Ameraucana FS PB Club Black, Blue, Blue- Wheaten, Brown- Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, & White Easter Eggers Are Common. Stand

wheaten, Brown- Large: All not be genetically related to the Various brooder confinement or free red, Buff, Silver, Other Araucana. One theory is that shades of white with range; mostly calm,

Ameraucana Wheaten, & White Ameraucanas were developed blue & slate very cold non-aggressive FS PB club Bantam : All by crossing Aracaunas with blue- colored hardy Easter Eggers are Other other breeds. The more current, green shanks Our Birds [mostly

common. Standard more accepted theory is that a moderately mongrel Easter The chipmunky average to Ameraucanas are Clean Legged different breed from Chile, the red early maturing Eggers]: a few have blue-egger. above rare. 80% / 12% Quechua, was the parent stock been among the most average (EEs/pure) from which the Ameraucanas curious & most easily Unchanged since PC: Not were developed. Standardized handled birds we have 2003 recognized & accepted into APA in 1984. owned. Others have been calm, non- Standard: Note : whatever name they use, aggressive, but stand- 5.5 lb/2.5 kg Layer most hatcheries do not sell offish. None of ours Bantam: Fancy: standard Ameraucanas, but sell has gone broody. We 1.6 lb/0.75 kg Muffed, Easter Eggers -- chickens that wouldn't have a flock Bearded may lay blue, green, or other without them. colored eggs, but do not conform to standard. Not a problem for backyard flocks. Black mottled, APA (1898): Developed in Italy in mid-19th single, also non-setter prefers free range; Ancona only Large: century probably from leghorns white to rose nervous & restless in FS AL PP Mediterranean sporting mottled feathers. Once light cream generally confinement; flyer; Uncommon. Bantam: rivaled the Leghorn in Europe, yellow hardy; active, flighty, marked 40% Unchanged Single Comb but never caught on in North skin & very cold wildness, avoids human since 2003 Clean Legged America. shanks hardy except contact Almost a PC : Soft below for combs Leghorn, with Standard: Feather Light average white black mottling. 4.5 lb/2 kg early maturing Bantam: Layer hens 1.5 lb/0.7 kg Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Blue (Black and APA (1874): Developed in Spain & England single mostly a non- semi-adaptable to Splash [White] Large: in mid-19th century. Studied by setter confinement, but

used for breeding, Mediterranean Gregor Mendel in experiments chalk to white skin, prefers free range;

but not recognized) in genetics & heredity. creamy white slate blue Heat tolerant; active, flighty, noisy, Andalusian Bantam: Blue color does not breed true. shanks combs subject avoids human contact FS AL PP Uncommon. Bird. Single Comb Black & Splash (White) are to frostbite; Our Birds: ours, 32% Unchanged necessary for breeding. white ours were not received as adults, since 2003 Clean Legged robust, but that never fit in well with PC : Light, may not be the rest of the flock & Standard: Rare representative were nervous all the 5.5 lb/2.4 kg of the breed. time. Our one cock The original above Bantam: crowed louder than any blue. average 1.75 lb/0.8 kg Layer early maturing other we've ever had. Fancy: We've been hesitant to Blue feathered try them again, but we might, since they are such beautiful birds. Appenzeller Spitzhauben APA: Not Developed in Switzerland horn, V- can be broody not very tolerant of or Appenzell (Pointed Hood) recognized centuries ago. The name is shaped, close confinement; white FS PP club & Barthuhner PC: Soft thought to derive from the lace duplex very cold flyer; active, flighty (Bearded) Feather Light bonnets of the Appenzeller hardy, The national average region. white skin, except may breed of Spitzhauben rare; Layer blue have Switzerland. Barthuhner Fancy: shanks problems practically Crested with freezing unknown or Bearded bluish crest feathers white 8% /0% early maturing (spitz/barth) Unchanged since 2003

4 lb/1.8 kg

Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Araucana or Black, White, Black APA (1976): According to the latest theory, pea good, or well adaptable to

Rumpless Breasted Red, Blue, Large: All developed in Chile from a cross frequent, confinement or free blue Araucana Buff, Silver Other between the Collonca and the yellow skin, brooder range; calm, non- only FS PP PB club Bantam : All Queteros, two of several different willow aggressive Purebreds are very Other Clean blue egg-laying chicken breeds and shanks Cold hardy. The rumpless, below rare. Legged introduced to North American in Araucanas carry tufted blue- 0% Unchanged PC: Light, Rare 1921. Likely that some average red a "lethal gene" egger. since 2003 "mongrelization" occurred before which causes Layer standardization. Standards differ one quarter of Standard: Fancy: from country to country, indicating chicks to die in 5 lb/2.2 kg Rumpless that some different crosses and the shell. Bantam: Ear Tufts parent stock may have been 1.4 lb/0.65 kg involved in the development of the moderately breed. early maturing

Note: no large North American hatchery, that I am aware of, sells Araucanas. Instead, whatever name they use, they are selling Easter Eggers -- chickens that may lay blue, green, or other colored eggs. For true Aracaunas, try some of the smaller farms and breeders. Black, White, APA: Developed in India more than 2000 small pea can be broody, bears confinement better

Duckwing, Red Large: All years ago, perhaps even 3500 years protective than most other game Spangled, Pyle, Other ago. Thought to be the breed from lightly yellow skin mothers breeds; extremely fierce Aseel or Asil others PC: Hard which the Cornish was primarily tinted & shanks & pugnacious, but docile FS AL PP PB Feather Heavy developed. hardy, but not & easily handled when Very rare. productive red feathered for away from other cocks; 4% over short cold winters; because of Unchanged since Game season very hardy in aggressiveness, not 2003 high heat recommended for a mixed flock Ancient Indian Standard: below slow to mature athlete. 5 lb/2.2 kg average Bantam: 2 lb/0.9 kg Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Black, only APA (1929): Developed in 20th century in single can be broody; well adaptable to (standard); also Large: Englis Australia, primarily from the good mother confinement or free blue & white h Bantam: Orpington. Gained notoriety range; calm, docile;

Single Comb when one hen in the 1920s laid a white skin, very hardy; more easily handled Australorp or brown Black Common Clean Legged record 364 eggs in 365 days. In dark very cold Australorp 80% Down since PC: Soft earlier "contests," a team of six shanks hardy Our Birds: confession: FS AL PP club 2003 Feather Heavy Australorps averaged 309.5 eggs we have both Black in a year. That individual moderately Orpingtons and The purported Standard: performance has never been average red early maturing Australorps, and I can't egg-laying 6.5 lb/2.9 kg Dual Purpose matched by subsequent tell them apart. They champ from Oz Bantam: Australorps. are docile, but haven't 2 lb/0.9 kg Not recommended if high egg been close to what production is your sole goal for some call "friendly." getting chickens. Double-laced, APA (2001): single mixed reports well adaptable to

