Chicken

Breed derived from South American Araucanas, recognized for laying blue eggs. APA recognized. Calm, adaptable, and available in several standardized colors.

Heavy, dual-purpose breed originating in Australia from Black Orpington stock. APA American Class. World-record egg layer; docile temperament popular with backyard and production flocks.

Giant, feather-footed breed from the United States developed from Asian imports. APA Asiatic Class. Calm, gentle giant and one of the largest standard chicken breeds.

Large, heavily feathered breed from China with an exceptionally gentle temperament. APA Asiatic Class. Popular show bird; poor layer but excellent broody hen.

Heavily muscled English breed and the foundation of the modern broiler industry. APA English Class. Short, wide body with a pea comb and close-fitting plumage.

America's oldest breed, a dual-purpose bird with a distinctive rose comb and cuckoo-barred pattern. APA American Class. Hardy and self-sufficient forager.

Hybrid or mixed-breed chicken carrying the blue-egg gene, producing eggs in blue, green, olive, or pink. Not APA recognized but widely bred and in high demand. Often confused with Ameraucanas and Araucanas.

Lean, active laying breed from Italy and the backbone of commercial egg production. APA Mediterranean Class. White Leghorn lays more eggs per year than nearly any other breed.

Dual-purpose French breed prized for laying very dark chocolate-brown eggs. APA Continental Class. Cuckoo Marans most common; quiet and docile.

Large, fluffy dual-purpose English breed developed in Orpington, Kent. APA English Class. Exceptionally friendly and available in many color varieties including the popular Buff.

Dual-purpose breed popular in American farmsteads for over 150 years. APA American Class. Barred variety is most common; calm, friendly, and productive.

Ornamental breed with a distinctive crest of head feathers. APA Continental Class. Calm and friendly but impaired vision from crest can make them startled easily.

Premier American egg-laying breed developed in Rhode Island. APA American Class. Hardy, productive, and adaptable; state bird of Rhode Island.

Ornamental Asian breed with uniquely silky, fur-like plumage and black skin. APA All Other Standard Breeds. Exceptionally broody, docile, and popular for hatching eggs of other poultry.

Dual-purpose English breed with a long history as a table bird. APA English Class. Alert, curious, and productive; Speckled and Light varieties most common.

Dutch dual-purpose breed known for laying large, deep terracotta-brown eggs. APA Continental Class. Active forager with classic partridge-colored plumage.

Dual-purpose American breed with a rose comb and laced plumage pattern. APA American Class. Cold-hardy, docile, and available in many color varieties.