Henderson's
Handy Dandy
Chicken Chart

An Alphabetical List of More than 60 Chicken Breeds
With Comparative Information

Ameraucana

The chipmunky blue-egger.

Black, Blue, Blue-wheaten, Brown-red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, & White

Easter Eggers are common. Standard Ameraucanas are rare.

Standard:
5.5 lb/2.5 kg
Bantam:
1.6 lb/0.75 kg

APA (1984):
Large: All Other Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized

South American. May or may not be genetically related to the Araucana. One theory is that Ameraucanas were developed by crossing Aracaunas with other breeds. The more current, more accepted theory is that a different breed from Chile, the Quechua, was the parent stock from which the Ameraucanas were developed. Standardized & accepted into APA in 1984.

Note: whatever name they use, most hatcheries do not sell standard Ameraucanas, but sell Easter Eggers -- chickens that may lay blue, green, or other colored eggs, but do not conform to standard. Not a problem for backyard flocks.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; mostly calm, non-aggressive

Our Birds Ours have been mostly mongrel Easter Eggers. A few have been among the most curious & most easily handled birds we have owned. Others have been calm, non-aggressive, but stand-offish. None of ours has gone broody. We wouldn't have a flock without them.

Ancona

Almost a Leghorn.

Black mottled, only

APA (1898):
Large: Mediterranean Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Light

Developed in Italy in mid-19th century probably from Leghorns sporting mottled feathers. Once rivaled the Leghorn in Europe, but never caught on in North America, except in pockets of the Appalachians.

4-5/220-300
white to
light cream

medium to extra large

prefers free range; nervous & restless in confinement; flyer; active, flighty, marked wildness, avoids human contact

Our Birds: After many years, we have finally acquired some. We will soon find out how they do as part of our flock.

Andalusian

The original blue.

Blue (Black and Splash [White] used for breeding, but not recognized)

Developed in Spain & England in mid-19th century. Studied by Gregor Mendel in experiments in genetics & heredity.
Blue color does not breed true. Black & Splash (White) are necessary for breeding.

3-5/180-280
chalk to creamy white

extra large

semi-adaptable to confinement, but prefers free range; active, flighty, noisy, avoids human contact

Our Birds: Ours, obtained as adults, never fit in well with the rest of the flock & were nervous all the time. Our one cock crowed louder than any other we've ever had.

Appenzeller or Appenzell

The national breed of Switzerland.

Spitzhauben (Pointed Hood)
&
Barthuhner (Bearded)

APA: Not recognized
PC: Soft Feather Light

Developed in Switzerland centuries ago. The name is thought to derive from the lace bonnets of the Appenzeller region.

2-3/120-180
white

medium

Araucana or Rumpless Araucana

The rumpless, tufted blue-egger.

Black, White, Black Breasted Red, Blue, Buff, Silver

APA (1976):
Large: All Other Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Light, Rare

According to the latest theory I've seen, the breed was developed in Chile from a cross between the Collonca and the Queteros, two of several different blue egg-laying chicken breeds and introduced to North American in 1921. Likely that some "mongrelization" occurred before standardization. Standards differ from country to country, indicating that some different crosses and parent stock may have been involved in the development of the breed.

Note: no large North American hatchery, that I am aware of, sells Araucanas. Instead, whatever name they use, they are selling Easter Eggers -- chickens that may lay blue, green, or other colored eggs. For true Aracaunas, try some of the smaller farms and breeders.

small to medium

Australorp or
Black Australorp

The purported egg-laying champ from Oz

Black, only (standard); also blue & white

APA (1929):
Large: English Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Developed in 20th century in Australia, primarily from the Orpington. Gained notoriety when one hen in the 1920s laid a record 364 eggs in 365 days. In earlier "contests," a team of six Australorps averaged 309.5 eggs in a year. That individual performance has never been matched by subsequent Australorps. Not recommended if high egg production is your sole goal for getting chickens.

white skin,
dark shanks

well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, docile; more easily handled

Our Birds: Confession: we have both Black Orpingtons and Australorps, and I can't tell them apart. They are docile, but haven't been close to what some call "friendly."