Blue-laced, White, Large: Developed in late 19th century on confinement or free Black, others Continental and early 20th century in very dark yellow setting & range; calm, docile Holland for dark egg laying. Barnevelder PC : Soft reddish skin & brooding Developed from an older local FS PP Rare, but surging Feather Heavy brown, shanks Our Birds: ours fit in with new interest variety that may date as early as with matte less cold well with the flock, but in dark egg layers. the 12th century. In recent finish red hardy; shied away with human

12% Up since Dual Purpose history, some strains have been developed in contact. Ours laid Famous for large average to 2003 bred for show and others for the region known reddish brown eggs, dark brown eggs. above darkness of their eggs. for damp but most were not average Standard: conditions especially dark. None 6-7 lb/2.7-3.2 kg currently in our flock, Bantam: slow to we will likely try them 2.25 lb/1.0 kg mature, again. & some chicks can be easily bullied

Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Belgian Quail, Porcelain, APA (1949): Developed in Anver region of rose good, or active, flyer; hens calm, D'Anver, or Black, Blue, Buff, Bantam: Rose Belgium many decades ago. frequent, cocks can be aggressive Antwerp Cuckoo, Mille Comb Clean Rumpless versions are called De white skin, brooder creamy Belgian, Barbu Fleur, White, Legged Grubbe. Breed is often referred dark white d'Anvers Mottled, and more PC: True to simply as the Quail bantam, shanks robust FS PP Bantam after the most popular variety. Common 60% white slow; some Up from 33% in reports 2003 Bantam indicate The bearded Bearded tiny chicks difficult bantam. True bantam: to rear 1.3 lb/0.6 kg

great brooder tolerates confinement; Belgian D'Uccle Mille Fleur, APA (1914): First bred in Uccle (Belgium) small (or annoyingly fliers; calm, cocks less creamy or Barbu Porcelain, Black, Bantam: before 1900 by Michel Van single with too frequent aggressive than other white d'Uccle Buff, White, Blue Feather Gelder. Breed is often referred large brooder) banties FS PP club Mottled, Splash, Legged to simply as Mille Fleur, the spikes Golden Neck, PC: True most popular variety. hardy; others Bantam / Rare because of white skin fancy Common & shanks feathering, 80%/33.3% (mille Bantam not suited for fleur /porcelain) Bearded white foul weather The bearded, Mille Fleur down Feather Footed tiny booted bantam from 93% in 2003 very slow to mature True bantam: for full 1.3 lb/0.55 kg coloring

Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Booted or Black, Blue, Buff, APA: One of the more ancient single great brooder tolerates confinement;

Sabelpoot Mille Fleur, Bantam: bantams; developed in the creamy (or annoyingly fliers; hens calm, cocks FS PP club Porcelain, White, Feather Netherlands. white white skin too frequent can be aggressive

Mottled, others Legged & shanks brooder) PC : True Very rare 0% Bantam, Rare bright red hardy The booted, Unchanged since unbearded 2003 Bantam tiny slow; some bantam Feather Footed reports True bantam: indicate 1.4 lb/0.65 kg chicks difficult to rear Light, Dark, Buff APA (1874): Origin has been in dispute for more pea good, or Adaptable to Large: Asiatic than a century and a half. frequent, confinement or free

Bantam : Introduced in mid-19th century yellow brooder range; mostly gentle; Brahma Once common, Feather (whether first to New York City or brown skin & more easily handled.

FS PP PB now uncommon. Legged London is also in question). shanks robust; very Probably imported from the port 40%/48% (light/all PC: Soft hardy in heat Our Birds: some hens Large and regal. city of Shanghai, but may have average other) feather Heavy originated in China, India, or red & cold were among the Once the largest Lights down , elsewhere in the East Indies. gentlest birds we've breed of chicken. others up since Another claim is that the breed was slow to mature owned; one rooster 2003 developed in the United States became too aggressive Dual Purpose using Cochins, Malays, and toward humans and Standard: [formerly Dorkings. For more information on other chickens in his 9 lb/4.1 kg Meat] the origins, see Lewis Wright's older age. Some hens Bantam: Fancy: 1873 monograph on the Brahma ate a lot, got fat, and 2.6 lb/1.2 kg Feather fowl. never laid that many Footed, Before the name Brahma was eggs, and we do not settled on, they were also called outside only currently have any in Chittagongs, Shanghais (as were the Cochins), and Brahmapootras. our flock. Since the Brahmaputra River flows through China, India, and Bangladesh, even the name doesn't help shed light. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Nut brown, only APA (1904): Developed by Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of pea can be broody Adaptable to

Large: Warren, Ohio, in late 19th century to confinement, very

American be a red-feathered, winter-hardy yellow very cold adaptable to free range; layer. Learning of the Rhode Island brown Buckeye Uncommon. PC: Not Red, she exchanged eggs and birds skin & hardy calm, docile; can be

