Chicken Breeds and Varieties (A2880) R-06-2018

CHICKEN breeds & varieties

JOHN SKINNER AND ADAM HADY Contents

Bantams �� 2 Hatchery stock vs. breeder/show stock �� 2 American Class �� 3 Asiatic Class �� 6 English Class �� 7 Mediterranean Class ��10 Continental Class ��12

points All Other Standard Breeds (AOSB) ��15

comb blade base

eye ear saddle sickle ear lobe nostril hackle beak cape wattle tail back coverts

front of hackle

shoulder lesser sickles wing bow

wing front saddle breast feathers

wing coverts secondary coverts primary flights primary coverts

thigh fluff shank hock

toe nail spur ball of foot

toe UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION

hickens exist in many colors, and presence of a beard and muffs. measured in terms of the excellence sizes, and shapes. There are Examples exist in almost all breeds. of individual birds. As the commercial Cmore than 350 combinations In Plymouth Rocks, there are several egg and poultry meat industries of physical features. In order to be colors including Barred, White, Buff, developed, the emphasis changed able to identify and classify each of and Partridge. In each case, the body from the individual bird to the average these, we have established a system of shape and physical features should for the entire flock. This caused some designations known as classes, breeds, be identical. The color is the only breeders to adopt intensive selection varieties, and strains. difference, and each of these colors is programs based on the performance A class is a group of breeds that share a separate variety. Another example of certain outstanding families, while some common characteristics. In the is the Leghorn breed, where most others worked with breed crosses United States, large fowl are grouped varieties exist in Single Comb and Rose and crosses of strains within a given according to the geographic area Comb with all features other than comb breed. Today the commercial poultry where the breed was developed. The type or color being identical. industry is based almost 100% on the class names themselves indicate the Strains, or lines, are families or strain approach. However, foundation region where the breeds originated, breeding populations possessing breeders are constantly looking for such as Asiatic, Mediterranean, and common traits. They may be additional material for gene pools. This American. The breeds of chickens in this subdivisions of a breed or variety must come from fanciers and hobbyists publication are arranged first according or may even be systematic crosses. who maintain the various breeds for to their class, and then alphabetically However, a strain shows a relationship personal and esthetic reasons rather by breed name within each class. more exacting than that for others than strictly for the production of meat Lesser-known classes, breeds, and of similar appearance. Strains are and eggs. varieties are at the end of the guide. the products of one person’s or one The American Poultry Association Breed refers to a group, each of which organization’s breeding program. Many (APA) issues a book called the American possesses a given set of physical commercial strains exist. Such names as Standard of Perfection (available at features, such as body shape or type, DeKalb, Hyline, Babcock, and Shaver are www.amerpoultryassn.com). This book skin color, carriage or station, number organizations that have bred specific contains a complete description of of toes, and feathered or nonfeathered strains of chickens for specific purposes. each of the more than 300 recognized shanks. If such an individual is mated Most of the breeds and varieties breeds and varieties. Such things as to one of its own kind, these features we know in the United States today size, shape, color, and physical features should be passed on to their offspring. were developed between 1875 and are described and illustrated in detail. A variety is a subdivision of a breed. 1925. During that time the emphasis Differentiating characteristics throughout the poultry world was include plumage color, comb type, on breeds and varieties. Success was

Common comb types

Single Pea Rose

1 CHICKEN BREEDS & VARIETIES

Bantams have the same requirements bantams, consult the books Bantam Bantams for shape, color, and physical features Standard, produced by the American Bantams are the miniatures of the as do the large fowl. They should Bantam Association (available at poultry world. The word bantam is weigh about one-fifth of their larger www.bantamclub.com/aba), and the general term for the more than counterparts. They should be referred Bantams, produced by the University 350 kinds of true-breeding miniature to by the name of their breed and of Wisconsin-Extension (available at chickens. They exist in almost every variety plus the word bantam, such as https://learningstore.uwex.edu). breed and variety that we see in large Buff Cochin Bantams. chickens. In addition, there are some Bantams are kept for their beauty, for kinds of bantams that have no large exhibition, as pets, or as companion Hatchery stock counterpart. animals. Their wide array of shapes, vs. breeder/ The term “banty” or “bantie” is often colors, and personalities gives them used to describe any nondescript, broad appeal. However, they can also show stock undersized chicken. This is misleading. be quite useful for the production of This publication focuses on many of the Bantams are not just small mixed-breed eggs, and their meat is fine grained and Standard Breed chickens recognized chickens but are complete miniatures nutritious. Often bantams can be kept by the APA. As you choose a breed, raised primarily for exhibition, a in areas too small for regular chickens. the goals you have for your birds may purpose for which they excel. The They are, in fact, the “compacts” of the affect where you choose to obtain your American Bantam Association (ABA) poultry business. stock. In general, there are two sources: issues a book of standards for bantams This publication will focus on only hatchery-type breeders and exhibition and licenses persons qualified to judge large fowl that have been recognized breeders. The two groups typically have them at exhibitions. by the APA. For more information on different views of their birds. Hatcheries’ breeder stock is usually highly productive and will have many of the traits needed for the breed. However, a higher-production bird will be kept over a bird that might more closely fit the standard for the breed. On the flip side exhibition breeders generally will sacrifice production to meet the specifications for the breed standard. Both groups are great sources for birds, but one type of source may be a better fit for your goals than the other.

Bantam fowl (top and bottom) and large fowl (center) have the same requirements for shape, color, and physical features.

2 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION American Class

Jersey Giant Varieties: Black, Blue, White. Characteristics: Jersey Giants are Standard weights: Cock—13 pounds, the largest breed in the American hen—10 pounds, cockerel—11 pounds, Class. They should be rugged, with an pullet—8 pounds. angular shape, single comb and black (with willowish tinge) shanks in the Skin color: Yellow. Black variety and dark willow shanks Eggshell color: Brown. in the White variety. The Jersey Giant Use: A very heavy meat-type fowl for will go broody but is not the best heavy roaster and capon production. choice for incubating and brooding Fairly good layers. The dark-colored because of their size. Their tendency pigment from the shanks tends to to grow a big frame first and cover it move up into the edible portion with meat later makes them a poor of the carcass, which has hurt the fit for today’s conditions. The meat Jersey Giant in commercial circles. yield is disappointing until they are 6 Black Jersey Giant male Origin: Developed in New Jersey in months or older. The Jersey Giant used the late 1800s at which time there to be more widespread, but no fowl was a demand for heavy fowl for with black plumage or dark or willow capon production, particularly for the shanks has ever remained popular in New York market. Size was a prime this country for long. However, good consideration. specimens do have an appeal, mainly because of their size.

New Hampshire Red Varieties: None. Characteristics: They possess a deep, Standard weights: Cock—8½ pounds, broad body, grow feathers very rapidly, hen—6½ pounds, cockerel—7½ are prone to go broody, and make pounds, pullet—5½ pounds. good mothers. Most pinfeathers are reddish buff in color and, therefore, Skin color: Yellow. do not detract from the carcass Eggshell color: Brown. appearance very much. The color is a Use: A dual-purpose chicken, selected medium to light red and often fades in more for meat production than egg the sunshine. The comb is single and production. Medium heavy in weight, it medium to large in size; in the females dresses a nice, plump carcass as either a it often lops over a bit. These good, broiler or a roaster. medium-sized meat chickens have fair egg-laying ability. Some strains Origin: New Hampshires are a relatively lay eggs of a dark-brown shell color. new breed, having been admitted to New Hampshires are competitive and the Standard in 1935. They represent a aggressive. They were initially used specialized selection out of the Rhode in the Chicken of Tomorrow contests, Island Red breed. By intensive selection which led the way for the modern for rapid growth, fast feathering, early New Hampshire Red male broiler industry. maturity, and vigor, a different breed gradually emerged. This took place in the New England states—chiefly in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, from which it takes its name. 3 CHICKEN BREEDS & VARIETIES

Plymouth Rock Origin: Developed in the United States moderate size. Some strains are in the mid to latter part of the 19th good layers while others are bred century. The barred variety was principally for meat. White Plymouth developed first. It was noted for its Rock females are used as the female meaty back and birds with barred side of most of the commercial feathers brought a premium on broilers produced today. They usually many markets. Most of the other make good mothers. Their feathers varieties were developed from are fairly loosely held but not so crosses containing some of the same long as to easily tangle. Generally, Barred Plymouth Rock female ancestral background as the barred Plymouth Rocks are not extremely Varieties: Barred, Blue, Buff, variety. Early in its development, aggressive, and they tame quite Columbian, Partridge, Silver the name Plymouth Rock implied easily. Some males and hens are Penciled, White. a barred bird, but as more varieties big and active enough to be quite a were developed, it became the problem if they become aggressive. Standard weights: Cock—9½ designation for the breed. Breeders should be aware of the pounds, hen—7½ pounds, standard weights and not select small cockerel—8 pounds, pullet—6 Characteristics: Plymouth Rocks are or narrow birds for the breeding pen. pounds. a good general farm chicken. They are docile and normally will show Also note the wide, straight back. Skin color: Yellow. broodiness. They possess a long, This is a definite breed characteristic Eggshell color: Brown. broad back; a moderately deep, and should be maintained. Common Use: Meat and eggs. full breast; and a single comb of faults include shallow breast, high tails, narrow bodies, and small size.

