Identifying Poultry Breeds

The first and most important decision a producer or backyard chicken raiser must make is the selection of the type of breed best suited for his requirements. Having a basic knowledge of poultry breeds makes it easier to recognize and understanding the characteristics of chickens for easier flock management.

The most common resource for any purebred chicken is to see if it is listed in the Standard of Perfection book. It lists breeds and varieties recognized by the American Poultry Association although breeds of foreign origin may not be listed like the Cornish Rock which is a crossbreed between the Cornish and White Rock breeds.

The most common characteristics of chickens that help identify their breed distinction are size, shape, color, feather pattern, and comb type.

Dual-Purpose Chickens

The chicken breeds usually seen in farms and backyards all over the world are chickens that produce both meat and eggs. Although some of these breeds are slightly better for either egg or meat production, they are normally called dual-purpose breeds.

Chicken Breeds

There are actually hundreds of domesticated chicken breeds all over the world some of which have distinct physical and behavioral characteristics due to cross-breeding and geographical factors.

Normally, a breed’s physical traits differentiate it from other chickens such as size, color of plumage, type of comb (style), color of skin color, number of toes, feathering, color of earlobes and eggs, and geographical origin. Furthermore, chicken breeds are categorized according to their principal use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes; some are also categorized as dual-purpose.

Chicks or Starter Pullets?

You have a choice of starting your flock with chicks or starter pullets (hens that have recently started laying eggs).

If you are really into chicken raising, you’ll love starting your flock with baby chicks; however, doing so requires that you give your flock considerable attention until they are full-grown hens.

Is Chicken Raising Right for You?

Despite the advantages of raising backyard chicken, the practice is still somewhat uncommon. Most people are simply not aware that aside from the healthy eggs and poultry meat chickens can provide their family on a regular basis, chickens are fun pets too that you can cuddle.

Chicken Raising Contributes to Environmental Care

Chickens naturally love to range freely. By letting them range freely, you get two very tangible benefits in return – they would gladly eat any garden pest they encounter and help you with your grass cutting chores as they love to eat grass as well. As an added bonus, they’ll turn all they have eaten in the form of organic fertilizer! All you have to do is sit down on the porch and watch them as they happily go about their daily routine. Most people are not aware that chickens can eat almost anything people can, even leftover foods. 

Why Raise Chickens?

Of all the animals that people can raise as pets, chickens are unique in the sense that they produce something edible compared to other pets like dogs, horses, cats and fish. In fact, raising chickens for pets pay off in the long run as they are a source of fresh meat and eggs unlike what you normally buy in the supermarket.