So you’re thinking about getting chickens! Deciding to own chickens is a big decision but so is deciding to own any animal whether it be a dog, cat, cow, or turtle. Careful consideration for the needs of the animal you intend to own should to be at the forefront or your decision making process and the purchase of any animal should never be an impulse buy. However, it’s probably a rare occasion that someone, at least an adult someone, would spend days, weeks, or even months doing research only to discover a reason beyond repair that they are not a match for whatever animal they longed to care for. I applaud anyone who is willing to acknowledge their current situation and pass on a pet that doesn’t fit the farm or lack thereof. I’m sure more of us would have a herd of cattle or a flock of sheep if we just had the acreage. So yes, deciding whether or not to own chickens justifies some critical thinking, discussion, and perhaps a little debating in the event everyone in your household is not on the same page yet.
Once the decision has been made that a flock of chickens is a good fit for you and everyone involved, the decision making process regarding all things chicken is a cake walk…right? Well, that’s debatable too. Don’t get me wrong, this can be a fun process because you have the chickens to look forward to, as that decision has been painstakingly thought out and approved, but there are other decisions to be made. Do I build a coop or buy one? What size should the coop be? How many nest boxes should the coop have? What kind of feeder do I need? Again, I get the potential anxiety here because you want everything perfect for your flock, which I promise no one achieves, and when you were originally researching information about raising chickens you thought you were getting 5 chickens but now your spouse has convinced you that what you really need is a flock of 10. I completely get it! Even after raising chickens on and off for over 30 years I understand why someone who has never raised chickens would worry about preparing for something they are so excited about doing.
Here’s what I don’t understand, at least I don’t completely understand. Why could someone be so indecisive about which breed or breeds of chickens to have in their flock? If you’re starting a business and investing in a commercial flock to make a living then I get the concern even though there are obvious choices when it comes down to which breed is the most prolific egg layer, think White Leghorn. However, if your livelihood does not depend on your flock churning out eggs at max capacity then you can relax in knowing that there’s almost no wrong breed of chicken but (there’s always a but) some breeds that are simply better than others. What I mean to say is that there are some breeds that are better choices than others especially for anyone that has never raised chickens before.
Rare breed and exotic chickens have become wildly popular over the last decade specifically to those who already have a flock and are looking to expand both their flock size and diversity. If you on the other hand have never raised chickens before then technically you could say that all chickens are rare and exotic to you, so why go down the road less traveled on your very first journey? It’s not about playing it safe, it’s about discovering something special that maybe others know about and have visited with but you have not yet had the pleasure till now. Millions of people have visited the Grand Canyon but that doesn’t make it any less grand when you finally arrive to view it for the first time. Tried and true breeds like the Barred Plymouth Rock are as American as apple pie and there’s something special about a breed of chicken that has been an important part of our great American history with poultry. Don’t let anyone convince you that the Barred Plymouth Rock is boring and that you need something a little more exotic. What’s wrong with a beautiful black and white striped chicken with a calm and friendly disposition that lays three to five delicious large brown eggs each week? Absolutely nothing if you ask me.
Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m a bit of sucker for the classics. Classic movies, classic cars, and yes, classic chickens too! Classic things are not boring, classic chickens are not boring, and classic dogs are not boring. That’s right, you could argue that there are “classic” dogs, breeds that are just as popular today as they were 40 years ago. Imagine if you decided to get a dog and you brought home a Labrador retriever, one of the most recognized breeds in America by anyone’s measure. So now there’s this cute little fluffy puppy running around tripping on its own ears while chasing its tail and your friend comes over for a visit and says “BORING!” “Why would you get such a boring dog?” That’s not going to happen and if it does…rethink your friendship! That’s not going to happen with a classic breed of chicken either. Besides, you didn’t get into this to impress people with your collection of rare species on display like an eccentric billionaire on his island stocked with animals that you would struggle to find at any major zoo. This is your adventure and this is your flock. If this is your first time raising chickens, I can guarantee you will be just as mesmerized while watching a classic Barred Plymouth Rock or Rhode Island Red scratching and pecking around your backyard as you would with any other breed of chicken. In fact, how cool is it to know you may likely have some of the same breeds that grandma or even great grandma used to throw scratch to back on the farm when she was just a child.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m just as curious and enchanted by the idea of having a rare or exotic breed in my flock but I’ve also had the privilege and pleasure to raise and care for many of the classics for much of my life. I welcome you to explore that path anytime you choose but I would be remiss if I wasn’t an advocate for what I believe is the best option for any beginner. The option that makes a big decision an easy one. The option that offers little risk but a lot of reward. So what are the breeds that I would recommend as tried and true classic chicken breeds? Check out this list containing a dozen of my favorite “classic” breeds.
Classic American Tried & True Breeds
1) Barred Plymouth Rock – Baseball, Apple Pie, and Barred Plymouth Rocks
2) White Plymouth Rock
3) Silver Laced Wyandotte
4) Black Jersey Giant – If you think bigger is better than think Black Jersey Giant
5) Rhode Island Red
6) Golden Laced Wyandotte
7) New Hampshire Red
8) Delaware
9) White Leghorn – A little skittish but boy can they produce white eggs!
Classic Tried & True Breeds
1) Buff Orpington – Get my vote for “Most Calm & Gentle Breed” (England)
2) Black Australorp – This black feathered chicken from down under is a prolific brown egg layer (Australia)
3) Cuckoo Maran – Lay beautiful chocolate brown eggs (France)
Congratulations...you’ve decided to get chickens! Whatever breed or breeds of chickens you decide on now is your decision and I can only conclude that your thoughtfulness during this process will make the experience for you and your flock an amazing one.
Not sure where to get started? Try Cackle Hatchery, a family owned and operated hatchery that's been hatching and shipping chicks since 1936. With over 200 varieties of poultry, you're sure to find what your're looking for!