You’ve probably heard the age old quandary: what came first, the chicken or the egg; but have you ever stopped to think of just how many types of chickens there are in the world? There are hundreds of chicken breeds around the world.
The bird has been domesticated for thousands of years and the different breeds are usually distinguishable due to geographical isolation and selective breeding to create regional types of chickens that have distinct behavioral and physical traits.
The physical traits people look for when distinguishing between the different kind of chickens include the size of the bird, plumage color, comb type, their skin color, how many toes the bird has, the amount of feathers are on the bird, the egg color, and where the bird originates.
The birds are also categorized (roughly) whether they are best for egg production, meat production, or if they are best for ornamental purposes. There are some birds that are considered to fall into a combination of two categories.
When you’re in the grocery store, you may not even take into consideration about the types of hens that produces those lovely white (or brown) eggs. However, if you are a farmer or someone who wants to have fresh eggs at the ready, then you may be interested in the different types of hens that will lay the most eggs.
Here are the top 5 chicken breeds that produces the most eggs in a year:
As people become more aware of what they eat, they are more interested in eating meat that hasn’t had growth hormones pumped into them. That is why many folks will grow and raise their own food, namely chickens.
Here are the top 5 chicken breeds that are most known for their meat:
When it comes to the different types of chickens, there are bound to be some pretty rare and unusual breeds out there! Here are some of the rarest and most unusual chicken breeds that you could still raise in your backyard!
More and more people are interested in raising chickens. Some do it because they want a fresh supply of eggs whenever they want them. Some do it because they want to be more mindful of the food they eat and wish to avoid growth hormones and other chemicals that are used with commercial poultry.
All around the world, there are hundreds of different types of chicken breeds. Some are better for egg production, like the Sussex or Plymouth Rock. Some chickens are preferred for the quality of their meat, like the Cornish Cross and Jersey Giant. Then you have those beautiful rare breeds like the Dominique or the Sumatra that are just lovely to look at!
Whatever your reason for breeding chickens may be, you can be sure to find a particular type of chicken that suits your needs perfectly!