Barnevelder

Double-laced, Blue-laced, White, Black, others

APA (2001):
Large: Continental
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Developed in late 19th century and early 20th century in Holland for dark egg laying. Developed from an older local variety that may date as early as the 12th century. In recent history, some strains have been bred for show and others for the darkness of their eggs.

As with all dark brown egg layers, individual differences are wide, and eggs become less dark over the laying season.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, docile

Our Birds: Ours fit in well with the flock, but shied away with human contact. Ours laid reddish brown eggs, but most were not especially dark. None currently in our flock, we will likely try them again.

Brahma

Light, Dark, Buff

APA (1874):
Large: Asiatic Bantam: Feather Legged
PC: Soft feather Heavy

Once the largest breed of chicken, the Brahman has some mysteries. Its origin has been in dispute for more than a century and a half. Introduced in mid-19th century (whether first to New York City or London is also in question). Probably imported from the port city of Shanghai, but may have originated in Chinda, India, or elsewhere in the East Indies. Another claim is that the breed was developed in the United States using Cochins, Malays, and Dorkings. For more information on the origins, see Lewis Wright's 1873 monograph on the Brahma fowl.

Before the name Brahma was settled on, they were also called Chittagongs, Shanghais (as were the Cochins), and Brahmapootras.

medium to large

adaptable to confinement or free range; mostly gentle; more easily handled.

Our Birds: Some hens were among the gentlest birds we've owned; one rooster became too aggressive toward humans and other chickens in his older age. Some hens ate a lot, got fat, and never laid that many eggs, and we do not currently have any in our flock.

Buckeye

Buckeye brown bird from the Buckeye state.

Nut brown, only

APA (1904):
Large: American
PC: Not recognized

Developed by Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio, in late 19th century to be a red-feathered, winter-hardy layer. Learning of the Rhode Island Red, she exchanged eggs and birds with RIR breeders to develop the Buckeye Red as a pea-combed variety of the Rhode Island Red. However, since the comb differed, the color was darker, and the genetics different, and because she was concerned that her birds would lose their distinctiveness as a variety of Rhode Island, she established the Buckeye as a separate breed -- Buckeyes and RIRs entered separately into the Standard of Perfection the same year, and pea-combed RIRs disappeared.

adaptable to confinement, very adaptable to free range; calm, docile; can be curious; more easily handled.

Our Birds: some have been among the "friendliest." Perhaps because of docileness, none have risen high in the pecking order. Our first Buckeye hens had low egg production, but more recent hens have been much better.

Buttercup or Sicilian Buttercup

Known for its comb.

Golden

APA (1918):
Large: Mediterranean
PC: Light, Rare

Originally developed in Dedham, Massachusetts, by C. Carroll Loring from stock purchased in Sicily by his neighbor a Captain Dawes, before 1860, perhaps as early as 1835. It took several generations longer for a standard color pattern to be developed and the breed to be accepted into the standard.

small to medium

does not do well in close confinement; very fidgety; active, flighty, wild even for a Mediterrean breed; avoids human contact

Our Birds: ours have been typically flighty and shy, but one has been as stubbornly broody as any hen we've raised. Email collaboration of broodiness elsewhere has inspired me to alter Brooding from "non-setter" to non-setter (mostly)

Campine

Beautiful bird with unique pencilling.

Golden, Silver

APA (1914):
Large: Continental Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft feather Light

May have ancient ancestry, but refined & further developed in Belgium in the 19th century and further developed by British and American breeders. The breed is closely related to the Braekel, a larger, bulkier Belgian breed that did not spread so widely. They share a similar penciling feather pattern, although the Campine cocks are more hen-feathered. Named for the Campine region of Belgium, known for its sandy plains, moors, heath, and wetlands. One theory is that it evolved there where a smaller, lighter more active bird was better adapted to forage over a flat desolate land. The Campine, however, may simply be a lighter bodied Braekel sport.

