| |
Breed |
Notes |
Varieties |
Rarity |
Type |
Eggs |
Broodiness |
Hardiness |
Free
Range |
Weight |
Origins |
Comb |
Skin |
Shanks |
Ears |
Maturing |
Confine-ment |
Behavior |
| Color |
Rate |
Size |
Stand |
Bantam |
 | Ameraucana
Easter Egger | The chipmunky blue-egger | Black, Blue, Blue-wheaten, Brown-red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, & White | Rare | Layer Muffed, Bearded | Tinted blue & blue- green | 240
Excellent | Large | Occasional | Cold Hardy very cold hardy | Yes | 5.5 | 1.6 | South America | Pea | White | Slate | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Calm: Mostly calm, non-aggressive |
 | Ancona
| Almost a Leghorn, with black mottling | Black mottled, only | Uncommon | Layer | White to light cream | 150
Average | Medium | Non-setter | Hardy noted for hardiness; very cold hardy except for combs | Yes | 4.5 | 1.5 | Italy in mid-19th century | Single and rose | Yellow | Yellow | White | Early maturing | No | Flighty: Nervous & restless in confinement; flyer; active, flighty, marked wildness, avoids human contact |
 | Andalusian
| The original blue | Blue (Black and Splash [White] used for breeding, but not recognized) | Rare | Layer Blue feathered | White chalk to creamy | 160
Average | Large | Non-setter | Heat Tolerant combs subject to frostbite | Yes | 5.5 | 1.75 | Spain & England in mid-19th century. | Single | White | Blue | White | Early maturing | Semi | Flighty: Active, noisy, avoids human contact |
 | Appenzeller
Appenzell | The national breed of Switzerland. | Spitzhauben (Pointed Hood) & Barthuhner (Bearded) | Rare | Layer Crested or Bearded | White | 160
Average | Average | Can be | Cold Hardy very cold hardy, except may have problems with freezing crest feathers | - | 4 | | Switzerland centuries ago. | Horn V-shaped, duplex | White | Blue | Bluish white | Early maturing | No | Flighty: Flyer, active |
 | Araucana
Rumpless Araucana | The rumpless, tufted blue-egger. | Black, White, Black Breasted Red, Blue, Buff, Silver | Rare | Layer Rumpless Ear Tufts | Blue only | 200
Good | Average | Frequent | Cold Hardy | Yes | 5 | 1.4 | Chile. | Pea | Yellow | Willow | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Calm: Non-aggressive Araucanas carry a lethal gene which causes one quarter of chicks to die in the shell. |
 | Aseel
Asil | Ancient Indian athlete | Black, White, Duckwing, Red Spangled, Pyle, others | Rare | Game | Tinted lightly - productive over short season | 40
Poor | Small | Can be | Heat Tolerant hardy, but not feathered for cold winters; very hardy in high heat | - | 5 | 2 | India more than 2000 years ago. | Pea small | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Slow to mature | Yes | Aggressive: Bears confinement better than most other game breeds; extremely fierce & pugnacious, but docile & easily handled when away from other cocks; because of aggressiveness, not recommended for a mixed flock |
 | Australorp
Black Australorp | The purported egg-laying champ from Oz | Black, only (standard); also blue & white | Common | Dual Purpose | Brown | 250
Excellent | Average | Can be | Hardy very hardy; very cold hardy | Yes | 6.5 | 2 | 20th century in Australia | Single | White | Dark | Red | Early maturing | Yes | Calm: Docile; more easily handled |
 | Barnevelder
| Famous for large dark brown eggs | Double-laced, Blue-laced, White, Black, others | Rare | Dual Purpose | Brown very dark reddish with matte finish | 160
Average | Large | Mixed reports | Less Hardy less cold hardy; developed in region known for damp conditions | Yes | 6.5 | 2.25 | Late 19th century and early 20th century in Holland. | Single | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Docile |
 | Belgian d'Anver
Antwerp Belgian, Barbu d'Anvers | The bearded bantam | Quail, Porcelain, Black, Blue, Buff, Cuckoo, Mille Fleur, White, Mottled, and more | Common | Bantam Bearded | White creamy | 80
Poor | Tiny | Frequent | Robust | - | 0 | 1.3 | Belgium many decades ago | Rose | White | Dark | White | Slow to mature | - | Flighty: Active, flyer; hens calm, cocks can be aggressive |