Rhode Island Red Use: A dual-purpose medium-heavy They are one of the breeds where fowl; used more for egg production exhibition qualities and production than meat production because of its ability can be successfully combined dark-colored pinfeathers and its good in a single strain. Some “Red” males rate of lay. may be quite aggressive. They have Origin: Developed in the New England rectangular, relatively long bodies, states of Massachusetts and Rhode typically dark red in color. Avoid Island, early flocks often had both using medium- or brick-red females single- and rose-combed individuals for breeding because this is not in because of the influence of Malay keeping with the characteristics of blood. It was from the Malay that the the breed. Also, don’t breed from Rhode Island Red got its deep color, undersized individuals or birds with strong constitution, and relatively black in their body feathers (called “smutt”). Black in the main tail and Single Comb Rhode Island Red male hard feathers. wing feathers is normal, however. Characteristics: Rhode Island Reds Most Reds show broodiness, but Varieties: Rose Comb, Single Comb. are a good choice for the small flock this characteristic has been partially Standard weights: Cock—8½ owner. Relatively hardy, they are eliminated in some of the best egg pounds, hen—6½ pounds, probably the best egg layers of the production strains. The Rose Comb cockerel—7½ pounds, pullet—5½ dual-purpose breeds. Reds handle variety tends to be smaller but should pounds. marginal diets and poor housing be the same size as the Single Comb conditions better than other breeds Skin color: Yellow. variety. The red color fades after long and still continue to produce eggs. Eggshell color: Brown. exposure to the sun.

4 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION

Wyandotte Varieties: Black, Blue, Buff, Columbian, Characteristics: Wyandottes are a Golden Laced, Partridge, Silver Laced, good, medium-weight fowl for small Silver Penciled, White. family flocks kept under rugged Standard weights: Cock—8½ pounds, conditions. Their rose combs do hen—6½ pounds, cockerel—7½ not freeze as easily as single combs pounds, pullet—5½ pounds. and the hens make good mothers. Their attractive “curvy” shape, Skin color: Yellow. generally good disposition, and many Eggshell color: Brown. attractive color patterns (varieties) Use: Meat or eggs. make them a good choice for fanciers Silver Laced Wyandotte female as well as farmers. Common faults Origin: United States. The Silver Laced include narrow backs, undersized variety was developed in New York individuals, and relatively poor State and the others in the north and hatches. Also, it is not uncommon northeastern states in the latter part to see single-combed offspring of the 19th century and early 20th come from rose-combed parents. century. These single-combed descendants of Wyandottes should not be kept as breeders.

Less popular breeds in the American Class Buckeye: A dark red, muscular bird Holland: Developed in the 1930s with pea comb, closely held feathers, and ‘40s in an attempt to provide a and broad shoulders. Buckeyes medium-sized fowl with good meat produce a brown egg. No varieties. properties that laid white-shelled Chantecler: Developed in Canada as a eggs. Varieties: Barred, White. dual-purpose farm chicken, they have Java: A large-breed, angular bird that muscular bodies, small combs (pea) was a common farm chicken in the and wattles, and lay brown eggs. U.S. in the 19th century. Javas possess Varieties: Partridge, White. single combs and lay a brown egg. Delaware: A nearly white, rapid- Varieties: Black, Mottled. Buckeye female growing, dual-purpose fowl Lamona: Lamonas have single combs, developed to figure into broiler appear short legged, and are one crosses, with single comb and brown of the few chicken breeds with red eggshells. No varieties. earlobes that lay white-shelled eggs. Dominique: The oldest breed Variety: White. developed in the United States, they Rhode Island White: They are the are indefinitely barred black and white form of the Rhode Island Reds. white, have rose combs, are relatively A dual-purpose chicken that lays a small, and have tightly held feathers. brown to dark-brown egg. Dominiques are a medium-sized, Variety: Rose Comb. dual-purpose breed that lays a brown egg. No varieties.

White Chantecler male

5 CHICKEN BREEDS & VARIETIES

Asiatic Class

Brahma Varieties: Buff, Dark, Light. Characteristics: Good Brahmas are Standard weights: Cock—12 pounds, beautiful, stately birds. Their large hen—9½ pounds, cockerel—l0 size and gentle nature combined pounds, pullet—8 pounds. with intricate color patterns makes them favorites for the country estate. Skin color: Yellow. The Brahma’s appearance in the Eggshell color: Brown. showroom never fails to command Use: A very heavy fowl for the the admiration of one and all. production of heavy roasters or These qualities have made them a Light Brahma female capons. Fair egg layers. favorite with exhibitors and fanciers. Brahmas do go broody and are fairly Origin: The ancestry of the Brahma good mothers. Their small comb traces back to China, although much and wattles, together with profuse of their development took place in feathering and well-feathered shanks the U.S. between 1850 and 1890. and toes enable them to stand cold temperatures very well. The relatively slow rate of growth and long time required to reach maturity have caused Brahmas to be passed by as a commercial foul.

Cochin Varieties: Barred, Black, Blue, Brown, Characteristics: Cochins are literally Buff, Golden Laced, Partridge, Silver big, fluffy balls of feathers. They Laced, White. are mainly kept as an ornamental Standard weights: Cock—11 pounds, fowl and are well suited to close hen—8½ pounds, cockerel—9 confinement. The profuse leg and pounds, pullet—7 pounds. foot feathering makes it desirable to confine Cochins on wet days and Skin color: Yellow. where yards become muddy. This Eggshell color: Brown. keeps the birds from becoming Use: Mainly an ornamental fowl, mired or collecting balls of mud on but their ability as mothers is their feet. They exhibit extremely widely recognized and Cochins are persistent broodiness, are good frequently used as foster mothers for mothers, and are intense layers for Black Cochin female game birds and other species. short periods of time. Because of their feathering, it is necessary to Origin: Cochins came originally from clip some of the feathers or resort to China but underwent considerable artificial insemination to obtain good development in the U.S. and now are rates of fertility. found and admired in many parts of the world.

6 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION

Langshan Asiatic Class Varieties: Black, Blue, White. Characteristics: Langshans enjoyed Standard weights: Cock—9½ pounds, considerable popularity in the U.S. hen—7½ pounds, cockerel—8 during the latter part of the 19th pounds, pullet—6½ pounds. century. However, today they are primarily an exhibition fowl. They Skin color: White. appear to be very tall, with long legs Eggshell color: Brown. and tails carried at a high angle. They Use: A general-purpose fowl for the are active and quick. The black variety production of meat and eggs. The has a deep greenish sheen when general shape of the Langshan makes viewed in the proper light. Many them better suited to roaster and other breeds were created using capon use than as fryers. Langshan blood in the foundation matings. They are a good general Origins: Langshans originated in China breed; females go broody and make and are considered one of the oldest good mothers. Their feet and legs breeds. Black Langshan male are feathered but not as fully as the Cochins or Brahmas. Long legs and narrow body conformation leave much to be desired as a meat bird by today’s standards.

English Class Australorp Variety: Black. Characteristics: Australorps have Standard weights: Cock—8½ pounds, intense beetle-green sheen on the hen— 6½ pounds, cockerel—7½ black birds, dark eyes, deep bodies, pounds, pullet—5½ pounds. and are very active. They are one of the best dual-purpose fowls, Skin color: White. having gained attention in the Eggshell color: Brown. 1930s and ‘40s by being one side of Australorp male Use: Generally a very good egg the successful Austra-White cross. producer with a fairly meaty body of This cross of Australorp and White intermediate size. Leghorn became the successor to purebred breeds on many Origin: The Australorp was developed Midwestern farms. Broodiness was in Australia from Black Orpington a problem with the cross, and some stock. It is smaller than the Orpington markets discounted the tinted eggs with a trimmer appearance. they laid. Therefore, it soon fell victim to the inbred hybrid crosses of Hyline and DeKalb. Australorps are good egg producers and hold the world’s record for egg production with one hen having laid 364 eggs in 365 days under official Australian trapnest testing.

7 CHICKEN BREEDS & VARIETIES

Cornish Varieties: Buff, Dark, White, brows, and strong, slightly curved White Laced Red. beak give the Cornish a rather cruel Standard weights: Cock—10½ expression. Good Cornish are unique pounds, hen—8 pounds, and impressive birds to view. The cockerel—8½ pounds, pullet—6½ feathers are short and held closely pounds. to the body, and may show exposed areas of skin. Cornish need adequate Skin color: Yellow. protection during very cold weather Eggshell color: Light brown. as their feathers offer less insulation Use: Developed as the ultimate meat than can be found on most other bird, the Cornish has contributed chickens. Because of their short its genes to build the vast broiler feathers and wide compact bodies, industry of the world. Its muscle Cornish are deceptively heavy. Due development and arrangement give to their shape, good Cornish often excellent carcass shape. experience poor fertility and artificial mating may be an option. Cornish are Dark Cornish female Origin: Cornish were developed in the movers and need space to exercise county of Cornwall, England, where and develop their muscles. The old they were known as “Indian Games.” males get stiff in their legs if they They show the obvious influence of do not receive sufficient exercise. Malay and other oriental blood. They The females normally go broody, were prized for their large proportion but because of their very minimal of white meat and its fine texture. feathers they can cover relatively Characteristics: The Cornish has a few eggs. They are very protective broad, well-muscled body. Its legs mothers but are almost too active to are of large diameter and widely be good brood hens. spaced. The deep-set eyes, projecting

Orpington Varieties: Black, Blue, Buff, White. Characteristics: Orpingtons are heavily Standard weights: Cock—10 pounds, but loosely feathered, appearing hen—8 pounds, cockerel—8½ massive. Their feathering allows them pounds, pullet—7 pounds. to endure cold temperatures better than some other breeds. They exist Skin color: White. only in solid colors, are at home on Eggshell color: Brown to dark brown. free range or in relatively confined Use: A heavy dual-purpose fowl for the situations, and are docile. Hens production of both meat and eggs. exhibit broodiness and generally make good mothers. Chicks are not Origin: Orpingtons were developed in very aggressive and are often the England at the town of Orpington in Buff Orpington female underdogs when several breeds are County Kent during the 1880s. They brooded together. They are a good were brought to the U.S. in the 1890s general-use fowl. and gained popularity very rapidly due to their excellence as a meat bird. As the commercial broiler and roaster market developed, the Orpington lost out partly because of its white skin.

8 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION

Sussex Varieties: Light, Red, Speckled. Characteristics: Sussex are alert, Standard weights: Cock—9 pounds, attractive, and good foragers. hen—7 pounds, cockerel—7½ They have rectangular bodies; pounds, pullet—6 pounds. the speckled variety is especially attractive with its multicolored Skin color: White. plumage. Sussex go broody and Eggshell color: Brown. make good mothers. They combine Use: A general-purpose breed for both exhibition and utility virtues but producing meat and/or eggs. are more popular in Canada, England, and other parts of the world than in Origin: Sussex originated in the county Speckled Sussex female the U.S. of Sussex, England, where they were Photo: Leela Olson prized as a table fowl more than 100 years ago. They continue to be a popular fowl in Great Britain, and the light variety has figured prominently in the development of many of their commercial strains. Sussex is one of the oldest breeds that is still with us today in fair numbers.

Less popular breeds in the English Class Dorking: A good, general-purpose fowl Red Cap: A rare member of the English for producing meat and eggs. It was class, these are characterized by developed for its especially fine- having a large rose comb. They quality meat. Dorkings have five toes are one of the few breeds with red and are one of the breeds to have a earlobes that lay white-shelled eggs. red earlobe and lay a white-shelled egg. Varieties: Rose Comb: Cuckoo, White; Single Comb: Colored, Cuckoo, Red, Silver Grey.

9 CHICKEN BREEDS & VARIETIES Mediterranean Class

Andalusian Varieties: Blue. Characteristics: Andalusians are Standard weights: Cock—7 pounds, small, active, closely feathered birds hen—5½ pounds, cockerel—6 that tend to be noisy and rarely go pounds, pullet—4½ pounds. broody. Andalusians are a typical example of the unstable blue color Skin color: White. we see in the poultry industry. It Eggshell color: White. is the result of a cross of black and Use: An ornamental fowl with fairly white. When two blues are mated, good egg-production potential. they produce offspring in the ratio of one black, two blues, and one white. Blue Andalusian female Origin: Developed initially in Spain, the These whites and blacks when mated breed has undergone considerable together will produce mainly blues. development in England and the Andalusians are beautiful when United States. good, but the percentage of really good ones runs low in many flocks because of this color segregation. Hence, they are not widely bred and never in large numbers.

Leghorn Varieties: Rose Comb: Black, Buff, Dark Characteristics: A small, spritely, noisy Brown, Light Brown, Silver, White; bird with great style, Leghorns like to Single Comb: Black, Black Tailed Red, move about. They are good foragers Buff, Columbian, Dark Brown, Golden, and can often glean much of their Light Brown, Red, Silver, White. diet from ranging over fields and Standard weights: Cock—6 pounds, barnyards. Leghorns are capable of hen—4½ pounds, cockerel—5 considerable flight and often roost pounds, pullet—4 pounds. in trees if given the opportunity. Leghorns and their descendants are Skin color: Yellow. the most numerous breed we have in Rose Comb Light Brown Leghorn male Eggshell color: White. the United States today. The Leghorn Use: An egg-type chicken, Leghorns has relatively large head furnishings figured in the development of most (comb and wattles) and is noted for of our modern egg-type strains. egg production. Leghorns rarely go broody. Origin: Leghorns take their name from the city of Leghorn, Italy, where they are considered to have originated.

10 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION

Minorca Mediterranean Class Varieties: Rose Comb: Black, White; Characteristics: The largest of the Single Comb: Black, Buff, White. Mediterranean breeds, they are long, Standard weights (Single Comb angular birds that appear larger Black): Cock—9 pounds, hen—7½ than they are. They have long tails pounds, cockerel—7½ pounds, and large wide feathers closely held pullet—6½ pounds. to narrow bodies. Minorcas have relatively large combs and wattles. Standard weights (all others): Good Minorcas are stately, impressive Cock—8 pounds, hen—6½ pounds, birds and can give a fair return in cockerel—6½ pounds, pullet—5½ eggs, although in recent years they pounds. have not been intensively selected Skin color: White. for that purpose. They are rather poor Eggshell color: Chalky white. meat fowl because of their narrow, angular bodies and slow growth. Use: Developed for the production Minorcas rarely go broody, are very Single Comb Black Minorca female of very large chalk-white eggs, the alert, and are fairly good foragers. Minorca is today principally an exhibition fowl. Origin: Developed in the Mediterranean area where they take their name from an island off the coast of Spain. Development may have been as an offshoot of the Spanish breed.

