The Hatching Post

Chicken Breeds - Which Should You Choose?

When you’re starting out it can be rather bewildering knowing which breed to choose and also to decide whether you are into building a chicken coop yourself or want to buy a hen house.

Let’s look at the chickens themselves now, and I’ll come back to the chicken coop question later.

There are large chickens like the Orpington and smaller types such as bantams, there are beautiful birds such as the Leghorns but they can be flighty - and then you need to decide whether you are going to go for Chicks and rear them yourself, or broody hens that are ready to lay.

Start by making a list of what you want from your chickens: e.g. good layers, type of eggs, good as pets, good in larger numbers, highly attractive etc. Then you can research the different breeds and start to take a view.

You may also be influenced by what kinds of chicken breeds are available where you live - and which work well in your climate - some are better than others in colder climates, or damp conditions for example. And then there’s the simple matter of supply. if you want broody hens you may want to go and pick them out at the farm, so you’re likely to be limited in the choice available.

Finally - if you want to raise chickens, which breeds are better for beginners.

We’ll be coming back to this subject over the coming months as I work through some of the options.

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