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An information guide of the best chicken breeds available for for egg-laying and meat production with photos for your homestead and backyard.
TWO MAIN TYPES OF CHICKENS: Hybrids and Pure-Breds
There are so many types of chickens out there that it is understandably overwhelming when you first set out to get some backyard chickens. However, they can be broken down into 2 simple types:
1) Hybrid Chickens - The majority of commercial birds are of hybrid stock. Theses being a cross between a number of different breeds. They are hardy and less susceptible to diseases.
2) Pure Breeds - Many of these are of old breeds bred down through generations. They are ideal if you are going to exhibit your birds. Also ideal if you want to ensure the future of pure bred birds that have been bred for certain qualities that you will enjoy, whether it be for egg-laying or for meat production.
There is another type of chicken breed - Bantams which are in a class on their own, and ideal to keep when you don't have a lot of space as they are much smaller than the ones mentioned above. However, besides true bantams, there are also many large breeds of chickens which have been bred to become bantam chickens in size.
Of these hybrid and pure bred chickens there are those that are good for egg laying, those that are good table birds for meat production, and those that are dual-purpose; good for both eggs and meat.
CHICKEN BREEDS: BEST EGG LAYERS
 | LEGHORN These are probably the best layers around, besides the Rhode Island Breeds. They are prolific layers of white eggs. Very flightyGood foragers Rarely Broody |
 | RHODE ISLAND RED The Rhode Island Red Chickens are prolific layers of medium brown eggs. Dual Purpose BirdHardy Good Choice for Novice Breeder |
 | LIGHT SUSSEX The Sussex is an attractive little bird and makes a good all-round farm fowl. It is a good layer of cream eggs. Best Dual Purpose BirdGood Foragers Tend to go Broody |
 | ARAUCANA The Araucana is a South American bird that is rumpless and a large producer medium-sized blue/green eggs. |
 | PENEDESENCA The Penedesenca, once close to extinction but now only semi-rare. The Penedesenca has white ear lobes but lays deep red-brown eggs with a sheen to them. |
....MORE TO FOLLOW
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