An Awesome List of Different Types of Chickens With Pictures, Animal Sake

Chickens are one of the most popular domesticated animals in the world. There are so many different breeds, some are kept for eggs, some for meat, some as pets, and some just for their spectacular looks!

Chickens are one of the most common types of bird in tropical countries, after crows and sparrows. Different breeds are found all around the world. At the most basic level, chickens fall into three categories:

Pure breeds
Egg-laying hybrids
Mixed hybrids

They are a major source of food, both for their eggs and their meat. Egg-laying breeds are bred to produce as many eggs as possible. Because their bodies stay small, though, they are not very good for meat.

Can Different Kinds of Chickens Breed Together?

Chickens bred for eating are hybrids, a mix of two or more different breeds. They have more body mass, which means more meat. Dual-purpose chickens, as the name suggests, are used for both eggs and meat. In this group, some breeds are better egg layers and some give better meat.

What are the Different Types of Chickens?

Rhode Island Red

This breed comes in two comb styles: single comb and rose comb. Rhode Island Reds generally weigh between six and a half pounds and eight and a half pounds. Their feathers are yellow and their eggshells are brown. It is a dual-purpose breed, good for both eggs and meat. They come from Rhode Island, and that state gives them their name as well as their rich, dark color and sturdy build.

Dorking

The Dorking is famous for its excellent quality meat. It comes in three varieties: silver-gray, white, and colored. The standard weight is about six pounds, and both its feathers and eggshells are white. Most people believe the breed started in Italy and was brought to England by the Romans. Dorkings have a square-shaped body and short legs.

Cornish

The Cornish is one of the top breeds for the meat and broiler industry. It has a powerful, muscular build. The feathers are yellow and the eggshells are brown. Cornish chickens come in four varieties (dark, white, white-laced, and buff) and weigh around ten pounds. The breed was developed in the county of Cornwall, England, and needs extra shelter during cold winters.

Jersey Giant

This large breed from the United States was originally bred to replace the turkey as a meat source. It is recognized by the American Standard of Perfection. Jersey Giants are very friendly and do well as pets, they enjoy being around people. However, the males can be aggressive.

Wyandotte

The Wyandotte is a calm, docile breed. These medium-sized birds have a rose comb and clean legs. They can live happily on free-range farms or in a confined space. Wyandottes are also very vocal and friendly towards people.

You can also find the strikingly patterned Ameraucana chicken, another popular dual-purpose breed with a unique appearance.

Sultan

The Sultan comes from Turkey. Sultans are kept mainly as ornamental breeds and for competitive showing, not for eggs or meat. They have beautiful, showy feathers and five toes on each foot, most chickens only have four! Sultans are docile and friendly, and they adapt well to living in a confined space.

Langshan

Langshans come in white and black varieties. They are tall birds with long legs and flowing tails, and they are known for being very active and energetic. The standard weight ranges from seven and a half pounds to nine and a half pounds. Their feathers are white and their eggshells are brown. This breed is preferred for meat rather than eggs, and it originated in China.

Appenzeller

The Appenzeller comes from the Appenzell region of Switzerland. There are two varieties: the Spitzhauben and the Barthuhner. The Appenzeller is mainly kept as a show breed for its striking appearance. It is not a fighting breed and does well living in confinement.

Types of Chicken Breeds

Beyond the breeds above, here is a gallery of other popular varieties, each with its own unique look and personality.

Sussex chicken — Sussex, calm, curious, and a fantastic layer of cream eggs

Buff Laced Polish Rooster chicken — Buff Laced Polish Rooster, famous for its dramatic feather crest

Silver Laced Wyandotte chicken — Silver Laced Wyandotte, each feather edged in silver, making a stunning pattern

Buff Rock Rooster chicken — Buff Rock Rooster, golden-buff feathers, a classic American heritage breed

Prairie Chicken, a wild North American grouse, not a domestic breed

Australian Australorp chicken — Australian Australorp, holds the world record for most eggs in a year

Silkie chicken — Silkie, its fur-like feathers lack barbicels, making it impossibly fluffy

Take the Chicken Breeds Quiz!

5 quick questions. How well do you know your chicken breeds?

Even More Breeds

There are hundreds more breeds beyond the ones covered here! Some well-known examples include the Campine, Catalana, Cochin, Brahma, Araucana, Aseel, Blue Hen of Delaware, Lamona, Asturian Painted Hen, and the Kosova Long Crowing Rooster. As you can see, there is far more to chickens than just meat and eggs, next time you spot one, see if you can guess its breed!

Glossary: Chicken Breed Terms

Term	What it means
Pure breed	A breed that breeds true, the offspring reliably look and behave like their parents because the gene pool is kept consistent.
Hybrid	A cross between two or more different breeds, often produced to combine the best traits of each, like the meat size of one and the egg-laying rate of another.
Dual-purpose breed	A breed raised for both egg production and meat, making it a practical choice for small farms and backyard keepers.
Rose comb	A flat, broad comb that sits low on the chicken's head, better suited to cold climates than tall upright combs, as it is less prone to frostbite.
Ornamental breed	A breed kept primarily for its appearance rather than egg or meat production, often shown at poultry competitions.
Broiler	A chicken specifically bred for fast growth and meat production, typically reaching market weight in 6-8 weeks.