 | Belgian d'Uccle
Barbu d'Uccle | The bearded, booted bantam | Mille Fleur, Porcelain, Black, Buff, White, Blue Mottled, Splash, Golden Neck, others | Common | Bantam Bearded, Feather Footed | White creamy | 80
Poor | Tiny | Great | Hardy because of fancy feathering, not suited for foul weather | - | 0 | 1.3 | First bred in Uccle (Belgium) before 1900 by Michel Van Gelder. | Single small with large spikes | White | White | White | Very slow to mature | Semi | Calm: Fliers; cocks less aggressive than other banties |
 | Booted
Sabelpoot | The booted, unbearded bantam | Black, Blue, Buff, Mille Fleur, Porcelain, White, Mottled, others | Very Rare | Bantam Feather Footed | White creamy | 40
Poor | Tiny | Great | Hardy | - | 0 | 1.4 | One of the more ancient bantams; developed in the Netherlands. | Single | White | White | Red, bright | Slow to mature | Semi | Calm: Fliers; hens calm, cocks can be aggressive |
 | Brahma
| Large and regal. Once the largest breed of chicken | Light, Dark, Buff | Uncommon | Dual Purpose Feather Footed, outside only | Brown | 140
Average | Average | Frequent | Robust very hardy in heat & cold | Yes | 9.5 | 2.6 | Origin has been in dispute | Pea | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Mostly gentle; more easily handled. |
 | Buckeye
| Buckeye brown bird from the Buckeye state | Nut brown, only | Uncommon | Dual Purpose | Brown | 135
Average | Large | Can be | Cold Hardy very cold hardy | Yes | 6.5 | 0 | Developed by Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio, in late 19th century | Pea | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Moderately slow maturing | Yes | Calm: Docile; can be curious; more easily handled. |
 | Buttercup
Sicilian Buttercup | Known for its comb. | Golden | Uncommon | Layer Large buttercup comb | White | 160
Average | Small | Non-setter | Heat Tolerant combs subject to frostbite | - | 5 | 0 | Sicily | Buttercup | Yellow | Yellow | White | Early maturing | No | Flighty: Does not do well in close confinement; very fidgety; active, flighty, wild even for a Mediterranean breed; avoids human contact |
 | Campine
| Beautiful bird with unique penciling. | Golden, Silver | Very Rare | Layer Some males are hen-feathered | White | 150
Average | Average | Non-setter | Hardy comb subject to frostbite | Yes | 5 | 0 | Belgium in the 19th century | Single large | White | Blue | White | Quick feathering but late maturing | Semi | Flighty: Flyer; alert, lively; can be curious; some are rather wild, others can be quite tolerant of humans |
 | Catalana
| The most popular breed of South America | Buff | Rare | Dual Purpose | White to light tint | 150
Average | Medium | Non-setter | Heat Tolerant very hardy in heat | - | 6 | 0 | Spain in late 19th century | Single | Yellow | Yellow | White | Early maturing | No | Flighty: Active, vigorous, avoids human contact |
 | Chantecler
| Canada's breed | White, Buff, Partridge | Rare | Dual Purpose | Brown | 150
Average | Large | Frequent | Cold Hardy extremely cold hardy | - | 6.5 | 0 | Brother Wilfred Chatalain of the Oka Agricultural Institute in Quebec over the course of a decade beginning in 1908. | Cushion | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Early maturing | Yes | Calm: Docile, although there are reports of skittishness. |
 | Cochin
| Big ball of fluff and feathers | Buff, White, Black, & Partridge | Uncommon | Fancy Feather Footed, fully | Tinted or yellowy brown | 140
Average | Large | Excellent | Robust cold hardy | Yes | 8.5 | 1.3 | Introduced from China in early 19th century | Single small | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Docile; more easily handled |
 | Cornish
Indian Game | Famed meat bird, especially when crossed. | White, Dark, White Laced, Red, Buff | Uncommon | Meat | Brown light | 65
