List of chicken breeds

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Guinea Fowl
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There are hundreds of

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,

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

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

Afghanistan

Albania

Australia

Australian Australorp breed
  • Australian Game
  • Australian Pit Game

Austria

Belgium

bantam

Brazil

  • Índio Gigante

Bulgaria

Black Shumen cock
  • Black Shumen

Canada

Chile

China

Silkie hen

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

  • Šumava chicken or Šumavanka[11]

Egypt

Finland

France

Germany

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

Bantams

Greece

Iceland

India

Aseel, a fighting breed

Indonesia

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

Iran

Iranian Orloff breed
  • Manx Rumpy
    (or Rumpless Game)

Italy

Leghorn hen

Japan

Korea

Kosovo

Malaysian serama

Malaysia

Mariana Islands

  • Saipan Jungle Fowl

Myanmar

Netherlands

Norway

  • Norwegian Jærhøne

Pakistan

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Naked-neck
Styrian hens
with rich tufts
  • Transylvanian Naked-neck

Russia

  • Russian Orloff

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Minorca rooster
A Cantabrian Pedresa rooster with no tail feathers

Sweden

Switzerland

The Appenzeller Spitzhauben, a rare Swiss crested breed
  • Zwerg-Appenzeller Barthuhn[18]
  • Zwerg-
    Schweizer,[18]

Taiwan

Thailand

Turkey

Turkish Sultan breed

Ukraine

United Kingdom

A buff Orpington cock

United States of America

Vietnam

By primary use

All chickens lay

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:

Dual-purpose

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

Since the 19th century,

fighting cocks
.

Key

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

G denotes a game breed.

Modern Game chicken