List of chicken breeds

There are hundreds of chicken breeds in existence.[1] Domesticated for thousands of years, distinguishable breeds of chicken have been present since the combined factors of geographical isolation and selection for desired characteristics created regional types with distinct physical and behavioral traits passed on to their offspring.

Illustration of thirty-nine varieties of chicken (and one Guinea Fowl)

The physical traits used to distinguish chicken breeds are size, plumage color, comb type, skin color, number of toes, amount of feathering, egg color, and place of origin.[1] They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose.[1]

Difference between the sizes of a Brahma Blue rooster and a bantam rooster

In the 21st century, chickens are frequently bred according to predetermined breed standards set down by governing organizations. The first of such standards was the British Poultry Standard, which is still in publication today.[2][3] Other standards include the Standard of Perfection, the Australian Poultry Standard, and the standard of the American Bantam Association, which deals exclusively with bantam fowl.[3] Only some of the known breeds are included in these publications, and only those breeds are eligible to be shown competitively. There are additionally a few hybrid strains which are common in the poultry world, especially in large poultry farms. These types are first generation crosses of true breeds. Hybrids do not reliably pass on their features to their offspring, but are highly valued for their producing abilities.[1]


Table of contents

By place of origin: AfghanistanAlbaniaAustraliaAustriaBelgiumBrazilBulgariaCanadaChileChinaCroatiaCubaCzech RepublicEgyptFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranItalyJapanKoreaKosovoMalaysiaMyanmarNetherlandsNorwayPakistanPhilippinesPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSerbiaSlovakiaSloveniaSouth AfricaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandThailandTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomUnited StatesVietnam

By primary use: EggsMeatDual-purposeExhibition

Other: BantamsHybrids

See also   •    References   •    Sources

By place of origin

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Afghanistan

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Albania

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Australia

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Australian Australorp breed

Austria

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Belgium

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Belgian d'Everberg
ornamental bantam

Brazil

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Bulgaria

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Canada

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Chile

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China

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Silkie hen

Croatia

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Cuba

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Cyprus

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Czech Republic

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Egypt

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Finland

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France

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Germany

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The oldest German breed, the Bergische Kräher
(illustration by Jean Bungartz, 1885)
 
The longtailed Phoenix, a German breed derived from the Japanese Onagadori.
 
The auto-sexing Bielefelder, created in the 70s

Large breeds

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Bantams

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Greece

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Iceland

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India

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Aseel, a fighting breed

Indonesia

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  • Kedu (nationally standardized)
  • Sentul (nationally standardized)
  • Kokok Balenggek (nationally standardized)
  • Pelung (long-crower from West Java, locally standardized)

Iran

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Iranian Orloff breed

Italy

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Leghorn hen

Japan

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Korea

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Kosovo

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Malaysian serama

Malaysia

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Mariana Islands

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Myanmar

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Netherlands

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Norway

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Pakistan

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Philippines

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Poland

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Portugal

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Romania

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Two Styrian hens with rich tufts

Russia

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Serbia

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Slovakia

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Slovenia

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South Africa

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Spain

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Minorca rooster
 
A Cantabrian Pedresa rooster with no tail feathers

Sweden

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Switzerland

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The Appenzeller Spitzhauben, a rare Swiss crested breed

Taiwan

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Thailand

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Turkey

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Turkish Sultan breed

Ukraine

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United Kingdom

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A buff Orpington cock

United States of America

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Vietnam

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By primary use

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All chickens lay eggs, have edible meat, and possess a unique appearance. However, distinct breeds are the result of selective breeding to emphasize certain traits. Any breed may be used for general agricultural purposes, and all breeds are shown to some degree. But each chicken breed is known for a primary use.

Eggs

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Many breeds were selected and are used primarily for producing eggs, these are mostly light-weight birds whose hens do not go broody often.

Meat

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Most farms and homesteads use dual-purpose breeds for meat production. Some breeds are raised mainly for meat:

Dual-purpose

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dual-purpose Barred
Plymouth Rock
breed

The generalist breeds used in barnyards worldwide are adaptable utility birds good at producing both meat and eggs. Though some may be slightly better for one of these purposes, they are usually called dual-purpose breeds.