White Faced Black Spanish Varieties: None. Characteristics: The large area of Standard weights: Cock—8 pounds, snow-white skin surrounding the face hen—6½ pounds, cockerel—6½ and wattles makes this breed unique. pounds, pullet—5½ pounds. Actually this is an overdeveloped earlobe. Its color offers a marked Skin color: White. contrast with the black plumage and Eggshell color: Chalky white. the red comb and wattles. They are Use: An egg production–type bird that considered non-broody and hold White Faced Black Spanish male has, in recent years, had very little their feathers close to their body selection for that purpose. contours. Photo: Mike Miller Origin: Coming from Spain, it arrived Spanish are active and noisy. Many in the U.S. via the Caribbean Islands. individuals are below recommended Spanish are the oldest breed of weight, and at this time, most of the chickens existent in the U.S. today. population is highly inbred. At one time known as “The Fowls of Seville,” they were very popular in the South during the Colonial period.

11 CHICKEN BREEDS & VARIETIES

Other breeds in the Mediterranean Class Ancona: Resemble Leghorns in shape Sicilian Buttercup: A small, spritely and size. They are small, active, alert, breed from Sicily, their chief and black with white-tipped feathers distinguishing feature is their cup- evenly distributed. Anconas are shaped comb. Sicilian Buttercups noisy, good foragers, and considered are non-broody, lay a fair number of non-broody. They were once a prime small eggs, and are kept strictly as egg-producing breed but today are ornamental fowl. mainly kept as an ornamental fowl. Varieties: Single Comb, Rose Comb. Catalana: The Buff Catalana is a Single Comb Acona female medium-sized bird noted for its hardiness. It is not well known in the United States but is widely distributed through South America. Catalanas come closer to being a dual-purpose breed than any of the other Mediterranean breeds.

Continental Class

The Continental Class is broken into three subgroups: Northern European (NE), Polish (P), and French (F).

Hamburg (NE) Varieties: Black, Golden Penciled, Characteristics: Hamburgs are active, Golden Spangled, Silver Penciled, flighty birds. They are trim and stylish Silver Spangled, White. with delicate features, and are wild Standard weights: Cock—5 pounds, in nature. They forage well and are hen—4 pounds, cockerel—4 pounds, capable of flying long distances. pullet—3½ pounds. Although good egg producers, their eggs are often very small. Skin color: White. Eggshell color: White. Silver Spangled Hamburg male and female Use: An ornamental fowl capable of laying fair numbers of relatively small eggs. Origin: Hamburgs carry a German name but are generally considered to have originated in Holland.

12 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION

Welsummer (NE) Varieties: None. Characteristics: These birds have Standard weights: Cock—7 pounds, very distinctive markings and hen—6 pounds, cockerel—6 pounds, coloring. While they are considered pullet—5 pounds. to be in the light bird class, these are big-bodied birds that will lay a Skin color: Yellow. good number of dark-brown eggs. Eggshell color: Dark brown. Welsummers are a non-sitting fowl. Use: Welsummers are primarily a Welsummer female laying-type fowl and produce a large dark-brown egg. Photo: Rachel Turgasen Origin: This Northern European breed gets its name from the Welsum Village in Holland.

Other Northern European breeds Barnevelder: This breed was Lakenvelder: An old German breed developed in the Barneveld region of best known for its color pattern Holland and has a distinctive double (black hackle and tail on a white lacing in the plumage. These birds body). They are quite small, non- have yellow skin and are good layers broody, lay white-shelled eggs and of dark-brown eggs. are rather wild and flighty. Campine: Existing in two varieties (Golden and Silver), the Campines are a fairly small, closely feathered breed with solid-colored hackles and barred bodies. They are chiefly an ornamental breed but will lay a fair number of white-shelled eggs and are non-broody. They are thought to have originated in Belgium.

Polish (P) Varieties: Bearded: Buff Laced, Golden, Characteristics: Polish are an unusual Silver, White; Non-Bearded: Black and beautiful breed. They have a Crested White, Buff Laced, Golden, crest (some also possess a beard Silver, White, White Crested Black, and muffs). They are small, tightly White Crested Blue. feathered birds and are fairly active Standard weights: Cock—6 pounds, despite restricted vision due to their hen—4½ pounds, cockerel—5 large “head gear.” They need plenty of pounds, pullet—4 pounds. space to avoid damaging each other’s crests by picking. Ice forming in their Skin color: White. crests from drinking water can be a Eggshell color: White. problem in cold weather. Sometimes Use: A strictly ornamental fowl. their crests restrict vision and cause them to be easily frightened. Origin: Probably Eastern Europe, although they are so old that their history has been obscured.

Non-Bearded White Crested Black Polish male 13 CHICKEN BREEDS & VARIETIES

Faverolle (F) Varieties: Salmon, White. Characteristics: An interesting breed Standard weights: Cock—8 pounds, that combines a beard and muffs hen—6½ pounds, cockerel—7 with a single comb and feathered pounds, pullet—5½ pounds. legs and feet. Faverolles are a medium-sized breed and fairly Skin color: White. loosely feathered, giving them a Eggshell color: Light brown. rather large appearance. They also Use: General-purpose fowl. Winter have a fifth toe on each foot and laying was one of the original while chiefly ornamental, do possess purposes of the breed. some utility characteristics as well. Origin: They were developed in Faverolles, France as a composite Salmon Faverolle male breed of Houdans, Dorkings, and Asiatic fowl.