3-4/180-260
white

medium

economical eater; semi-adaptable to confinement, but prefers free range; flyer; alert, lively; can be curious; some are rather wild, others can be quite tolerant of humans

Our Birds: one hen free ranges even to lay eggs -- never in a standard nesting area. Our cock refused to be confined when we tried to initate a breeding program. Some have been "friendly" enough to eat out of a hand or be a garden companion. Our favorites among the white egg layers. In 2013, one of our flightiest Campines went secretly broody and hatched chicks from 14 of 15 eggs and settled down (if never quite calmly) to raise the chicks.

Catalana

The most popular breed of South America.

Buff

APA (1949):
Large: Mediterranean Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized

Developed in Spain in late 19th century as a meat & egg bird.

Chantecler

Canada's breed.

White, Buff, Partridge

APA (1921):
Large: American Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized

Developed by Brother Wilfred Chatalain of the Oka Agricultural Institute in Quebec over the course of of a decade beginning in 1908. The goal of his carefully documented breedings was an "ideal fowl" for Canada, good for both meat & eggs and, with small comb and wattles that would be able to stand the extreme cold. Brother Wilfred, who earned a doctorate in agronomy, was also responsible for developing the two flock method for breeding. Among the breeds used in the crosses were Cornish, Leghorn, Rhode Island, Wyandotte, and Plymouth Rock. Brother Wilfred's preferred plumage was white, and he was not responsible for developing the other varieties.

Dr. J. E. Wilkinson, also a Canadian, developed the Partridge Chantecler in the 1930s, but it is totally unrelated to the original White Chantecler. The Buff was developed by an American, Walter Franklin, in the 1980s.

bears confinement well; can be calm and docile or skittish.

Our Birds: our partridges have blended in so well they remained rather anonymous for a long time. One has been twice a successful mother hen. Frequent broodiness has been their most common trait.

Cochin

Big ball of fluff and feathers.

Buff, White, Black, & Partridge

APA (1874):
Large: Asiatic Bantam: Feather Legged
PC: Soft feather Heavy

Introduced from China in early 19th century. Originally known as the Shanghai (a name also used for the Brahma). The breed that launched interest in poultry shows in the nineteenth century. Pekins are recognized as a separate bantam breed in some countries, rather than as bantam Cochins.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, docile; more easily handled.

Our Birds: our only experience with Cochins has been with a buff rooster with a mysterious tale.

Cornish or Indian Game

White, Dark, White Laced, Red, Buff

APA (1893):
Large: English Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Hard Feather Heavy

Developed in Cornwall in 19th century. Now principally used commercially for cross breeding purposes for Cornish X Rock.

Crevecoeur

Is it beautiful and elegant, or just peculiar-looking?

Black

APA (1874):
Large: Continental Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Heavy, Rare

Developed in Normandy, during or before the 17th century. Believed to be the oldest of several breeds hailing from Normandy, and therefore most likely a forebearer of the others, including Houdans, Faverolles, and possibly La Fleche.

Named after the village of Crève-Coeur en Ange, which might be translated in English as Angel's Heartbreak

2-4/120-180
white

medium to large

Cubalaya

Cuba's fighting meat bird.

Black-Breasted Red, White, Black

APA (1939):
Large:All Other
PC: Not recognized

Developed in Cuba in 19th century from Phillipine or Indonesian stock.

1-2/90-120
white

small to medium

Delaware

A broiler cross that became a breed.

White [Columbian]

Uncommon

APA (1952):
Large: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized

Developed by George Ellis in 1940 in Delaware while experimenting with crossing breeds for broilers. An off-colored sport of a Barred Rock / New Hampshire cross that bred true.

Unknown in most of the world.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, docile.

Our Birds: Where ours have stood out has been for decent productivity of very large eggs.

Dominique
or Dominiker

Claimant to title "America's first breed."

Barred only

Standard:
5 lb/2.2 kg
Bantam:
1.5 lb/0.7 kg

APA (1874):
Large: American Bantam: Rose Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather
Heavy, Rare

Developed in New England in early 19th century. Not distinguished from the Barred Rock until APA Standards were developed. Most modern Dominiques may be traced to stock developed by A. Q. Carter after 1900.

Dorking

Very ancient, very English.