Poor | Average | Can be | Cold Hardy | - | 8 | 2.6 | Cornwall in 19th century. | Pea | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Calm: Very docile for a game bird, noisy; because of slowness and inability to well defend themselves, not recommended for a mixed flock |
 | Crevecoeur
| Is it beautiful and elegant, or just peculiar-looking? | Black | Rare | Fancy Crested Bearded & muffed | White | 150
Average | Average | Non-setter | Less Hardy because of fancy feathering, not suited for foul weather; may have problems with freezing crest feathers | - | 6.5 | 0 | Normandy, during or before the 17th century. | Horn V-shaped, duplex | White | White | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Flighty: Active; can be aggressive |
 | Cubalaya
| Cuba's fighting meat bird. | Black-Breasted Red, White, Black | Rare | Game | White | 150
Average | Small | Great | Heat Tolerant not feathered for cold winters; very hardy in heat | - | 4.5 | 0 | Cuba in 19th century from Philippine or Indonesian stock. | Pea | White | White | White | Slow to mature | No | Aggressive: Noisy; because of aggressiveness, not recommended for a mixed flock |
 | Delaware
| A broiler cross that became a breed. | White [Columbian] | Uncommon | Dual Purpose | Brown medium to rich | 175
Average | Extra-Large | Can be | Robust hardy in heat & cold | Yes | 6.5 | 1.8 | George Ellis in 1940 in Delaware | Single | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Early maturing | Yes | Calm: Docile.. |
 | Dominique
Dominiker | America's first breed, often confused with Barred Rock | Barred only | Uncommon | Dual Purpose | Brown | 250
Excellent | Average | Frequent | Robust cold hardy | Yes | 5 | 1.5 | New England in early 19th century. | Rose | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Early maturing | Yes | Calm: Mostly calm, but more flighty than other dual purpose breeds |
 | Dorking
| Short legged, very ancient, very English | Silver Gray, White, Colored | Uncommon | Dual Purpose Five-Toed Short legs | White to light tint creamy | 150
Average | Average | Great | Less Hardy less hardy in general, but cold hardy | Yes | 6.5 | 1 | Ancient; believed to have been introduced to England by Romans | Single and rose | White | White | Red | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Docile; stately or awkward; fattens easily; more easily handled |
 | Dutch
| The littlest bantam | 11 recognized, including Light Brown, White, Black, Blue, Blue Light Brown, Silver | Uncommon | Bantam | Tinted light | 80
Poor | Small | Good | Hardy | - | 0 | 1 | Netherlands, perhaps from Dutch East Indies stock. | Single | White | White or blue | White | Slow to mature | Yes | Flighty: Fliers; active, lively, cocks have been compared to snapping turtles |
 | Faverolles
| The French Poodle of chicken breeds | Salmon, White | Uncommon | Dual Purpose Bearded & muffed Feather footed, outside only Five-Toed | Tinted creamy | 190
Good | Average | Can be | Cold Hardy because of fancy feathering, not suited for foul weather | - | 7.5 | 2.2 | Normandy in early 19th century. | Single small | White | White | Red | Early maturing | Yes | Calm: Alert; very docile; genteel; prone to bullying by others, so may not do well in a mixed flock |
 | Fayoumi
Egyptian Fayoumi | Precocious scavenger and escape artist | Gold & silver penciled | Uncommon | Layer | White to light tint off-white | 180
Average | Small | Non-setter | Heat Tolerant very hardy; excellent hot weather bird | - | 3.5 | 0 | Ancient Egyptian origins | Single | White | Dark | White | Quick feathering & very early maturing | No | Flighty: Lively; known for wildness |
 | Hamburg
Hamburgh | The spritely, little everyday layer | Silver-Spangled, Golden-Spangled, Golden-Penciled, Silver-Penciled, White, Black | Uncommon | Layer | White low-gloss | 215
Good | Medium | Non-setter | Hardy | Yes | 4 | 1.5 | Holland (not Germany) before 1700, possibly before 1400 | Rose | White | Slate blue | White | Very early maturing | No | Flighty: High flyer; very flighty; spritely, active; mostly avoids human contact |
 | Holland