Houdan (F) Varieties: Mottled, White. Characteristics: Houdans possess a Standard weights: Cock—8 pounds, crest, beard, and muffs and have five hen—5½ pounds, cockerel—7 toes on each foot. Their rectangular pounds, pullet—5½ pounds. bodies are set on fairly short legs. They are one of the better ornamental Skin color: White. breeds for general utility use. Because Eggshell color: White. of their crest, they require plenty Use: An ornamental fowl that is also a of space as well as feed and water good egg producer and fairly good as containers that prevent them from a meat bird. getting the crest wet and dirty, especially in cold weather. Because Origin: Houdans originated in France of the fifth toe, baby Houdans often where they enjoy a good reputation walk with a skipping gait. as a high-class table fowl.

Maran (F) Varieties: Black Copper, Wheaten, Characteristics: Marans are known White. for their egg color and size. The Standard weights: Cock—8 pounds, birds themselves are medium hen—6½ pounds, cockerel—7 sized and have a rugged farm bird pounds, pullet—5½ pounds. appearance. In the United States there have been two types of Marans Skin color: White. imported: the French type that the Eggshell color: Very dark reddish APA recognizes, which have lightly brown. feather shanks and toes, and the Use: General-purpose fowl, mainly “English” type, which has a clean leg. prized for extremely dark-colored For exhibition purposes the lack of eggshells. Also has a fine-textured feathering on the leg is considered a meat. disqualification. Origin: Marans originated in France along the marshy areas along the Atlantic coast. It is named after the port town of Marans. 14 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION

Other French breeds Crevecoeur: A very rare, crested breed. La Fleche: A very rare breed with a pair Solid black in color, Crevecoeurs are of spikes in place of a conventional strictly an ornamental fowl. comb. La Fleche are black, of medium size, and very active. They are strictly an ornamental fowl. All Other Standard Breeds (AOSB)

The Continental Class is broken into three subgroups: Games (G), Orientals (O), and Miscellaneous (M).

Old English Game (G) Varieties: Black, Black Breasted Red, Characteristics: A small, tightly Blue Breasted Red, Blue Golden feathered bird, Old English Games Duckwing, Blue Silver Duckwing, are very hardy, extremely active, and Brown Red, Crele, Golden Duckwing, very noisy. Old English have figured Lemon Blue, Red Pyle, Self Blue, Silver in the development of many other Duckwing, Spangled, White. breeds. The mature cocks should be Standard weights: Cock—5 pounds, dubbed (have the comb and wattles hen—4 pounds, cockerel—4 pounds, removed) with a characteristic cut. pullet—3½ pounds. This is in keeping with their heritage. Old English hens usually show Skin color: White. Black Breasted Red Old English Game male broodiness but are so small and Eggshell color: White or light tint. aggressive as well as defensive that Use: Old English Games are strictly an they are not always the best choice as ornamental fowl. mothers. Old English are capable of considerable flight and may revert to Origin: Old English Games are the a feral (wild) state in some areas. They modern-day descendants of the are the domestic breed most similar ancient fighting cocks. They are to the wild jungle fowl in appearance. associated with England, but their heritage is almost worldwide and they have changed little in shape or appearance in more than 1,000 years.

Modern Game (G) Varieties: Birchen, Black, Black Breasted Characteristics: A tightly feathered Red, Brown Red, Golden Duckwing, bird with long legs and neck, which Red Pyle, Silver Duckwing, Wheaten, give it a tall, slender appearance. White. The males of the Modern Games Standard weights: Cock—6 pounds, should have their combs and wattles hen—4½ pounds, cockerel—5 removed to enhance their long, slim pounds, pullet—4 pounds. shape. The feathers of Modern Games should be short, hard, and held very Skin color: White. close to their bodies. They do not Eggshell color: White or light tint. stand cold weather well because of Use: A strictly ornamental fowl. their short feathers and need plenty of exercise to maintain muscle tone. Origin: Modern Games were developed in Great Britain. Black Modern Game male 15 CHICKEN BREEDS & VARIETIES

Malay (O) Varieties: Black, Black Breasted Red, Characteristics: Malays are very tall Red Pyle, Spangled, Wheaten, White. and appear bold and perhaps cruel Standard weights: Cock—9 pounds, due to their projecting eyebrows. hen—7 pounds, cockerel—7 pounds, They are closely feathered with pullet—5 pounds. short feathers and carry their bodies inclined upward with tail low or Skin color: Yellow. drooping. They are rugged and have Eggshell color: Brown. a reputation for vigor and long life. Use: Strictly an ornamental fowl. They require exercise to maintain muscle tone and hardness of feather. Origin: A very old breed coming from Most hens will go broody but are not Asia, they have changed little in a good choice because their long legs modern times. don’t fit easily in a nest.