FS AL club 44% recognized with RIR breeders to develop the shanks curious; more easily Up from 12% in Buckeye Red as a pea-combed moderately handled. Buckeye brown average 2003 variety of the Rhode Island Red. red slow maturing bird from the Dual Purpose However, since the comb differed, Our Birds: some have Buckeye state. 6.5 lb/2.9 kg the color was darker, and the genetics been among the different, and because she was "friendliest." Perhaps concerned that her birds would lose their distinctiveness as a variety of because of docileness, Rhode Island, she established the none have risen high in Buckeye as a separate breed -- the pecking order. Our Buckeyes and RIRs entered first Buckeye hens had separately into the Standard of low egg production, but Perfection the same year, and pea- more recent hens have combed RIRs disappeared. Never been much better. widely popular. Golden APA (1918): Originally developed in buttercup non-setter does not do well in close Large: Dedham, Massachusetts, by C. (mostly) confinement; very Mediterranean Carroll Loring from stock yellow fidgety; active, flighty, Buttercup or Uncommon. PC: Light, purchased in Sicily by his skin & heat tolerant; wild even for a white Sicilian 32% Rare neighbor a Captain Dawes, shanks combs subject Mediterranean breed; avoids human contact Buttercup Unchanged since before 1860, perhaps as early as to frostbite Our Birds: ours have FS PP club 2003 Layer 1835. It took several generations white been typically flighty and Known for its Fancy: longer for a standard color below early shy, but one has been as comb. 5 lb/2.2 kg Large pattern to be developed and the average maturing, stubbornly broody as any buttercup breed to be accepted into the but full comb hen we've raised. Email comb standard. takes longer collaboration of broodiness elsewhere has inspired me to alter Brooding from "non- setter" to non-setter (mostly) Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Golden, Silver APA (1914): May have ancient ancestry, but large non-setter economical eater; semi- Large: refined & further developed in single adaptable to Continental Belgium in the 19th century and hardy; comb confinement, but white Campine Uncommon. Bantam: further developed by British and white skin, subject to prefers free range; FS AL PP RB 32%/24% Single Comb American breeders. The breed is blue frostbite flyer; alert, lively; can Beautiful bird (golden/silver) Clean Legged closely related to the Braekel, a average shanks be curious; some are with unique Down since 2003 PC: Soft larger, bulkier Belgian breed that quick rather wild, others can penciling. feather Light did not spread so widely. They white feathering be quite tolerant of 5 lb/2.2 kg share a similar penciling feather but late humans pattern, although the Campine maturing Our Birds: one hen Layer cocks are more hen-feathered. free ranges even to lay Fancy: Some Named for the Campine region eggs -- never in a males are hen- of Belgium, known for its sandy standard nesting area. feathered plains, moors, heath, and Our cock refused to be wetlands. One theory is that it confined when we tried evolved there where a smaller, to initiate a breeding lighter more active bird was program. Some have better adapted to forage over a been "friendly" enough flat desolate land. The Campine, to eat out of a hand or however, may simply be a be a garden companion. lighter bodied Braekel sport. Our favorites among the white egg layers. Buff APA (1949): Developed in Spain in late 19th single non-setter less tolerant of close Catalana Large: century as a meat & egg bird. white to confinement; active, FS Mediterranean light tint yellow very hardy in vigorous, avoids human

Rare. Bantam: skin & heat contact The most average 12% Single Comb shanks popular breed of Up since 2003 Clean Legged early maturing South America. PC : Not white 6 lb/2.7 kg recognized

Layer Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) White, Buff, APA (1921): Developed by Brother Wilfred cushion frequent Bears confinement Partridge Large: Chatalain of the Oka brooder; good well; calm, docile,

American Agricultural Institute in Quebec brown yellow mother although there are Bantam : All over the course of a decade skin & reports of skittishness. Chantecler Rare, even in Other Clean beginning in 1908. The goal of shanks extremely cold FS AL club Canada. Legged his carefully documented hardy Our Birds: our Canada's breed. 16% PC: Not breeding was an "ideal fowl" for average to red partridges have blended Up since 2003 recognized Canada, good for both meat & above early maturing in so well they eggs and, with small comb and average remained rather 6.5 lb/2.9 kg wattles that would be able to anonymous for a long Dual Purpose stand the extreme cold. Brother time. One was a Wilfred, who earned a doctorate successful mother hen. in agronomy, was also Frequent broodiness responsible for developing the has been their most two flock method for breeding. common trait. Among the breeds used in the crosses were Cornish, Leghorn, Rhode Island, Wyandotte, and Plymouth Rock. Brother Wilfred's preferred plumage was white, and he was not responsible for developing the other varieties. In 1979, mistakenly, the Chantecler was declared extinct.

Dr. J. E. Wilkinson, also a Canadian, developed the Partridge Chantecler in the 1930s, but it is totally unrelated to the original White Chantecler. The Buff was developed by an American, Walter Franklin, in the 1980s. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Buff, White, APA (1874): Introduced from China in early small excellent well adaptable to

Cochin Black, & Partridge Large: Asiatic 19th century. Originally known single brooder (or confinement or free exceedingly FS AL PP PB Bantam : as the Shanghai (a name also tinted or range; calm, docile; Feather Legged annoying as a club Uncommon. 44% used for the Brahma). The breed yellowy yellow too frequent more easily handled Down from 64% in PC: Soft feather that launched interest in poultry brown skin & Heavy brooder); 2003 shows in the nineteenth century. shanks below good mother; Pekins are recognized as a Fancy: average often used as a Standard: Feather Footed, separate bantam breed in some red foster mother Big ball of fluff 8.5 lb/3.8 kg fully countries, rather than as bantam and feathers. Bantam (aka Cochins. robust, cold hardy Pekin): 1.3 lb/.6 kg

slow to mature White, Dark, White APA (1893): Developed in Cornwall in 19th pea can be broody; easily contained; less Cornish or Laced, Red, Buff Large: century. Now principally used protective active; very docile for a Indian Game English commercially for cross breeding light yellow mother game bird, noisy; FS PP club Uncommon. Bantam: All purposes for Cornish X Rock. brown skin & because of slowness 44% Other cold hardy Up since 2003 shanks and inability to well Clean Legged Famed meat defend themselves, not Standard: PC: Hard below moderately bird, especially Feather Heavy red early maturing recommended for a 8 lb/3.6 kg average mixed flock when crossed. Bantam: 2.6 lb/1.2 kg Meat Game Crevecoeur Black APA (1874): Developed in Normandy, during or horn, V- non-setter suited for close (and FS AL PP Large: before the 17th century. Believed to white shaped, dry) confinement; Continental be the oldest of several breeds duplex because of fancy active; can be Is it beautiful average feathering, Rare. Bantam: All hailing from Normandy, and aggressive and elegant, or not suited for 24% Other Clean therefore most likely a forebearer white skin, just peculiar- Legged of the others, including Houdans, dark shanks foul weather; Up since 2003 may have looking? PC: Heavy, Faverolles, and possibly La Fleche. Rare red [hidden problems with freezing crest 6.5 lb/3 kg Named after the village of Crève- by feathers] feathers Fancy: Crested Coeur en Ange, which might be Bearded & translated in English as Angel's moderately early muffed Heartbreak maturing Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Cubalaya Black-Breasted APA (1939): Developed in Cuba in 19th pea great, or very needs to be active; less FS AL Red, White, Black Large: All century from Philippine or white frequent, tolerant of close

Other Indonesian stock. white skin brooder confinement; Rare, but once PC: Not & shanks aggressiv e, noisy; unknown outside recognized not feathered because of Cuba's fighting the Caribbean. below white for cold aggressiveness, not meat bird. 20% Unchanged Game average winters; very recommended for a since 2003 hardy in heat mixed flock

4.5 lb/2 kg slow to mature White [Columbian] APA (1952): Developed by George Ellis in single can be broody Well adaptable to