Silver Gray, White, Colored

Silver uncommon, all others rare

APA (1874):
Large: English Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft feather Heavy

Ancient; believed to have been introduced to England by Romans -- based primarily on a description by a Roman writer of a chicken with five toes. May have origins in Normandy, where other five-toed chicken landraces have been known.

adaptable to confinement or free range; calm; docile; stately or awkward; fattens easily; more easily handled

Our Birds: ours have varied from quiet & calm to flighty. Some hens have been very broody. Once they've reached maturity, our birds have been quite hardy. They are supposed to be oddly short-legged, but ours have only be slightly short-legged.

Faverolles

The French Poodle of chicken breeds.

Salmon, White

APA (1914):
Large: Continental Bantam: Feather Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Dual Purpose
Fancy:
Bearded & muffed
Feather footed, outside only
Five-Toed

Developed in Normandy in early 19th century. Named after the village of Faverolles. In France it was considered a utility breed. The US standard more closely matches the British exhibition standard of Faverolles which was developed in the late 19th century. Because of the different times and countries were the breed was developed, it is not clear what breeds were used, but Houdon and/or Crevecoeur, and local five-toed landraces are thought to have been its primary forebears. Dorking, Brahma, and Cochin were possibly used as well, especially in later developments.

early maturing

bears confinement well; alert; calm; very docile; genteel; prone to bullying by others, so may not do well in a mixed flock

Our Birds: our first Faverolles did not thrive well in the competition with mixed flock. We thought we wouldn't replace them, and didn't for a long time. When we finally did, the new birds had no trouble integrating into the flock.

Fayoumi or
Egyptian Fayoumi

Precocious scavenger and escape artist.

Gold & silver penciled

APA: Not recognized
PC: Soft feather Light

Ancient Egyptian origins; only recently spread to the rest of the world. Iowa State's Poultry Genetics Program imported them to the US after World War II for a study to disease resistance. It remained a "lab animal" for many years before it was promoted as an excellent layer. That claim, however, has since been disputed.

Hamburg or Hamburgh

The spritely, little "everyday layer."

Silver-Spangled, Golden-Spangled, Golden-Penciled, Silver-Penciled, White, Black

APA (1874):
Large: Continental Bantam: Rose Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Light

Developed in Holland (not Germany) before 1700, possibly before 1400; may be even more ancient. An undocumented legend is that the first ever poultry exhibition that did not involve a cock fight occurred in an English pub during the reign of King George III and featured only Pheasant Fowl cocks -- what we know as Hamburgs. Other historical names include Yorkshire Pheasants, Moonies, Crescents, Corals & Everlayers.

Decades before he wrote The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum both raised and wrote about Hamburgs.

3-4/150-180
low-gloss
white

small to medium

very economical eater; likes wide range; less tolerant of close confinement; high flyer; very flighty; spritely, active; mostly avoids human contact

Our Birds: ours have been very economical eaters, and in their prime laid well; even though smaller in size than most other hens, they have held their own in a mixed flock. One hen reached the age of 13 years. In her old age she became mellow enough to eat out of my hand every morning.

Holland or American Holland

The calm white-egger.

White & Barred

Very rare

APA (1949):
Large: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized

Established in 1949, after about 15 years of breeding experiments, as an improved Lamona, in other words, a yellow skinned meat bird that laid white eggs. The main improvement was it was heavier than the Lamona. One breed used had been imported from Holland, but other American breeds, including the Lamona, were mixed in as well.

There is speculation that White Hollands have faded out of existence.

2-4/120-180
white

medium

Houdan

The crested French bird with big eyes.

White, Mottled

APA (1874):
Large: Continental Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Heavy, Rare

Developed in Normandy before 1700, most likely from a cross of a local five-toed landrace and the Crevecoeur, but possibly Polish and Dorking were used in the breeding process.

2-3/120-150
white

small to medium

Jaerhon or Norwegian Jaerhon or Norske Jærhøne

Pride of Norway.

Dark Brown, Light Yellow

Standard:
3.5 lb/1.6 kg

APA:
Not recognized
PC: Not recognized

Developed around 1920 in Norway. First imported to North America in 1998.

3-4/180-220
white

large

adaptable to confinement, but prefers free range; active, flighty

Java

A good, old breed, like a fine cup of coffee.

