There are hundreds of chicken breeds in existence. 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.
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. They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose.
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. 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. 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.
__NOTOC__ Table of contentsBy place of origin: Afghanistan • Albania • Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • Chile • China • Croatia • Cuba • Czech Republic • Egypt • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Iceland • India • Indonesia • Iran • Italy • Japan • Korea • Kosovo • Malaysia • Myanmar • Netherlands • Norway • Pakistan • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Thailand • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • United States • VietnamBy primary use: Eggs • Meat • Dual-purpose • Exhibition Other: Bantams • HybridsSee also • References • Sources
By place of origin
Afghanistan
Ingriido Khasaki Kulangi Pusty Sabzwari
Albania
Commune hen Black Tropoja Lekbibaj Tirana Tropoja Pac Yerevanian
Australia Australorp Australian Langshan Australian Game Australian Pit Game
Austria
Altsteirer Sulmtaler
Belgium
Brazil
Índio Gigante
Bulgaria
Black Shumen Starozagorska Red
Canada
Chantecler Red Shaver
Chile
Araucana
China
Breeds listed in DAD-IS:
Croatia
Hrvatica (Croatian Hen, Kokoš Hrvatica) Međimurska kokoš (Međimurje Chicken, Međimurje Hen)
Cuba
Cubalaya
Cyprus Cypriot chicken
Czech Republic
Czech gold brindle chicken Šumava chicken or Šumavanka
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Large breeds
Bantam breeds
Greece
Iceland Icelandic chicken
India
Indonesia
Iran
Manx Rumpy (or Rumpless Game) Orloff Black Azerbaijan (or Marandi)
Italy
Japan
Korea Chunggye Jangmigye Korean Native chicken
Kosovo Kosova Long-crowing (also called Tringjyrshet Kosov)
Malaysia Kampung Malay Serama
Mariana Islands Saipan Jungle Fowl
Myanmar Burmese Pama Game
Netherlands
Norway Norwegian Jærhøne
Pakistan
Asil (or Aseel) Sindhi Misri Lyallpur Silver black
Philippines
Banaba Bolinao Camarines Darag Paraoakan or Parawakan
Poland
Polbar Zielononóżka Kuropatwiana (Green-legged Partridge) Polish chicken
Portugal
Amarela Preta Lusitânica Pedrês Portuguesa Branca
Hungary
Transylvanian Black Naked-neck Transylvanian White Naked-neck Transylvanian Hemp-spangled Naked-neck Yellow Hungarian chicken White Hungarian chicken Prisoner color Hungarian chicken Hemp-spangled Hungarian chicken Palóc naked-neck chicken Krédli chicken Baranya landrace chicken Mecseki Zengő chicken
Russia
Russian Orloff Yurlov Crower
Serbia
Banat Naked-neck (Banatski gološijan) Sombor Kaporka (Somborska kaporka) Svrljig Black (Svrljiška kokoš)
Slovakia
Oravka
Slovenia
Styrian Hen (or Altsteirer) Slovenian Barred Hen Slovene Late-feathered Hen Slovenian Brown Hen Slovenian Silver Hen
South Africa
Ovambo Potchefstroom Koekoek Venda Boschveld
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Appenzeller Barthuhn, Appenzeller Spitzhauben, Schweizer Zwerg-Appenzeller Barthuhn Zwerg-Schweizer,
Taiwan Taiwanese Game
Thailand Gai Chon Gai Puen Muang Pradu Hang Dum or Pradu Hang Dam Chiangmai Thai Game
Turkey
Abaza Denizli Gerze Hacikadin Sultan
Ukraine Poltava
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vietnam
By primary use 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
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 Most farms and homesteads use dual-purpose breeds for meat production. Some breeds are raised mainly for meat:
Bresse Cornish (a.k.a. Indian Game) Ixworth Jersey Giant
Dual-purpose
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 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. KeyU denotes a breed primarily used for exhibition, but which is still used for utility purposes.G denotes a game breed.
Bantams
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
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
List of birds List of duck breeds List of goose breeds List of turkey breeds Chickens as pets
Footnotes
References