Large: 1940 in Delaware while confinement or free Uncommon. American experimenting with crossing medium yellow robust; hardy range; calm, docile. 44% Bantam: breeds for broilers. An off- to rich skin & in heat & cold Our Birds: Where ours Up from 32% in Single Comb colored sport of a Barred Rock / brown shanks have stood out has been Delaware

2003 Clean Legged New Hampshire cross that bred early maturing for decent productivity FS AL club PC : Not true. red of very large eggs. A broiler cross Standard: recognized Unknown in most of the world. well above that became a 6.5 lb/2.9 kg average breed. Bantam: Dual Purpose 1.8 lb./0.8 kg Dominique Barred only APA (1874): Developed in New England in rose good, or well adaptable to

or Dominiker Large: early 19th century. Not brown freque nt, confinement or free FS AL PP Uncommon. American distinguished from the Barred yellow brooder; good range; calm mostly, but

44% Bantam: Rose Rock until APA Standards were skin & mother more flighty than other Claimant to title average Down from 52% in Comb Clean developed. Most modern shanks dual purpose breeds "America's first 2003 Legged Dominiques may be traced to robust; cold breed." PC : Soft stock developed by A. Q. Carter red hardy Standard: Feather after 1900. 5 lb/2.2 kg Heavy, Rare early maturing Bantam: 1.5 lb/0.7 kg Dual Purpose Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Silver Gray, White, APA (1874): Ancient; believed to have been rose & great brooder adaptable to

Colored Large: introduced to England by single (or annoyingly confinement or free creamy English Romans -- based primarily on a too frequent range; calm; docile; Silver uncommon, Bantam: description by a Roman writer of white to white skin brooder); stately or awkward; Dorking light tint FS PP RB club all others rare. Single Comb a chicken with five toes. May & good mother fattens easily; more 24%/4% (silver/all Clean Legged have origins in Normandy, shanks easily handled Short legged, other) Up since PC: Soft where other five-toed chicken below less hardy in Our Birds: ours have very ancient, 2003 feather Heavy landraces have been known. average to red general, varied from quiet & very English. average but cold hardy calm to flighty. Some Standard: Dual Purpose hens have been very 6.5 lb/2.9 kg Fancy: chicks broody. Once they've Bantam: Five-Toed delicate reached maturity, our 1.0 lb/0.8 kg Short legs & slow to birds have been quite mature hardy. They are supposed to be oddly short-legged, but ours have only be slightly short-legged. 11 recognized, APA (1992): Developed in the Netherlands, single good, or tolerates confinement;

Dutch including Light Bantam: perhaps from Dutch East Indies fre quent, fliers; active, lively, FS PP RF Brown, White, Single Comb stock. Introduced to North light white skin brooder; cocks have been Black, Blue, Blue Clean Legged America after WWII, declined, tint & white or protective compared to snapping

Light Brown, PC: True reintroduced in the 70s & 80s. blue mother turtles Silver Bantam shanks hardy Uncommon. white The littlest 33.3% Up from Bantam slow to mature tiny bantam. 0% in 2003

True bantam: 1.0 lb/0.45 kg

Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Salmon, White APA (1914): Developed in Normandy in early small can be broody bears confinement

Large: 19th century. Named after the single well; alert; calm; very creamy Once rare, still Continental village of Faverolles. In France cold hardy; docile; genteel; prone tint Faverolles uncommon. Bantam: it was considered a utility breed. white skin because of to bullying by others, FS AL PP 40% Feather The US standard more closely & fancy so may not do well in a Down since 2003 Legged matches the British exhibition shanks feathering, mixed flock The French PC : Soft standard of Faverolles which average not suited for Poodle of Standard: Feather Heavy was developed in the late 19th red foul weather Our Birds: ours did chicken breeds. 7.5 lb/3.4 kg century. Because of the different [hidden by not thrived well in the Bantam: Dual Purpose times and countries were the feathers] competition with mixed 2.2 lb/1.0 kg Fancy: breed was developed, it is not early maturing flock. Probably won't Bearded & clear what breeds were used, but replace them. muffed Houdon and/or Crevecoeur, and Feather footed, local five-toed landraces are outside only thought to have been its primary Five-Toed forebears. Dorking, Brahma, and Cochin were possibly used as well, especially in later developments. Fayoumi or Gold & silver APA: Not Ancient Egyptian origins; only single non-setter very economical eater;

Egyptian penciled recognized recently spread to the rest of the off-white does not like Fayoumi PC: Soft world. Iowa State's Poultry to light white skin, very hardy; containment; lively; FS PP feather Light Genetics Program imported tint dark excellent hot flighty, known for