American Holland | The calm white-egger. | White & Barred | Rare | Dual Purpose | White | 180
Average | Large | Can be | Cold Hardy | Yes | 6.5 | 0 | Established in 1949 | Single | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Moderately slow maturing | Yes | Calm: Good tempered |
 | Houdan
| The crested French bird with big eyes | White, Mottled | Uncommon | Dual Purpose Crested Bearded Five-Toed | White | 90
Fair | Medium | Can be | Less Hardy not suited for foul weather; may have problems with freezing crest feathers | - | 6.5 | 1.75 | Normandy before 1700 | Leaf (or V) | White | Darker | White | Early maturing | Yes | Calm: Active; docile; more easily handled |
 | Jaerhon
Norwegian Jaerhon, Norske J?rhone | Pride of Norway | Dark Brown, Light Yellow | Rare | Layer | White | 200
Good | Large | Non-setter | Cold Hardy | Yes | 3.5 | 0 | 1920 in Norway. First imported to North America in 1998. | Single small | White | Slate | White | Early maturing | Yes | Flighty: Active |
 | Japanese
Chabo | The short-legged, low-built, squirrel-tailed bantam | Black, White, Black Tailed, Birchen, Mottled, others | Common | Bantam Short legs | White creamy | 20
Poor | Small | Excellent | Less Hardy because of short legs & fancy feathering, not suited for foul weather | - | 0 | 1.3 | Japan as early as the 7th century | Single large | White | White | Bright red | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Some are fliers; generally docile, cocks can be aggressive |
 | Java
| A good, old breed, like a fine cup of coffee. | Black, Mottled | Rare | Dual Purpose | Brown | 150
Average | Large | Good | Cold Hardy | Yes | 7.5 | 0 | U.S. after being introduced from Java in 1835 or earlier. | Single | Yellow | Dark | Red | Very slow maturing | Yes | Calm: |
 | Jersey Giant.
| The world's largest chicken breed | Black, White | Uncommon | Dual Purpose | Brown | 180
Average | Extra-Large | Occasional | Robust very cold hardy | Yes | 10 | 0 | Near Jobstown, New Jersey, in the 1870s by John and Thomas Black | Single small | Yellow | Dark | Red | Very slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Gentle, more easily handled. |
 | La Fleche
| The devil bird. | Black, Blue, White, & Cuckoo | Rare | Dual Purpose Horns for a comb | Tinted white | 200
Good | Average | Non-setter | Hardy | Yes | 5.5 | 0 | Dates back to France during or before the 17th century. | Horn V-shaped, duplex | White | Dark | White | Early maturing | Yes | Flighty: Active, avoids human contact |
 | Lakenvelder
| Shadow on a sheet. | Black/white/black pattern. | Uncommon | Layer | White to light tint | 175
Average | Medium | Non-setter | Hardy | Yes | 4 | 0 | Germany in early 19th century. | Single | White | Dark | White | Early maturing | Yes | Flighty: Flyer; avoids human contact. |
 | Langshan
| The long-legged, high-tailed, and feather-footed regal bird. | Black, White, & Blue | Uncommon | Dual Purpose Feather Footed, outside only | Brown | 200
Good | Large | Can be | Cold Hardy very hardy | Yes | 7.5 | 0 | Introduced from China in mid-19th century. | Single | Grayish | Dark | Red | Slow to mature | Yes | Flighty: Active for their size; graceful; not as calm or docile as other large breeds. |
 | Leghorn
| The ultimate egg machine. | White, Dark Brown, Light Brown, Buff, Black, Silver, Red, Black-Tailed Red, Columbian | Common | Layer | White pearl (non-white feathered varieties are less prolific.) | 300
Superior | Large | Non-setter | Heat Tolerant heat tolerant (esc. white variety); combs subject to frostbite | Yes | 4.5 | 1.75 | Ancient, but greatly developed in 19th & 20th centuries | Single and rose large | Yellow | Yellow | White | Very early maturing | Yes | Flighty: Economical eater; better adaptable to confinement then some Mediterranean; enjoys free range; flyer; flighty; spritely, noisy, nervous, usually avoids human contact. |
 | Malay
| A cruel-looking, elongated giant. | Black Breasted Red, White, Spangled, Black, and Red Pyle | Very Rare | Game | Brown productive over short season | 60
Poor | Medium | Can be | Heat Tolerant hardy, but not feathered for cold winters; very hardy in heat | - | 7 | 0 | An ancient breed related to birds indigenous to southern Asia from the Indian sub-continent to Indonesia.. | Strawberry | Yellow | Yellow | Rich red | Very slow to mature | No | Aggressive: Needs to be active; intolerant of close confinement; among the most aggressive, but more placid than most game birds; because of aggressiveness, not recommended for a mixed flock |
 | Marans
| Known for one thing -- chocolate colored eggs. | Black Copper [APA], Cuckoo, and others | Uncommon | Layer Feather Footed | Brown dark chocolate russett brown ideally, varies widely & seasonally | 140
Average | Large | Great | Hardy Developed in marsh lands, so apparently tolerant of wet conditions. Some rapid and carely breeding have made some strains less hardy than others. | - | 6.5 | 2.2 | France in early 20th century. | Single white | White | White | Red | | - | Varies: Varies widely by individual and strain. |
 | Minorca
| Largest Mediterranean, extra-large eggs. | Black, White, Buff | Uncommon | Layer | White | 220
Excellent | Extra-Large | Non-setter | Heat Tolerant excellent hot weather bird; combs subject to frostbite | Yes | 7 | 1.75 | Spain | Single and rose | White | Dark | White | Early maturing | Yes | Flighty: Restlessly active, avoids human contact |
 | Modern Game
Modern English Game | The little game bird with style and carriage | Black-Breasted Red, Silver Duckwing, Red Pyle, White, Black, many others | Rare | Game | White to light tint productive over short season | 100
Fair | Small | Can be | Heat Tolerant not feathered for coldest winters; hardy in heat; some subject to health problems | Yes | 4.5 | 1.2 | England in 19th century | Single large (often dubbed) | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Slow to mature | No | Aggressive: Noisy |
 | Naked Neck
Transylvanian Naked Neck, Turken | No, it's not a turkey / chicken cross | Black, White, Red, and Red are recognized by the APA, but other varieties include Blue and Cuckoo or Barred. | Uncommon | Fancy Bare neck | Brown creamy light | 150
Average | Large | Can be | Robust hardy in both cold and extreme heat | Yes | 6 | 1.5 | Before 1700 in the Transylvanian region of Central Europe | Single | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Active; docile; more easily handled |
 | Nankin
| | | Rare | Layer | White creamy | 95
Fair | Tiny | Excellent | Heat Tolerant Best in hot to moderate climate; rose comb variety better for cold | - | 0 | 1.4 | England | Single | Yellow | Dark | | | - | Flighty: Eggs tend to be round in shape so they can be a challenge to hatch; eggs typically hatch better under a broody hen than in an incubator; hens |
 | New Hampshire
New Hampshire Red | New Hampshire's answer to Rhode Island | Light brownish red, only | Common | Dual Purpose | Brown light to medium dark | 240
Excellent | Extra-Large | Good | Robust hardy in heat & cold; combs subject to frostbite | Yes | 6.5 | 1.9 | New Hampshire from the Rhode Island Red in early 20th century. | Single large | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Very early maturing | Yes | Calm: Calm; can be docile or aggressive; can be curious. |
 | Old English Game
| Small fighting cocks and their mates. | Black-Breasted Red, Silver Duckwing, Red Pyle, White, Black, many others | Rare | Game | White to light tint productive over short season | 120
Fair | Small | Excellent | Hardy but not feathered for coldest winters | - | 4 | 1.3 | England in 19th & 20th century from ancient stock | Single large (often dubbed) | White | White | Red | Slow to mature | No | Aggressive: Needs to be active;self-sufficient; noisy |
 | Orloff
Russian Orloff | Wild-looking thing | Red, White | Rare | Fancy Bearded & muffed | Brown light | 80
Poor | Small | Non-setter | Hardy | - | 6 | 0 | Russia in 18th century from Persian stock. | Walnut | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Not docile, avoids human contact |
 | Orpington