Black, Mottled

APA (1874):
Large: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized

Developed in U.S. after being introduced from Java in 1835 or earlier. Peaked in popularity as early as the 1880s, but not before being used in the development of several other breeds.

2-3/120-150

medium brown

medium

Jersey Giant

The chicken world's largest breed.

Black, White

APA (1922):
Large: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Heavy, Rare

Developed near Jobstown, New Jersey, in the 1870s by John and Thomas Black. So the name reflects on both the name of the developers and for the original color of the breed. The brothers crossed several breeds, most likely Black Javas, Black Langshans, and Dark Brahmas. For many decades before WWII they were the bird of choice for heavy roasting capons.

My dad raised Jersey Black Giants when he was a young teenager.

because of size, not an economical eater; adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, gentle, more easily handled.

Our Birds: Our first hens, from a nationally known hatchery, never reached giant-sized porportions, but a cock and hens from a smaller supplier were as large as has been promoted. One gentle hen was among the easiest to pick up.

La Fleche

The devil bird.

Black, Blue, White, & Cuckoo

APA (1874):
Large: Continental Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Heavy, Rare

Dates back to France during or before the 17th century. It is unclear if it is older and a parent of the Crevecoeur, or if it worked the other way around.

3-4/180-220
tinted
white

medium to extra large

well adaptable to confinement or free range; active, flighty, avoids human contact.

Our Birds: Never fit in well with rest of flock, being somewhat bullied. Our remaining hen nests at night in a corner, instead of roosting.

Lakenvelder

Shadow on a sheet.

Black/white/black pattern.

APA (1939):
Large: Continental Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft feather Light

Developed in Germany in early 19th century. Golden Lakenvelders are not standard. Vorwerk is a bantam with the black/gold/black pattern.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; flyer; flighty, avoids human contact.

Our Birds: never sociable, but not easily startled, either.

Lamona

The rare, possibly extinct, yellow-skinned, red-ear-lobed, white-egg-laying table bird.

White

APA (1933):
Large: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Not recognized

Developed by Harry Lamon from 1912 to 1923 specifically to be a breed that laid white eggs but could serve as a meat bird as well. For the American market, it had to be yellow skinned. It is not clear how important to him developing a white egg layer with red ear lobes was, but that fact was well noted when the breed was first released.

n/a
white

medium?

n/a

Langshan

The long-legged, high-tailed, and feather-footed regal bird.

Black, White, & Blue.

APA (1883):
Large: Asiatic Bantam: Feather Legged
PC: Soft feather Heavy

Dual Purpose
[formerly Meat]
Fancy:
Feather Footed, outside only (some varieties are clean footed)

Introduced from China in mid-19th century. Major Croad introduced them to England & gave his name to an early variety of Langshans. In Europe & elsewhere, distinctions are made between Croad & Modern Langshans.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; active for their size; graceful; not as calm or docile as other large breeds

Our Birds: One rooster was very personable and had a lovely, deep crowing voice. We liked him better than the hens who have not stood out either in egg-laying nor personality.

Leghorn

The ultimate egg machine.

White, Dark Brown, Light Brown, Buff, Black, Silver, Red, Black-Tailed Red, Columbian

APA (1874):
Large: Mediterranean Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Light

Ancient, but greatly developed in 19th & 20th centuries. Honored by the Romans, and the white variety was reportedly developed for use in ceremony and foretelling the future. One of the most popular birds around the globe.

5-7/300-350
pearl
white
(non-white feathered varieties are less prolific.)

large to jumbo

economical eater; better adaptable to confinement then some Mediterranean; enjoys free range; flyer; flighty; spritely, noisy, nervous, usually avoids human contact.

Our Birds: Flighty does describe them pretty well, but they aren't without personality. One of our first white Leghorns would lead the pack in greeting us when we came home.

Marans

Known for one thing -- dark chocolate colored eggs.

Black Copper [APA], Cuckoo, and others

APA: (2011):
Large: Continental
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Layer
Feather Footed [US and French standard, but Clean Footed for English standard]

Developed in France in early 20th century, but a Marans-type bird is said to have begun as early as the 13th century. Imported to North America from both France, England, and elsewhere, post-WWII. Although the Cuckoo has been the most prominent variety, the Black Copper, for which there was clearer consensus for a standard, is the only variety currently recognized by the APA.

As with all dark brown egg layers, individual differences are wide, and eggs become less dark over the laying season.

varies widely by individual and strain.

Our Birds: Although "cuckoo" was meant to describe feather pattern, we thought it fit the personality as well. Not exactly wild, some have been very active and somewhat difficult to manage. Later cuckoos and black coppers have been quite calm. Only our black coppers have laid especially dark brown eggs.

Minorca

Largest Mediterranean

Black, White, Buff

APA (1888):
Large: Mediterranean Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Light

Developed in Spain. Whether it was named for Minorca in the Balearics Island or actually developed there is uncertain. Once known as the Red-faced Black Spanish. In Spain the name of breed is spelled Menorca, as is the island.

4-5/220-320
white

large to jumbo

Naked Neck or Transylvanian Naked Neck or Turken

No, it's not a turkey / chicken cross.

Black, White, Red, and Red are recognized by the APA, but other varieties include Blue and Cuckoo or Barred.

APA (1965):
Large: All Other Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Heavy, Rare

Originated before 1700 in the Transylvanian region of Central Europe that is now part of Romania. Further developed in Austria and Germany. The naked neck trait possibly came from game birds found in Madagascar. First shown in Vienna in 1875 by breeders from counties that are now part of Romania.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; active; calm, docile; more easily handled.

Our Birds: We worred about our hens getting sunburn, but they were fine. Very personable and good layers, but it took a while to take them seriously.

New Hampshire or New Hampshire Red

New Hampshire's answer to Rhode Island.

Light brownish red, only

Common

APA (1935):
Large: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Heavy, Rare

Developed in New Hamphire from the Rhode Island Red in early 20th century.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm; can be docile or aggressive; can be curious

Our Birds: a few have been among our favorites. Addled Adelaide was our first hen to raise a brood of chicks. She earned her name for appearing to be scatter-brained at times as a pullet, but when older could almost seem affectionate -- maybe she was just very hungry. Several enjoyed keeping close to us while gardening. Some have been aggressive in maintaining their position in the pecking order.

Orloff or Russian Orloff

Wild-looking thing

Red, White

APA: Not recognized (dropped from Continental)
PC: Heavy, Rare

Reportedly developed in Russia in 18th century from Persian stock. Once called Chlianskaia, current name probably derives from Count Orloff-Techesmensky, a Russian breeder

adapts to confinement; calm, but not docile, avoids human contact

Our Birds: Ours have fit in well with the flock, but haven't shown much personality other than being somewhat shy.

Orpington

Big gentle bird.

Buff, Black, Blue, White

APA (1902):
Large: English Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Originally developed by William Cook in Orpington (County Kent) the 1880s. Some varieties developed by his daughter.

adaptable to free range; very adaptable to confinement; docile; more easily handled; can be bullied

Our Birds: Ours have been docile enough, and some have fit pretty low in the pecking order, but none of ours have shown the "friendliness" that others have claimed for the breed.

Penedesenca

The dark egg layer that wears a crown

Crele, Partridge, Wheaten, Black

APA: Not recognized
PC: Not recognized

Rescued, or somewhat developed, from ancient stock in Catalan district of Spain in 20th century. Penedesenca Negra developed in 1980s.

Phoenix

Honorable long-tail.

Partridge; Silver Duckwing; White; other colors

APA (1965):
Large: All Other Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Light Rare (not recognized separately from Yokohama)

Developed in Europe and the U.S. from the Japanese long-tailed breed called the Onagadori.

Plymouth Rock

Once upon a time America's favorite breed.

Barred, White, Buff, Silver Penciled, Partridge, Columbian, Blue

APA (1874):
Large: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Developed in New England in 19th century.

Once common on the homestead, still popular in the backyard.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm, docile; more easily handled

Our Birds: ours have been good, solid, dependable birds that have blended in well with the flock, but have not stood out for good or bad reasons.

Polish or
Poland

Perhaps the oldest of the crested breeds.

