It’s all about talent, looks, and personality

Chicken breeds come in all sizes, shapes, colors, and fabulous plumage styles, from tiny bantams with feathered feet, to “furry” silkies, to Polish breeds sporting “big hair” that any ‘80s rock star would envy. Most breeds lay brown eggs, while some lay white eggs (all Leghorns, and Minorcas and Anconas).



Araucanas lay eggs in hues of either green, blue, or pink (depending on the bird). These “Easter Egg” chickens were popularized by Martha Stewart, who found inspiration in their designer eggs colors. Some larger breeds are particularly well adapted to extremely cold climates (looks for breeds described as “heavy” and “tightly feathered”). The variations are incredible; pick up photographer Stephen Green-Armytage’s coffee-table book Extraordinary Chickens for 167 portraits of exotic chicken breeds.

If you’re looking forward to fresh eggs every morning, be sure to select breeds developed for egg production not meat production, or choose “dual purpose” birds, such as Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Rocks, and Reds. Or, just ask the staff at the feed store where you buy the chicks what they recommend.

Breeds also have distinct personalities. Silkies are known to be sweet-tempered and make particularly good pets. (Silkies are also excellent mothers—some breeders keep silkies to hatch and raise other hens’ chicks). Australorps are inquisitive and outgoing. If a tranquil backyard idyll is your vision, get calm, sedate breeds (such as Buff Orpingtons, Australorps, or Silkies) - not nervous breeds such as Sicilian Buttercups or Sebrights.