| Big gentle bird. | Buff, Black, Blue, White | Common | Dual Purpose | Brown | 185
Good | Large | Good | Cold Hardy very cold hardy | Yes | 8 | 2.2 | By William Cook in Orpington (County Kent) the 1880s. | Single | White | White or dark | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Calm: Docile; more easily handled; can be bullied |
 | Penedesenca
| The dark egg layer that wears a crown | Creole, Partridge, Wheaten, Black | Rare | Layer | Brown very dark red- | 200
Good | Average | Non-setter | Heat Tolerant very hardy in heat | Yes | 4 | 0 | Catalan district of Spain in 20th century | Clavell (carnation) | White | Blue-grey | White | Slow to mature | - | Flighty: Active; avoids human contact |
 | Phoenix
| Honorable long-tail. | Partridge; Silver Duckwing; White; other colors | Uncommon | Fancy Long-tailed | White to light tint | 60
Poor | Small | Can be | Less Hardy reportedly short lived; because of fancy feathering, not suited for foul weather | - | 4 | 1.75 | Europe and the U.S. from the Japanese long-tailed breed called the Onagadori. | Single | Yellow | Yellow or slate | Red | Slow to mature | - | Calm: Requires special housing or cages & high perches to accommodate long tails; generally docile |
 | Plymouth Rock.
Barred, White, etc. | Once upon a time America's favorite breed | Barred, White, Buff, Silver Penciled, Partridge, Columbian, Blue | Common | Dual Purpose | Brown light (or pinkish) to medium | 200
Good | Large | Infrequent | Robust very cold hardy | Yes | 7.5 | 2.2 | New England in 19th century.. | Single small | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Somewhat early maturing | Yes | Calm: Docile; more easily handled. |
 | Polish
Poland | Perhaps the oldest of the crested breeds | Bearded & Beardless; Black, White, Golden, Silver, Buff Laced | Uncommon | Fancy Crested | White varies widely to | 200
Good | Average | Non-setter | Less Hardy some subject to health problems;, not suited for foul weather; may have problems with freezing crest feathers; | - | 4.25 | 0 | Europe, but probably not Poland, before the 16th century. | V small | White | Blue | White | | Yes | Varies: Mixed reports -- either calm or somewhat flighty; obstructed vision can hinder some activities; can be bullied; mixed reports on how well they do in a mixed flock. special care may be needed since plumage blocks vision |
 | Redcap
Red Cap, Derbyshire Redcap | Think huge rose comb. | Red & black pattern, only | Rare | Layer Large rose comb | White | 200
Good | Average | Non-setter | Hardy | - | 6 | 0 | Derbyshire. | Rose very large spiked | White | Blue | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Flighty: Active |
 | Rhode Island Red
| Best of breeds for producing brown eggs. | Red | Common | Dual Purpose | Brown rich medium | 260
Superior | Large | Infrequent | Robust hardy in heat & cold; combs subject to frostbite | Yes | 6.5 | 2 | New England in 19th century. | Single and rose large | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Calm: Active, fairly docile, can be aggressive (cocks are especially notorious) |
 | Rhode Island White
| | White | Rare | Dual Purpose | Brown | 240
Excellent | Large | Non-setter | Hardy | Yes | 6.5 | 0 | United states | Rose | Yellow | Yellow | | | - | Varies: Good forager and loves to range, but not far from the coop; roosters can be housed together in winter, but will need more room at the start of breeding season |
 | Rosecomb
| The original rosecombed, clean-legged bantam | Black, White, Silver Laced, others. | Common | Bantam | White to cream | 80
Poor | Tiny | Non-setter | Hardy hardy in heat & cold | - | 0 | 1.3 | Origins unclear & disputed. | Rose | Yellow | Yellow | White | Slow to mature | Yes | Varies: Fliers; generally docile, cocks can be aggressive |
 | Sebright
| The beautifully laced bantam | Silver, Golden | Common | Bantam Both male & female hen-feathered | White creamy | 80
