Cream/light brown
- Temperament: Inquisitive, social
- Climate Suitability: All-round
- Ideal for: Active coops with space
They’re friendly and excellent foragers.
9. Wyandotte
- Category: Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 200–240
- Egg Color: Brown
- Temperament: Balanced
- Climate Suitability: Cold-hardy
- Ideal for: Northern climates
They’re striking birds with lace-like feather patterns.
10. Cornish Cross
- Category: Meat
- Eggs/year: N/A
- Egg Color: N/A
- Temperament: Passive
- Climate Suitability: Moderate
- Ideal for: Fast meat production
This hybrid grows exceptionally fast and is used in commercial meat operations.
11. Freedom Ranger
- Category: Meat
- Eggs/year: Minimal
- Egg Color: Brown (if any)
- Temperament: Active
- Climate Suitability: All
- Ideal for: Organic or free-range meat production
Slower-growing but more flavorful meat than Cornish Cross.
12. Jersey Giant
- Category: Meat
- Eggs/year: 150–200
- Egg Color: Brown
- Temperament: Calm
- Climate Suitability: Cold
- Ideal for: Heavyweight meat flocks
They’re among the largest chicken breeds—very gentle giants.
13. Bresse
- Category: Meat (Gourmet)
- Eggs/year: 160–180
- Egg Color: Cream
- Temperament: Lively
- Climate Suitability: Moderate
- Ideal for: Gourmet meat markets
Highly prized for their tender texture and marbled fat.
14. Silkie
- Category: Ornamental/Bantam
- Eggs/year: 100–120
- Egg Color: Cream
- Temperament: Docile, cuddly
- Climate Suitability: Moderate
- Ideal for: Children, hobby keepers
Known for soft, fur-like feathers and broodiness.
15. Polish
- Category: Ornamental
- Eggs/year: 150–200
- Egg Color: White
- Temperament: Quirky, nervous
- Climate Suitability: Warm
- Ideal for: Exhibition and light laying
Their crest feathers give them a comical, regal appearance.
16. Sebright
- Category: Bantam
- Eggs/year: 60–100
- Egg Color: White
- Temperament: Active
- Climate Suitability: Moderate
- Ideal for: Show birds and collectors
Beautiful lacing and tiny stature.
17. Cochin
- Category: Ornamental/Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 150–180
- Egg Color: Brown
- Temperament: Fluffy and calm
- Climate Suitability: Cold
- Ideal for: Pet-like companions
Feathered legs and round shape make them adorable.
18. Easter Egger
- Category: Layer (Hybrid)
- Eggs/year: 200–250
- Egg Color: Blue, green, olive
- Temperament: Playful
- Climate Suitability: All
- Ideal for: Egg color diversity
They don’t breed true but are favorites for rainbow eggs.
Image by Reijo Telaranta from Pixabay
19. Ameraucana
- Category: Layer
- Eggs/year: 180–220
- Egg Color: Blue
- Temperament: Calm, curious
- Climate Suitability: All
- Ideal for: Cold weather + colorful eggs
Their muffs and beards give them a fluffy face look.
20. Marans
- Category: Layer
- Eggs/year: 150–200
- Egg Color: Dark brown
- Temperament: Reserved
- Climate Suitability: Moderate
- Ideal for: Egg color collectors
Chocolate-colored eggs are their claim to fame.
21. Buckeye
- Category: Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 180–200
- Egg Color: Brown
- Temperament: Calm, confident
- Climate Suitability: Cold
- Ideal for: Harsh climates
The only American breed developed by a woman.
22. Delaware
- Category: Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 200–280
- Egg Color: Brown
- Temperament: Friendly
- Climate Suitability: Moderate
- Ideal for: Small homesteads
They mature quickly and integrate well into mixed flocks.
23. Faverolles
- Category: Dual-purpose
- Eggs/year: 200–240
- Egg Color: Light brown
- Temperament: Sweet, shy
- Climate Suitability: Cool
- Ideal for: Families and cold regions
They have feathered legs and a fifth toe.
24. Phoenix
- Category: Ornamental
- Eggs/year: 100–150
- Egg Color: Cream
- Temperament: Active
- Climate Suitability: Warm
- Ideal for: Exhibition
Their long, flowing tails are show-stoppers.
25. Olive Egger
- Category: Layer (Hybrid)
- Eggs/year: 180–220
- Egg Color: Olive green
- Temperament: Varies
- Climate Suitability: Varies
- Ideal for: Egg basket color diversity
Hybrids created by crossing blue and brown egg layers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Before wrapping up, here are some key FAQs to address the most common concerns when selecting and raising different chicken breeds:
1. What is the best chicken breed for beginners?
For beginners, the Orpington, Plymouth Rock, and Australorp are top picks. They’re docile, hardy, and easy to care for, making them perfect for new chicken keepers who want friendly birds that tolerate handling and variable conditions.
2. Which chicken breeds lay the most eggs per year?
High-performing egg layers include:
- ISA Browns (300–320 eggs/year)
- Leghorns (280–320 eggs/year)
- Golden Comets (280–300 eggs/year)
These breeds are optimized for egg production and ideal for anyone prioritizing volume.
3. Which breeds are the quietest and best for urban settings?
Quiet and coop-friendly breeds include:
- Australorp
- Cochin
- Silkie
- Orpington
These breeds tend to be less vocal and have gentle temperaments—ideal for neighborhoods with noise considerations.
4. What chicken breeds lay blue, green, or dark brown eggs?
- Blue Eggs: Ameraucana, Araucana
- Green Eggs: Olive Egger, Easter Egger
- Dark Brown Eggs: Marans, Welsummer
These breeds are perfect for those who want a colorful egg basket.
5. Are there cold-hardy chicken breeds?
Yes. Breeds like Wyandotte, Orpington, Australorp, Rhode Island Red, and Jersey Giant are built for colder climates. They have dense plumage and smaller combs, making them less prone to frostbite.
6. Can different breeds live together in the same coop?
Absolutely—as long as the flock is introduced properly. Choose breeds with similar temperaments and sizes to minimize bullying. Avoid mixing very small ornamental bantams with aggressive or much larger breeds. Provide enough space and resources to reduce competition.
Conclusion
Choosing the right chickens is key to a thriving and productive flock. With this chicken breeds chart with names, you now have a detailed breakdown of the top 25 breeds, from high-output layers and dual-purpose champions to show-stopping ornamentals and unique egg producers. Whether you’re a backyard hobbyist or a serious homesteader, matching your environment and goals to the right breed(s) will make all the difference. Consider temperament, climate adaptability, egg color preferences, and care needs to curate a flock that’s just right for you.