Bearded & Beardless; Black, White, Golden, Silver, Buff Laced

Uncommon

APA (1874):
Large: Continental
Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Light

Originated in Europe, but probably not Poland, before the 16th century. Once known for good egg production, now almost strictly ornamental.

Redcap or Red Cap or Derbyshire Redcap

Think huge rose comb.

Red & black pattern, only

APA (1888):
Large: English Bantam: Rose Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft feather Light

Developed in Derbyshire.

2-4/180-240
white

small

hardy

Rhode Island

This is one solid chicken.

Rhode Island Red & Rhode Island White
(two separate breeds)

APA (1904/1922): Large: American Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Developed in New England in 19th century. Promoted as the world's most successful chicken breed.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; active, calm & fairly docile, can be aggressive (cocks are especially notorious)

Our Birds: we've had very limited experience, but the few hens we have had have been more aggressive than most other breeds.

Spanish, White-Faced Black Spanish, Spanish White Ear, or Clownface

Handsome, graceful, rare.

White-Faced Black only

APA (1874):
Large: Mediterranean Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Light, Rare

Oldest of the Mediterranean breeds, developed in Spain.

2-4/160-280
white

large to extra large

Sultan

All for show.

White, only

APA (1874):
Large: All Other Bantam: Feather Legged
PC: Light, Rare

Introduced from Turkey in mid-19th century.

Sussex

An old English favorite

Speckled, Red, Light

APA (1914):
Large: English Bantam: Single Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Developed in county of Sussex in early 19th century.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm; gentle; active; can be curious; more easily handled

Our Birds: sweet birds; among our favorites for personality. Among the easiest to catch. Some have been quiet, others talkative. Since the feathering of the speckled variety provides pretty good camouflage, we can recommend them for free range. A cockerel of ours once survived for 8 days out on his own.

Welsumer or Welsummer

Backyard bird with big brown eggs.

Red Partridge

APA (2001):
Large: Continental
PC: Soft Feather Light

Developed in Holland in the 20th century. "Welsummer" may be the accepted spelling in the United States, but a Netherlander has told me Welsumer is the correct spelling, meaning a resident of Welsum.

There is a rumor circulating around poultry circles that the Kellogg's cornflakes rooster is a Welsumer, but since Cornelius has always had a green body and multicolored tail, I see no resemblance.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; lively, but more docile than flighty.

Our Birds: Fit in well in a mixed flock: not aggressive, but not bullied either. None of ours have gone broody. Most have been docile. Most of our roosters have been gentle, but a couple have become bullies in later years.

Wyandotte

The "bird of curves."

Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Buff, Partridge, Silvered Penciled, Columbian

APA (1883):
Large: American Bantam: Rose Comb Clean Legged
PC: Soft Feather Heavy

Developed in New York State & Wisconsin in late 19th century.

well adaptable to confinement or free range; calm.

Our Birds: Most of ours have been docile, but some individuals have been aggressive. Most have been aloof in terms of human contact.

Yokohama

Elegant long-tail.

Red shouldered & white; White; other colors

APA:
Large: All Other Bantam: All Other Clean Legged
PC: Light Rare

Called Yokohama from the port of origin. Developed in Germany in the 19th century from the Japanese long-tailed breed called the Minohiki.

VARIETIES AND RELATED BREEDS

RARITY

CLASS AND TYPE

Class:

Type

EGG RATE

EGG COLOR

EGG SIZE

COMBS

BROODING

HARDINESS

BEHAVIOR

OUR BIRDS

This page authored and maintained by John R. Henderson (jhenderson@ithaca.edu), Sage Hen Farm, Lodi, NY.
The chart's original title was the ICYouSee Handy Dandy Chicken Chart.
Last modified on 20 April 2023.
All chicken portraits are by Diane Jacky and are used by permission.
Photograph of egg assortment (before they became chipotle scrambled eggs) by Kelda Brown.
Thanks to Heather Mericle for creating the pdf version of the chart. This webpage has been updated since it was created, however.
All original content on this site is the property of Sage Hen Farm and is protected by copyright laws, trademark and design rights.
All information formerly found on the Ithaca College server is now hosted here at
   http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html