Poor | Tiny | Non-setter | Less Hardy not robust; chicks difficult to rear | - | 0 | 1.3 | Before 1810 in England by Sir John Sebright | Rose | Yellow | Yellow | Purplish red | Slow to mature | Yes | Flighty: Fliers; jaunty, sprightly |
 | Sex link
Comets, Stars | Hybrid intended to sex a one day-old | Black, Red, Gold | Common | Layer | Brown | 300
Superior | Extra-Large | Non-setter | Hardy | Yes | 7 | 0 | - | Single | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Early maturing | Yes | Calm: Docile |
 | Silkie
| An oddity of oddities of the poultry and pet world | Bearded & Beardless; Black, White, Blue, Buff, Partridge, Gray | Common | Bantam | Tinted | 80
Poor | Small | Best | Hardy hardy in heat & cold; because of fancy feathering, not suited for foul weather | - | 0 | 2.2 | Already developed in China by the time of Marco Polo | Walnut | Black | Black | Turquoise | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Docile; because of size and docility, may not do well in a mixed flock |
 | Spanish
Black, White face, White Ear, or Clownface | Handsome, graceful, rare | White-Faced Black only | Uncommon | Layer White face | White | 160
Average | Large | Non-setter | Heat Tolerant reportedly subject to health problems; heat tolerant; combs subject to frostbite | Yes | 6 | 0 | Oldest of the Mediterranean breeds, developed in Spain. | Single large | Grey | Dark | White | Slow to mature | Yes | Flighty: Haughty, noisy, avoids human contact |
 | Sultan
| All for show | White, only | Uncommon | Fancy Crested Bearded & muffed Feather-footed, fully Five toed | White | 175
Average | Small | Non-setter | Less Hardy not suited for foul weather; may have problems with freezing crest feathers | - | 4 | 0 | Introduced from Turkey in mid-19th century. | Horn V-shaped, duplex | White | White | White [hidden under | Moderately slow developing | Yes | Calm: Non-aggressive; more easily handled |
 | Sumatra
| Lustrous black long tail | Black (and Blue as of 2010 for standard, earlier for bantams) | Uncommon | Game | White to light tint more productive than most game hens | 120
Fair | Small | Can be | Heat Tolerant not feathered for cold winters; hardy in heat | - | 4 | 0 | An ancient breed. | Pea small, tiny or no wattles | Yellow | Purply black | Dark purply red | | No | Flighty: Needs to be active; intolerant of close confinement; strong fliers if given the opportunity; can be quite wild, but can be tamed. |
 | Sussex
| An old English favorite | Speckled, Red, Light | Uncommon | Dual Purpose | Brown creamy to light | 200
Good | Large | Good | Robust very cold hardy | Yes | 7 | 2.2 | Developed in county of Sussex in early 19th century. | Single | White | White | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Calm: Gentle; active; can be curious; more easily handled |
 | Welsumer
Welsummer | Backyard bird with big brown eggs | Red Partridge | Uncommon | Dual Purpose | Brown rich dark terracotta | 180
Average | Large | Mixed reports | Cold Hardy hardy | Yes | 6 | 2 | Developed in Holland in 20th century. | Single small | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Calm: Lively, but more docile than flighty. |
 | Wyandotte
| The bird of curves | Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Buff, Partridge, Silvered Penciled, Columbian | Common | Dual Purpose | Brown light to rich | 190
Good | Large | Infrequent | Robust very cold hardy | Yes | 6.5 | 2.2 | Developed in New York State & Wisconsin in late 19th century. | Rose | Yellow | Yellow | Red | Moderately early maturing | Yes | Calm: |
 | Yokohama
| Elegant long-tail. | Red shouldered & white; White; other colors | Very Rare | Fancy Long-tailed | Tinted | 80
Poor | Small | Can be | Less Hardy because of fancy feathering, not suited for foul weather | No | 4 | 0 | Developed in Germany in the 19th century | Walnut or pea | Yellow | Yellow | White | Slow to mature | Yes | Calm: Requires special housing or cages & high perches to accommodate long tails; generally docile; cocks can be pugnacious around other cocks; because of special needs, not recommended for a mixed flock |
