Country Chickens
Which breed of chicken is best for me?
There are more breeds of chickens than you can imagine! Some are giants, weighing as much as a small turkey; others weigh less
than a pound. They lay white eggs, brown eggs, colored eggs, dark brown eggs, and every color in between. Some are flighty non-setters,
others make good mothers and terrific pets. Be sure to choose the breed of chicken that will work best for you!
Information on Chicken Breeds
McMurray Hatchery - Pictures and descriptions of many breeds of chickens, ducks,
turkeys. Request a copy of their free catalog.
Oklahoma State University - breed information and pictures in alphabetical order.
John
Henderson at Ithica.edu maintains a chicken chart listing over 60 breeds and their characteristics.
MyPetChicken.com has
a nifty chicken selector tool.
Wikipedia offers information on 57 breeds of chickens.
Double R Supply has an easy-to-use chart
showing the characteristics
of various breeds of chickens, including weight and laying rates.
of various breeds of chickens, including weight and laying rates.
BackyardChickens - has a forum section
called "What breed or sex is this?" Members are happy to help you figure it out.
Quick Answers About Chicken Breeds
Chicken Anatomy
General
Questions
If you just want fresh eggs, you don't need a rooster. If you want to hatch chicks, or
have a hen do the work, a good ratio is one rooster for every every 10 hens.
Can I mix my new babies with an existing flock? This is not recommend. Chickens establish a pecking order within the flock; if you add babies they will become
an immediate target. Wait until the new poultry reaches maturity to mix them together.
What causes chicken to
peck each other?
Chickens are naturally cannibalistic and many factors can bring out that trait, including crowded conditions, boredom, and poor nutrition.
Chickens are naturally cannibalistic and many factors can bring out that trait, including crowded conditions, boredom, and poor nutrition.
When will my hens begin to lay?
Hens begin to lay when they're about 20 weeks old, although it varies from breed to breed and with the amount of daylight. Chickens need 14 or more hours or more of light per day to lay efficiently. This means you will need to apply artificial light during the winter months.
Hens begin to lay when they're about 20 weeks old, although it varies from breed to breed and with the amount of daylight. Chickens need 14 or more hours or more of light per day to lay efficiently. This means you will need to apply artificial light during the winter months.
What color eggs will my chicken
lay?
As a rule, you can tell what color egg a chicken will lay by the color of their earlobes. A chicken with white earlobes will lay white eggs. Earlobes of any other color means the chicken will lay a brown or colored egg.
As a rule, you can tell what color egg a chicken will lay by the color of their earlobes. A chicken with white earlobes will lay white eggs. Earlobes of any other color means the chicken will lay a brown or colored egg.
Copyright 2008, Kathy Hayward, Pivotal Force.
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.
PivotalForce@gmail.com
Chicken Trackin'
Easy accounting
for flock owners.
for flock owners.
Works just like a checkbook register.