Uncommon. them to the US after World War shanks weather bird wildness Precocious below 32% Unchanged II for a study to disease scavenger and average since 2003 Layer resistance. The Fayoumi was white quick escape artist. known for its resistance to avian feathering 3.5 lb/1.6 kg leukosis. It remained a "lab & very early animal" for many years before it maturing was promoted as an excellent layer. That claim, however, has since been disputed. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Silver-Spangled, APA (1874): Developed in Holland (not rose non-setter (or very economical eater; likes wide range; less tolerant of Golden-Spangled, Large: Germany) before 1700, possibly very rarely Golden-Penciled, Continental before 1400; may be even more white skin, broody) close confinement; high low-gloss flyer; very flighty; spritely, Hamburg or Silver-Penciled, Bantam: Rose ancient. An undocumented legend slate blue is that the first ever poultry white active; mostly avoids human Hamburgh White, Black Comb shanks hardy; cold contact exhibition that did not involve a FS PP club Clean Legged hardy Our Birds: ours have been cock fight occurred in an English very economical eaters, and The spritely, Uncommon. PC: Soft pub during the reign of King below white 36%/24% (silver- Feather Light very early in their prime laid well; little "everyday George III and featured only average even though smaller than layer." spang/all other) Pheasant Fowl cocks -- what we maturing most other hens, they have Silver spangled Layer know as Hamburgs. Other held their own in a mixed down from 56%, historical names include Yorkshire flock. We have one hen left others up slightly Pheasants, Moonies, Crescents, that was ten years old as of Corals & Everlayers. spring 2011. In her old age since 2003 she has mellowed and eats out of my hand every Standard: Decades before he wrote The morning. Because small 4 lb/1.8 kg Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum both white eggs are not Bantam: raised and wrote about Hamburgs. especially popular with most customers, we eat 1.5 lb/0.7 kg most of their eggs ourselves. Holland or White & Barred APA (1949): Established in 1949, after about 15 single can be broody well adaptable to American Large: years of breeding experiments, as an confinement or free Holland Rare. American improved Lamona, in other words, a white yellow cold hardy range; calm, good yellow skinned meat bird that laid FS AL 0%/16% Bantam: white eggs. The main improvement skin & tempered (white/barred) Single Comb shanks moderately The calm white- was it was heavier than the Lamona. average Up since 2003 Clean Legged slow maturing egger. One breed used had been imported PC : Not from Holland, but other American red 6.5 lb/2.9 kg recognized breeds, including the Lamona, were mixed in as well. The White and Dual Purpose Barred varieties were developed simultaneously, but different combinations of breeds were used. Unknown in Holland & most of the rest of world. There is speculation that White Hollands have faded out of existence. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Houdan White, Mottled APA (1874): Developed in Normandy before leaf (or V) can be broody bears confinement FS PP Large: 1700, most likely from a cross of white well; active; docile; Continental a local five-toed landrace and white skin, because of more easily handled The crested below Uncommon. Bantam: All the Crevecoeur, but possibly darker fancy French bird with average to 32% Other Polish and Dorking were used in shanks feathering, big eyes. average Unchanged since the breeding process. not suited for 2003 Clean Legged white foul weather; PC : Heavy, [hidden by may have Standard: Rare feathers] problems with 6-7 lb/2.7-3.2 kg freezing crest Bantam: Dual Purpose feathers 1.75 lb/0.8 kg Fancy: Crested early maturing Bearded Five-Toed Japanese or Black, White, APA (1874): Developed in Japan as early as large excellent tolerates confinement; Chabo (and still Black Tailed, Bantam: the 7th century perhaps from single brooder (or some are fliers; called Japs in Birchen, Mottled, Single Comb Indo-Chinese stock. First annoyingly too generally docile, cocks creamy some parts of others Clean Legged introduced to Europe in 1860. white skin frequent can be aggressive white the world) PC: True Truest bred carry a "lethal gene" & shanks brooder); FS PP Ba ntam which is also connected to the protective Common shortened leg characteristic. bright red mother 46.7% Unchanged since Bantam because of The short- 2003 Short legs short legs & legged, low- fancy tiny built, squirrel- True bantam: feathering, tailed bantam. 1.3 lb/0.6 kg not suited for foul weather

slow to mature

Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Jaerhon or Dark Brown, Light APA: Developed around 1920 in small non-setter adaptable to Norwegian Yellow Not Norway. First imported to North single confinement, but Jaerhon or recognized America in 1998. cold hardy prefers free range; Norske Rare, once PC: Not white white with active, flighty Jærhøne unknown. 4% Not recognized slate early maturing FS found in 2003 colored Layer shanks Pride of Norway. above Standard: average 3.5 lb/1.6 kg white Black, Mottled APA (1874): Developed in U.S. after being single good, or well adaptable to Java Large: introduced from Java in 1835 or frequent, confinement or free FS AL Rare, but there had American earlier. Peaked in popularity as brown yellow brooder range; calm

been reports that it Bantam: early as the 1880s, but not skin, A good, old average was critically Single Comb before being used in the dark cold hardy breed, like a fine endangered. Clean Legged development of several other shanks cup of coffee. 20% PC: Not breeds. very slow Up since 2003 recognized red maturing

7.5 lb/3.4 kg Dual Purpose Black, White APA (1922): Developed near Jobstown, New small occasional Because of size, not an Large: Jersey, in the 1870s by John and single brooder; economical eater;

Uncommon. American Thomas Black, who crossed brown protective adaptable to 48%/24% Bantam: several breeds, most likely Black yellow mother confinement or free

Jersey Giant (black/all other) Single Comb Javas, Black Langshans, and skin, range; calm, gentle, FS PP club Down since 2003 Clean Legged Dark Brahmas. Never widely dark robust; very more easily handled. The chicken PC : Heavy, popular commercially, for a average to shanks cold hardy Our Birds: never world's largest 10 lb/4.6 kg Rare several decades they were the above reached giant-sized breed. bird of choice for heavy roasting average red very slow to proportions; one gentle Dual Purpose capons. mature hen was among the Originally Black Giants referred easiest to pick up. We to the name of the brothers who don't currently have developed them, not for the any but may try them color of the breed. again. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Black, Blue, APA (1874): Dates back to France during or horn, V- non-setter well adaptable to La Fleche White, & Cuckoo Large: before the 17th century. It is tinted shaped, confinement or free FS PP Continental unclear if it is older and a parent white duplex hardy range; active, flighty, Bantam: All of the Crevecoeur, or if it avoids human contact above Rare. 16% Other worked the other way around. white skin, early maturing average Up since 2003 Clean Legged dark PC : Heavy, shanks The devil bird. 5.5 lb/2.5 kg Rare white Dual Purpose Fancy: Horns for a comb Black/white/black APA (1939): Developed in Germany in early single non-setter Well adaptable to pattern. Large: 19th century. Golden confinement or free

Continental Lakenvelders are not standard. white to white skin, hardy range; flyer; flighty, Uncommon. Bantam: Vorwerk is a bantam with the light tint dark avoids human contact. Lakenvelder FS PP 40%/28% Single Comb black/gold/black pattern. shanks early maturing Our Birds: never (silver/gold) Clean Legged sociable, but not easily Shadow on a Down since 2003 PC: Soft below white startled, either. If we sheet. average to feather Light get more, it will be average 4 lb/1.8 kg because they are Layer handsome birds. Lamona White APA (1933): Developed by Harry Lamon single FS Large: from 1912 to 1923 specifically white Extinct or verging American to be a breed that laid white eggs yellow The rare, average on extinction. Bantam: but could serve as a meat bird as skin & possibly extinct, 0% Single Comb well. For the American market, shanks yellow-skinned, Clean Legged it had to be yellow skinned. It is red-ear-lobed, 5.5 lb/2.5 kg PC: Not not clear how important to him red white-egg-laying recognized developing a white egg layer table bird. with red ear lobes was, but that Dual Purpose fact was well noted when the breed was first released. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Black, White, & APA (1883): Introduced from China in mid- single can be broody well adaptable to

Blue. Large: Asiatic 19th century. Major Croad confinem ent or free Bantam : introduced them to England & brown greyish very hardy; range; active for their Uncommon. Feather gave his name to an early variety [Croad white skin, cold hardy size; graceful; not as Langshan 32%/20% Legged of Langshans. In Europe & Langshans dark calm or docile as other FS AL PB (black/all other) PC: Soft elsewhere, distinctions are made once lay shanks slow to mature large breeds Unchanged since feather between Croad & Modern very Our Birds: One rooster 2003 Heavy Langshans. dark red was very personable brown] and had a lovely, deep

7.5 lb/3.4 kg Dual Purpose crowing voice. We The long-legged, average [formerly Meat] liked him better than high-tailed, and Fancy: the hens who have not feather-footed Feather Footed, stood out either in egg- regal bird. outside only laying nor personality. (some varieties are clean footed) White, Dark APA (1874): Ancient, but greatly developed large non-setter (or Economical eater; Brown, Light Large: in 19th & 20th centuries. Pearl single; very rarely better adaptable to Brown, Buff, Mediterranean Honored by the Romans, and the white also rose broody) confinement then some Leghorn Black, Silver, Red, Bantam: white variety was reportedly (non-white Mediterranean; enjoys FS PP PB RF Black-Tailed Red, Single Comb developed for use in ceremony feathered yellow hardy; heat free range; flyer; clubclub Columbian Clean Legged and foretelling the future. One of varieties are skin & tolerant (esc. flighty; spritely, noisy, PC : Soft the most popular birds around less prolific.) shanks white variety); nervous, usually avoids Common. 84%/80 Feather Light the globe. combs subject human contact. The ultimate egg above % (white/all other) white to frostbite Our Birds: Flighty machine. average Whites down since does describe them [commercial 2003 Layer very early pretty well, but they whites' are maturing aren't without especially Standard: personality. One of our large] 4.5 lb/2 kg first white Leghorns Bantam: would lead the pack in 1.75 lb/0.8 kg greeting us when we came home. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Black Breasted APA (1883): An ancient breed related to birds strawberry can be very needs to be active;

Red, White, Large: All indigenous to southern Asia broody intolerant of close Spangled, Black, Other from the Indian sub-continent to brown yellow confinement; among Malay and Red Pyle Bantam: All Indonesia. One of the first skin & hardy, but not the most aggressive, FS AL PP Other breeds to be introduced from productive shanks feathered for but more placid than Very rare Asia to Europe, the breed spread over short cold winters; most game birds; 4% Clean Legged quickly where cock fighting was season rich red very hardy in because of Unchanged since enjoyed. It was standardized in heat aggressiveness, not 2003 the U. K. before being recommended for a A cruel-looking, PC : Hard introduced to North America. very slow to mixed flock average elongated giant. 7 lb/3.2 kg Feather, Rare mature

Game Black Copper APA: (2011): Developed in France in early single great brooder Varies widely by

[APA], Cuckoo, Large: 20th century, but a Marans-type (or annoyingly individual and strain. and others Continental bird is said to have begun as dark white skin too frequent Marans early as the 13th century. chocolate & brooder) in Our Birds: We've only FS PP RF club Uncommon. PC: Soft Imported to North America from russett shanks some strains had clean-legged 36%/12% Feather Heavy both France, England, and brown Cuckoo Marans. Up from 4%/0% in elsewhere, post-WWII. red Developed in Although "cuckoo" was 2003 Layer Although the Cuckoo has been ideally, marsh lands, meant to describe Feather Footed the most prominent variety, the varies widely so apparently feather pattern, we Standard: Black Copper, for which there & seasonally tolerant of wet thought it fit the 6.5 lb/2.9 kg [US and was clearer consensus for a conditions. personality as well. Not Known for one average to Bantam: French standard, is the only variety Some rapid exactly wild, some thing -- above 2.2 lb/1.0 kg standard, but currently recognized by the and carely have been very active chocolate average Clean Footed APA. breeding have and somewhat difficult colored eggs. for English made some to manage. Others have standard] strains less been quite calm. None hardy than of ours have laid others. especially dark brown eggs.

Minorca Black, White, Buff APA (1888): Developed in Spain. Whether it single & non-setter adaptable to FS PP Large: was named for Minorca in the white rose confinement, but Uncommon. Mediterranean Balearics Island or actually excellent hot prefers free range; Largest above 28%/24% Bantam: developed there is uncertain. white skin, weather bird; restlessly active, Mediterranean, average (black/all other) Single Comb Once known as the Red-faced dark combs subject flighty, avoids human extra-large eggs. Blacks down from Clean Legged Black Spanish. In Spain the shanks to frostbite contact 44% in 2003 PC: Soft name of breed is spelled Feather Light Menorca, as is the island. white early maturing Standard: 7 lb/3.2 kg Layer Bantam: 1.75 lb/0.8 kg

Black-Breasted APA (1874): Developed in England in 19th large can be needs to be active; less

Modern Red, Silver Large: All century for exhibition, not for single broody; tolerant of close Game or Duckwing, Red Other cockfighting. white to (often protective confinement; Modern English Pyle, White, Black, Bantam: light tint dubbed) mother aggressive, noisy Game many others Game productive FS PP club PC : Hard yellow not feathered Rare. 12% Feather over short skin & for coldest season Down since 2003 shanks winters; hardy in heat; Standard: Game red some subject 4.5 lb/2 kg to health The little game Bantam: below problems bird with style 1.2 lb/0.55 kg average and carriage. slow to mature

Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Naked Neck or Black, White, Red, and APA (1965): Originated before 1700 in the single can be well adaptable to

Transylvanian Red are recognized by Large: All Transylvanian region of Central broody; confinement or free the APA, but other Naked Neck varieties include Blue Other Europe that is now part of creamy yellow good mother range; active; calm, or Turken and Cuckoo or Barred. Bantam: Romania. Further developed in light skin & docile; more easily FS PP Single Comb Austria and Germany. The brown shanks hardy in both handled

Uncommon. 44% Clean Legged naked neck trait possibly came cold and No, it's not a average to Unchanged since 2003 PC: Heavy, from game birds found in red extreme heat turkey / chicken above Rare Madagascar. First shown in cross. Standard: average 6 lb/2.7 kg Vienna in 1875 by breeders from slow to mature Bantam: Fancy: counties that are now part of 1.5 lb/0.7 kg Bare neck Romania. Light brownish APA (1935): Developed in New Hampshire large good, or well adaptable to red, only Large: from the Rhode Island Red in single occasional to confinement or free

American early 20th century. frequent, range; calm; can be light to New Common Bantam: yellow brooder; good docile or aggressive; can medium Hampshire or 60% Single Comb skin & mother be curious dark New Hampshire Down since 2003 shanks Our Birds: a few have brown been among our Red Clean Legged robust; hardy FS PP club Standard: PC: Heavy, red in heat & favorites. Addled 6.5 lb/2.9 kg cold; Adelaide was our first New Rare average to Bantam: combs subject hen to raise a brood of Hampshire's above 1.9 lb/0.85 kg to frostbite chicks. She earned her answer to Rhode average name for appearing to be Island. sc atter-brained at times very early Dual Purpose as a pullet, but when maturing older could almost seem affectionate -- maybe she was just very hungry. Several enjoyed keeping close to us while gardening. Some have been aggressive in maintaining their position in the pecking order. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Black-Breasted APA (1928): Developed in England in 19th & large excellent needs to be active; less

Red, Silver Large: All 20th century from ancient stock white to single brooder (or tolerant of close Old English Duckwing, Red Pyle, Other light tint (often annoyingly too confinement; Game White, Black, many Bantam: dubbed) frequent aggressive, self- FS PP others Game productive brooder); sufficient; noisy protective PC : Hard over short white skin Rare. 8% mother Feather season & shanks Up since 2003 hardy, but not Small fighting Standard: red feathered for below cocks and their 4 lb/1.8 kg Game coldest winters average mates. Bantam: 1.3 lb/0.6 kg slow to mature Red, White APA: Not Reportedly developed in Russia walnut non-setter adapts to confinement; Orloff or recognized in 18th century from Persian calm, but not docile, Russian Orloff Rare. 24% (dropped from stock. Once called Chlianskaia, light yellow hardy avoids human contact FS PP Up since 2003 Continental) current name probably derives brown skin &

PC: Heavy, from Count Orloff- legs slow to mature Rare below 6.0 lb/2.7 kg Techesmensky, a Russian Wild-looking average Fancy: breeder red thing Bearded & muffed Buff, Black, Blue, APA (1902): Originally developed by William single good, or adaptable to free range;

White Large: Cook in Orpington (County frequent, very adaptable to English Kent) the 1880s. Some varieties white skin brooder; confinement; docile; Buffs common, Bantam: Single developed by his daughter. brown & excellent more easily handled; can Orpington others rare. Comb be bullied

white or mother 84%/12% (buff/all Clean Legged Our Birds: ours have FS PP dark other) Unchanged PC: Soft been docile enough, and Big gentle bird. since 2003 Feather Heavy average to shanks hardy; very some have fit pretty low cold hardy above in the pecking order, but Standard: Dual Purpose average red none of ours have shown 8 lb/3.6 kg [formerly Meat] moderately the "friendliness" that Bantam: early maturing others have claimed for 2.2 lb/1 kg the breed. Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Creole, Partridge, APA: Not Rescued, or somewhat clavell non-setter well adaptable to free

recognized (carnation) Penedesenca Wheaten, Black developed, from ancient stock in very range; active; flighty; PC: Not dark very hardy in FS club Catalan district of Spain in 20th avoids human contact Rare. 8% recognized century. Penedesenca Negra red- white skin, heat brown blue-grey Not found in 2003 developed in 1980s. Layer shanks slow to mature The dark egg layer below average to average that wears a crown 4 lb/1.8 kg white Partridge; Silver APA (1965): Developed in Europe and the single can be broody, requires special Duckwing; White; Large: All U.S. from the Japanese long- protective housing or cages & other colors Other tailed breed called the yellow mothers high perches to Bantam : Single Onagadori. skin; accommodate long

Phoenix Uncommon. 32% Comb yellow or reportedly short tails; generally docile Down since 2003 Clean Legged lived; FS PP white to slate PC : Light Rare because of Honorable long- Standard: (not recognized tinted shanks fancy tail. 4 lb/1.8 kg separately from below feathering, Bantam: Yokohama) average red not suited for 1.75 lb/0.8 kg foul weather Fancy: Long-tailed slow to mature Barred, White, Buff, APA (1874): Developed in New England in small infrequent well adaptable to

Silver Penciled, Large: 19th century. single brooder; good confinement or free Partridge, American Once common on the light (or mother range; calm, docile; Columbian, Blue Bantam: homestead, still popular in the pinkish) to yellow more easily handled Plymouth Rock Single Comb backyard. medium skin & robust; very Our Birds: ours have Common FS PP Clean Legged brown shanks cold hardy been good, solid, 88%/64%/48%/24% PC: Soft dependable birds that (barred/white/ Feather Heavy red somewhat have blended in well Once upon a partridge/all other) above early maturing with the flock, not time America's Down since 2003 average standing out for good favorite breed. Standard: Dual Purpose or bad reasons. 7.5 lb/3.4 kg Bantam: 2.2 lb/1 kg Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Bearded & APA (1874): Originated in Europe, but varies small V non-setter bears confinement Beardless; Black, Large: probably not Poland, before the widely well; mixed reports -- Polish or White, Golden, Continental 16th century. Once known for white skin, some subject either calm or Poland Silver, Buff Laced Bantam: All good egg production, now to blue to health somewhat flighty; FS PP club Other almost strictly ornamental. shanks problems; obstructed vision can Uncommon. Clean Legged white because of hinder some activities;

48% PC: Soft white fancy can be bullied; mixed below Down from 56% in Feather Light feathering, reports on how well average 2003 not suited for they do in a mixed Fancy: foul weather; flock 4-4.5 lb/1.8-2 kg Crested | may have problems with Perhaps the freezing crest oldest of the feathers; crested breeds. special care may be needed since plumage blocks vision

Redcap or Red Red & black APA (1888): Developed in Derbyshire. very large non-setter can adapt to Cap or pattern, only Large: Englis spiked rose confinement; active Derbyshire hBantam: white Redcap Rose Comb white skin, hardy FS PP Rare. Clean Legged blue 8% PC: Soft shanks Think huge rose below Unchanged since feather Light moderately comb. average 2003 red early maturing Layer 6 lb/2.7 kg Fancy: Large rose comb Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Rhode Island Red APA(1904/19 Developed in New England in large infrequent well adaptable to

& Rhode Island 22) 19th century. single; brooder; confinement or free White (two separate Large: rich also rose can be dutiful range; active, calm & breeds) Rhode Island American medium mother fairly docile, can be Bantam : brown yellow aggressive (cocks are FS AL PP Common, but show Single Comb skin & robust; hardy especially notorious) quality reds are Clean Legged shanks in heat & Our Birds: we've had Best of breeds rare. 64%/28% above PC: Soft cold; very limited for producing (red/white) average Feather Heavy red combs subject experience, but the few brown eggs. Down since 2003 to frostbite hens we have had have Standard: Dual Purpose been more aggressive 6.5 lb/2.9 kg moderately than most other breeds. Bantam: early maturing 2 lb/0.9 kg Black, White, Silver APA (1874): Origins unclear & disputed. rose non-setter tolerates confinement; Rosecomb Laced, others. Bantam: Rose Claimed to be direct descendant white to fliers; generally docile, FS PP Comb Clean of the original Bantam, but may cream yellow hardy in heat cocks can be aggressive

Common. 46.7% Legged be related to Hamburg. skin & & cold Unchanged since The original PC: True shanks rosecombed, 2003 Bantam tiny Slow to clean-legged True bantam: white mature? bantam 1.3 lb/0.6 kg Bantam Silver, Golden APA (1874): Developed before 1810 in rose non-setter tolerates confinement; Sebright Bantam: Rose England by Sir John Sebright, creamy fliers; jaunty, sprightly FS PP club Common. Comb after thirty years of breeding. white yellow not robust;

80% Unchanged Clean Legged skin & chicks difficult since 2003 PC: True shanks to rear Bantam

The beautifully True bantam: Bantam tiny purplish slow to mature laced bantam 1.3 lb/0.6 kg Both male & red female hen- feathered Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Bearded & APA (1874): Already developed in China by walnut one of the adapts well to Silkie Beardless; Black, Bantam: the time of Marco Polo (13th most broody confinement; calm, FS White, Blue, Buff, Feather century) tinted black skin (or very docile; because of size

Partridge, Gray Legged Large & Bantam classes are & shanks annoyingly too and docility, may not PC : Soft recognized in some countries frequent do well in a mixed Very common. feathered turquoise brooder) flock 100% Light & Unchanged since Bantam both hardy in heat 2003 & cold; An oddity of B lack skin, because of oddities of the True bantam: face, comb, & below fancy poultry and pet 2.2 lb/1 kg wattles average feathering, world Hair-like not suited for plumage foul weather Turquoise earlobes slow to mature Five-Toed Crested Feather footed Spanish, White- White-Faced Black APA (1874): Oldest of the Mediterranean large non-setter adaptable to Faced Black only Large: breeds, developed in Spain. single confinement, but Spanish, Mediterranean reportedly prefers free range; Spanish White Uncommon. Bantam: grey skin, subject to flighty, haughty, noisy, white Ear, or 20% Single Comb dark health avoids human contact Clownface Up since 2003 Clean Legged shanks problems; heat FS PP PC : Light, tolerant; 6 lb/2.7 kg Rare white combs subject Handsome, above to frostbite graceful, rare. average Layer Fancy: slow to White face develop; white face takes more than a year Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) White, only APA (1874): Introduced from Turkey in mid- horn, V- non-setter suited for close Large: All 19th century. shaped, confinement; calm, Uncommon. 28% Other duplex not suited for non-aggressive; more Bantam: foul weather; easily handled Feather Legged white skin may have Sultan 4.0 lb/ 1.8 kg PC: Light, Rare white & shanks problems with FS PP below freezing crest All for show. Fancy: Crested White? feathers Bearded & average [hidden muffed under moderately Feather-footed, feathers slow developing fully Five toed Black (and Blue as APA (1883): small pea, An ancient breed, introduced can be broody; Needs to be active; of 2010 for standard, Large: All from Sumatra, but found white or tiny or no protective intolerant of close earlier for bantams) Other elsewhere in Indonesia. light tint wattles mother confinement; strong Bantam: All Sumatra Uncertain origins that may fliers if given the FS PP Uncommon 28% Other include more than one variety of more yellow skin not feathered opportunity; can be Down since 2003 Clean Legged & purply jungle fowl. Males can have productive for cold quite wild, but can be PC : Light, Rare than most black 4.0 lb/ 1.8 kg multiple spurs, a unique trait shanks winters; hardy "tamed." among domestic poultry. game hens in heat Game Lustrous black dark purply average long tail red Speckled, Red, Light APA (1914): Developed in county of Sussex single good brooder well adaptable to

Large: Englis in early 19th century. & mother confinement or free Uncommon. hBantam: creamy white skin range; calm; gentle; 44%/4% (speckled/ & shanks Sussex Single Comb to light robust; very active; can be curious; all other) Speckled Clean Legged brown cold hardy more easily handled FS PP RF club unchanged; others red PC: Soft Our Birds: a few have not found in 2003 Feather Heavy moderately been among our An old English average early maturing favorites for favorite Standard: 7 lb/3.2 kg Dual Purpose personality. Bantam: 2.2 lb/1 kg Breed (with links to Varieties / Rarity / Egg color & Comb Brooding other sites with What's a hen Class and Type Origins productivity; Skin color Hardiness Behavior images and more weigh? egg size Earlobes Maturing information) Red Partridge APA (2001): Developed in Holland in 20th small single mixed reports Well adaptable to

Large: century. on confinement or free range; Uncommon. 36% Continental yellow skin setting & lively, but more docile rich Up from 12% in PC: Soft dark & brooding than flighty. Welsumer or Our Birds: some of our 2003 Feather Light terracotta shanks Welsummer hens have laid solid dark brown hardy; cold FS PP club Standard: Dual Purpose red hardy brown eggs. Even more popular with many of our Backyard bird 6 lb/2.7 kg above average with big brown Bantam: moderately customers have been the eggs. 2 lb/0.9 kg early maturing very large speckled brown Welsumer eggs. Silver Laced, Golden APA (1883): Developed in New York State & rose infrequent Well adaptable to

Laced, White, Buff, Large: Wisconsin in late 19th century. brooder; confinement or free Partridge, Silvered American light yellow skin excellent range; calm. Penciled, Columbian Bantam: Rose to rich & mother Our Birds: Most of ours Comb brown shanks have been docile, but Wyandotte Common. Clean Legged robust; very some individuals have FS PP PB club 76%/56%/40% PC: Soft red cold hardy been aggressive. Most The "bird of (silver/gold/all Feather Heavy above have been aloof in terms curves." other) Silver and moderately of human contact. gold down, others up early maturing since 2003 Dual Purpose

Standard: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg Bantam: 2.2 lb/1 kg Red shouldered & APA: Called Yokohama from the port of walnut or can be broody, requires special housing white; White; other Large: All Other origin. Developed in Germany in pea protective or cages & high perches Bantam: All colors the 19th century from the Japanese mothers to accommodate long Other Yokohama long-tailed breed called the yellow skin tails; generally docile; Clean Legged because of fancy FS PP Very rare. 8% Minohiki. & shanks cocks can be pugnacious PC: Light Rare tinted feathering, Elegant long-tail. Up since 2003 around other cocks; below average white not suited for because of special needs, Fancy: 4 lb/ 1.8 kg foul weather not recommended for a Long-tailed mixed flock slow to mature