Sumatra (O) Varieties: Black, Blue. Characteristics: Sumatras are a Standard weights: Cock—5 pounds, distinctive fowl that look less hen—4 pounds, cockerel—4 pounds, like domestic poultry than other pullet—3½ pounds. chickens. They have rather long tails carried low enough to appear Skin color: Yellow. drooping. They have multiple spurs Eggshell color: White or light tint. on each leg, dark purple faces, and Use: Strictly an ornamental fowl. a high degree of greenish luster on jet-black plumage. Black Sumatra male Origin: They come from the island of Sumatra.

Other Oriental breeds Aseel: This is one of the older breeds requires special management and originates from India. These birds and facilities to maintain and have an upright carriage. They are accommodate the tail feathers. tightly feathered and heavily muscled Varieties: Silver, Golden. birds. Aseels grow slowly and can Shamo: The Shamo, like the Modern be very aggressive with other birds, Game, is very tall—almost vertical—in especially in confined areas. They lay stanchion and muscular. They have a light-brown egg and come in three very short, hard, tight feathers and a varieties: Black Breasted Red, Dark, very ancient expression. Shamo is the Spangled, Wheaten, White. foundation for many of the oriental/ Cubalaya: A hardy bird developed Thai fowl. Varieties include Black, Black in Cuba, they resemble a Sumatra Breasted Red, Dark, and Wheaten. in shape. Cubalayas exist in three Yokohama: This is another long- varieties: Black, Black Breasted tailed breed with many of the same Red, and White. They should be characteristics as the Phoenix. considered a strictly ornamental fowl. However, the Yokohama is more Wheaten Shamo female Phoenix: These are an ornamental fowl pheasant-like in its appearance and with extremely long tail feathers, and has more feather length extending actually have multiple feathers in the into the saddle area. They come in tail area. These birds are descendants Red Shoulder and White varieties. of the Japanese Onagadori. Phoenix

16 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EXTENSION

Ameraucana (M) Varieties: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Note that many hatcheries will sell Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, Ameraucanas/Easter eggers. Easter White. eggers are a cross of Ameraucanas Standard weights: Cock—6½ pounds, and another breed to get the desired hen—5½ pounds, cockerel—5½ egg color. Leg color is important on pounds, pullet—4½ pounds. this breed, and yellow soles on the feet are considered a disqualification. Skin color: White. Eggshell color: Blue/pastel. Use: General-purpose fowl for the production of colored eggs and meat Blue Ameraucana male quality. Origin: This relatively new breed was developed in the United States in the 1970s. They were developed from the Araucanas imported in the 1930s. These birds have a nice small pea comb and have beards and muffs. White Ameraucana female

Other miscellaneous breeds Sultan: Sultans come to us from Turkey. as they have far less insulation than They are strictly an ornamental fowl their normally feathered cousins. This of very distinctive appearance. They characteristic is a novel feature that are a white bird with a large crest, does not detract from the utility of muffs, and beard, together with the bird. Varieties: Black, Buff, Red, profuse feathering of the feet and White. legs. Araucana: These fowls were discovered Naked Neck: The Transylvania Naked in South America. A few were Neck is often called Turken. Some brought to the U.S. but have been people think it is a cross between crossed with other chickens so a chicken and a turkey because of much so that characteristics such the unfeathered area on the neck. as size and shape were dispersed. Black Naked Neck male This skin turns red when exposed The trait of laying blue or greenish to the sun, further paralleling the eggs persisted, and now breeders turkey. However, this is actually the are attempting to standardize the result of a single gene that affects physical makeup of the population the arrangement of feather-growing and gain them recognition as a tracts over the chicken’s body. It can breed. Some of the Araucanas were be easily introduced into any breed. rumpless and possessed some Naked Necks have no feathers on a interesting ear tufts. Probably at broad band between the shoulders some time in the future, these fowls and the base of the skull. They also will be developed into an interesting have a reduced number of feathers breed with both economic and on their bodies, but this is not ornamental attributes. Recognized evident until the bird is handled. varieties include Black, Black Breasted They should be given protection Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver from extremely cold temperatures Duckwing, and White.

17 Copyright © 2018 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System doing business as the division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. All rights reserved. Authors: John L. Skinner was emeritus professor of poultry science, University of Wisconsin–Madison and University of Wisconsin-Extension. Adam Hady is the UW-Extension Richland County agriculture agent. Cooperative Extension publications are subject to peer review. University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties, publishes this information to further the purpose of the May 8 and June 30, 1914, Acts of Congress. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin- Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. If you have a disability and require this information in an alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), please contact [email protected]. For communicative accommodations in languages other than English, please contact [email protected]. If you would like to submit a copyright request, please contact Cooperative Extension Publishing at 432 N. Lake St., Rm. 227, Madison, WI 53706; [email protected]; or (608) 263-2770 (711 for Relay). This publication is available from your county UW-Extension office (counties.uwex.edu) or from Cooperative Extension Publishing. To order, call toll-free 1-877-947-7827 or visit our website at learningstore.uwex.edu.

Chicken Breeds and Varieties (A2880) R-06-2018