Having chickens can be such a rewarding experience. Not only will you enjoy fresh eggs every morning but also learning their personalities and watching them scratch for bugs. With so many breeds to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one will work best for you. Here is a list of chicken breeds that check all the boxes for a good back yard chicken. These beginner chicken breeds are friendly, good egg layers, disease resistant and cold hardy.
Chickens are relatively low maintenance but they do require care. These chickens are good foragers, but will need supplemental grain and fresh water daily. There are many options for chicken coops. I strongly recommend a moveable coop because there is a lot less work to clean the coop and the chickens get access to grass. A stationary coop works also, but try to get in the habit of letting them out in the evening before sunset to forage. They will go back into the coop when it’s dark and spending time outside watching them is a pleasant way to end the day.
Five Best Beginner Chicken Breeds
- Orpington: Named after their place of origin, Orpington, Kent in England. They were bred as a dual purpose breed but soon became show birds. An adult chicken can weight between 6 to 7 1/2 pounds. Light brown is their most popular color, but they are also black, white and even a blue/green. They lay large brown eggs.
- Plymouth Rock: Named after its markings, which are similar to those seen in rocks. They were first bred in Massachusetts. At one time these were the most popular chickens in the United States. They lay large brown eggs.
- Australorp: First developed in Australia. They were bred from an Orpington, Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn and several other breeds. This breed is slightly smaller than Orpingtons and lay brown eggs.
- Brahma: This breed was first developed in the United States from birds imported from Shanghai, China. Brahmas were once grown exclusively for their meat. They are large birds (average of 10-12 pounds) and lay brown eggs. They do well laying eggs into the winter.
- Wyandotte: Named after the Wayandot people of North America. Also known as American Sebright. This breed was created in America and are popular show birds in Germany. They usually grow between 6-9 pounds and lay large brown eggs.
When buying chickens, make sure to get pullets (female chickens). Although these breeds were chosen for their docile traits, a rooster can be unpredictable. If you would still like to have a rooster, have no more than one per 12 hens. Having too many roosters is very unhealthy for your hens.
