Color: Various shades of blue, green, olive, brown, cream, and pink
Temperament: Varies; usually very friendly, docile, easily handled
Hardiness: Cold-hardy
Varieties: Varies
Jersey Giant
Description: The Jersey Giant is indeed from New Jersey and indeed giant. Developed with the intention to replace the turkey as a table bird, this dual-purpose chicken takes about eight to nine months to reach maturity (compare that with other meat birds’ six weeks of growing time). As their name implies, they are the largest chicken breed—roosters weigh in at around 10 lb. (5 kg) and hens around 8 lb. (4 kg). Due to their size, they’re not the most economical layer in terms of feed conversion, but they lay better than most large breeds and do bear confinement well, a perk for small backyard coops and spaces. The Giant’s easy-going disposition is another reason it makes a great small-flock bird. Black was the original color for Jersey Giants, but they are now recognized in White and Blue as well. This heritage breed is under “Watch” status on The Livestock Conservancy’s Priority List.
Productivity: Good to very good
Egg Color: Brown
Temperament: Gentle, mellow, good-natured, easily handled; bears confinement well
Hardiness: Cold-hardy
Varieties: Black, white, blue
New Hampshire
Description: Introduced in 1935, the New Hampshire chicken is a relatively new American breed as well. Deviated from the Rhode Island Red and named for its state of origin (It’s just “New Hampshire”; “New Hampshire Red” is actually a misnomer), the New Hampshire is a dual-purpose medium-sized bird with a single comb. Its plumage is a coppery red with more gold than Rhode Island Reds. Hens are fairly good layers of medium-sized brown eggs, are prone to go broody, and make excellent mothers. New Hampshires have a “Watch” designation on The Livestock Conservancy’s Priority List.
Productivity: Good to very good
Egg Color: Light brown to medium brown
Temperament: Calm, docile, easily handled
Hardiness: Cold-hardy
Varieties: Light brownish red
Orpington
Description: This English dual-purpose breed hails from the town of Orpington in Kent, from which it gets its name. The Orpington is an excellent dual-purpose bird; the hens are first-rate layers of a light brown egg, and both sexes are incredibly cold-hardy thanks to their fluffy, loose feathers (those loose feathers also make the bird look heftier than she actually is). The Orpington breed is recognized in several color varieties, with Buff, a beautiful golden-yellow color, being the most popular. Like the Australorp, this breed has “Recovering” status on The Livestock Conservancy’s Priority List. They are a favorite of family flocks and a perfect breed for children to care for due to their gentle nature.
Productivity: Very good to excellent
Egg Color: Very light brown
Temperament: Very calm, docile, sweet, gentle, easily handled
Hardiness: Cold-hardy
Varieties: Buff, black, blue, white
Plymouth Rock
Description: As far as American heritage breeds go, the Plymouth Rock has it all: She is hardy but docile, fares well in colder weather, produces an excellent number of brown eggs, and has a winning personality. Named for the location where the Pilgrims supposedly made landfall, this dual-purpose bird was once the most popular chicken in America. If you’re thinking of a bird to set and hatch a clutch of eggs, the Plymouth Rock makes an excellent broody hen and mother. While many colors are accepted for the breed standard, the Barred variety was the original and remains the most recognizable for the breed today. The Plymouth Rock is “Recovering” on The Livestock Conservancy’s Priority List.
Productivity: Very good to excellent
Egg Color: Light, with a pink tint, to medium brown
Temperament: Friendly, docile, curious
Hardiness: Cold-hardy
Varieties: Barred, white, buff, silver-penciled, partridge, Columbian, blue
Rhode Island Red
Description: The Rhode Island Red is a classic. Perhaps the most popular American chicken and the most well-known domesticated fowl around the world, the Rhode Island Red is an egg-laying rock star. The breed was developed in its namesake state of Rhode Island and is now the official state bird as well. Hens lay a medium-brown egg and are incredibly curious, friendly, and personable. Roosters can become aggressive, however, and are not recommended around children. The common Rhode Island Red available today through most hatcheries is a lighter brownish red than the older, non-production strain, which has “Recovering” status on The Livestock Conservancy’s Priority List. Either strain you end up with, this bird is a classic addition to the backyard flock.
Productivity: Excellent
Egg Color: Brown
Temperament: Friendly, curious, sometimes flighty; males can be aggressive
Hardiness: Cold-hardy
Varieties: Red only (Rhode Island white a separate breed)
Sussex
Description: The Sussex is a nearly perfect homesteading chicken. While they are dual-purpose (many heritage breeds are, as you’re learning), Sussex hens are reliable layers and have a reputation for laying dependably through winter. As far as housing goes, they’re flexible; they bear confinement well (and don’t eat as much as some other breeds); or, if left to pasture, they will actively forage for their dinner. They’re friendly and very curious by nature. The Speckled variety has a unique feather pattern that effectively camouflages the bird from most predators—a boon when free-ranging. On The Livestock Conservancy’s Priority List, the Sussex is also categorized as “Recovering.”
Productivity: Good to very good
Egg Color: Cream to light brown
Temperament: Curious, friendly, mellow, active; bears confinement well or actively forages
Hardiness: Very cold hardy
Varieties: Speckled, red, light
Welsumer
Description: The Welsumer is a beautiful breed. Hens sport a partridge feather pattern in a rainbow of browns and golds, and the Welsumer rooster isn’t too hard on the eyes either. He was made famous as Cornelius the rooster on the Kellogg’s Corn Flakes box in the company’s 1950s ad campaign and is usually the bird that springs to mind when you think of a “rooster.” Temperamentally, the Welsumer is an intelligent, active, and friendly