Exhibition

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Since the 19th century, poultry fancy, the breeding and competitive exhibition of poultry as a hobby, has grown to be a huge influence on chicken breeds. Many breeds have always been kept for ornamental purposes, and others have been shifted from their original use to become first and foremost exhibition fowl, even if they may retain some inherent utility. Since the sport of cockfighting has been outlawed in the developed world, most breeds first developed for this purpose, called game fowl, are now seen principally in the show ring rather than the cock pit as fighting cocks.

Key

U denotes a breed primarily used for exhibition, but which is still used for utility purposes.

G denotes a game breed.

 

Bantams

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Golden Sebright cockerel

Most large chicken breeds have a bantam counterpart, sometimes referred to as a miniature. Miniatures are usually one-fifth to one-quarter the size of the standard breed, but they are expected to exhibit all of the standard breed's characteristics. A true bantam has no large counterpart, and is naturally small. The true bantams include:

Crossbreeds

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Many common strains of crossbred chickens exist, but none breed true or are recognized by poultry breed standards; thus, though they are extremely common in flocks focusing on high productivity, crossbreeds do not technically meet the definition of a breed. Most crossbreed strains are sex linked, allowing for easy chick sexing.

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Czech language names Czech gold brindle chicken include Česká slepice zlatě kropenatá, Česká zlatá kropenka, and Češka.[11][12]
  2. ^ The original breed of bantam chicken is ancestor to all "bantam" breeds. It originated in Indonesia and there is called Ayam Kate.

References

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  2. ^ a b Ekarius (2007)
  3. ^ a b Heinrichs (2007)
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    "Domestic Animal Diversity Information System". Food and Agriculture Organization. United Nations. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
    see also Domestic Animal Diversity Information System
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    "Hühner 2011". Chickens 2011. Bund Deutscher Rassegeflügelzüchter (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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    "Listing of European poultry breeds and colours [for] 2013". entente-ee.com (in German). Archived from the original on 2013-06-16.
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    "Zwerghühner 2011". Dwarf chickens 2011. bdrg.de (media archive). Bund Deutscher Rassegeflügelzüchter (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-03-21. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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  23. ^ "Follidotes chicken". Arca-Net.info. Breed Atlas. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Kalamata chicken". Arca-Net.info. Breed Atlas. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Pomak fighting chicken". Arca-Net.info. Breed Atlas. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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  27. ^ "Trikala chicken". Arca-Net.info. Breed Atlas. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2023-09-01. local name Gyftokokoras ("gypsy chicken")
  28. ^ Percy (2006), p. 17
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    "Atlante delle razze * di polli" [Atlas of chicken breeds]. agraria.org (in Italian). Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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    "Hoenders en dwerghoenders". Chickens and dwarf chickens. Nederlandse Bond van Hoender, Dwerghoender, Sier- en Watervogelhouders (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2007-07-17. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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    Bejar, Feleciano R.; Baylon, Manuel J.; Fabillar, Jaime B.; Mante, Lagrito Ebert B.; Ultra, Arturo A.; Aquino, Reynaldo R.; Bejar, Elvie T. (2012). Management Practices and Morphological Characterization of Indigenous (Native) Chickens in Samar Province. searca.org (Report). Agriculture & Development Discussion Paper. Vol. 2012–3. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines: Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture. Archived from the original on 2014-06-15.
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  40. ^ Kobold, Primož (2017). "Primerjava proizvodnosti piščancev ross 308 in slovensko pozno operjene kokoši v pogojih ekološke reje" [Comparison of productivity of Ross 308 chickens vs. Slovenian late-plucked hens under organic farming conditions]. dk.um.si (in Slovenian). Maribor, SL: University of Maribor. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
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Sources

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Roberts, Victoria (2008). British Poultry Standards. Oxford, UK: Blackwell. ISBN 9781405156424. Complete specifications and judging points of all standardized breeds and varieties of poultry as compiled by the specialist breed clubs and recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain.