While “chicken” may seem generic, there are numerous breeds. Different varieties have been designed specifically to serve various functions – each type exhibiting its own individual personality traits and needs.
As an example, certain chickens tend to be friendlier than others due to personality traits or breed/color choices.
Brabanter
Brabanter chickens hail from the historic region of Brabant which spans Belgium and the Netherlands. Melchior d’Hondecoeter painted these ancient breeds during his 17th-century paintings of Brabant. Unfortunately, however, by early 1900’s this beautiful breed nearly went extinct; but thanks to hardworking Dutch poultry men, this beautiful breed received another chance and recreated them by 1920.
Brabanter chickens may appear beautiful, but they’re actually easy to raise and excellent egg layers. Additionally, they lay eggs throughout winter thanks to being cold-tolerant – an attribute popular with farmers raising chickens for both meat and eggs. Gentle birds, they get along well with most breeds of chicken while remaining relatively quiet compared to urban keepers or those living nearby.
The Brabanter stands out with its distinctive V-shaped comb crest and beard, which covers its wattles and small white earlobes. Furthermore, its head feathers have crazy shapes while it boasts slate blue legs.
This rare breed has experienced tremendous growth across the US as more backyard chicken keepers become aware of their existence. They’re gorgeous to look at and great companions – yet may be unsuitable for first-time chicken owners due to their potentially unpredictable behaviour.
Crevecoeur
Crevecoeur chickens are an exceptional looking breed with their prominent beards and crests. These features, actually bone knobs on their skulls, vary between hens. Crevecoeurs make excellent egg layers due to their superior egg production as well as being cold-hardy enough to fit various management styles well.
Though Crevecoeur chickens are considered heritage birds, they can also be raised for meat production. Their dark meat is considered delicious. Crevecoeur chickens tend to be large birds weighing around six pounds for female hens and eight pounds for roosters; Crevecoeur chickens tend to be highly active and energetic individuals that do well when free ranging large spaces.
Although Crevecoeur hens can tolerate confinement, many owners have noticed that their flock seems happier when allowed to roam freely across their yard or garden. Crevecoeur chickens make great foragers and enjoy working compost piles; they may scratch up gardens if you want to protect plants with sensitive foliage from them though so be wary if this is important for you.
Crevecoeur chickens are very adept fliers and have been known to scale fences. Because of this, if possible, provide your Crevecoeur chickens with a covered run; this will prevent their feathers and beards from getting wet, making them susceptible to parasites and diseases; it will also allow them to roost higher up for increased protection against predators and bad weather; otherwise consider trimming or taping their beards or crests instead.
Chantecler
Chantecler chickens were developed in Canada by Brother Wilfrid Chatelain and are known for their ability to survive harsh winter climates as well as their gentle temperament and personable characteristics. Although this dual-purpose breed is impressive, its buff variant has yet to be accepted by the American Poultry Association.
Chanteclers are large chicken breeds, with male roosters weighing up to 9 pounds and females producing up to 7.5 pounds of eggs each month. Their feathers lie tight against their bodies to help them remain cold hardy and resist frostbite; furthermore they feature yellow skin with small wattles, beaks, and combs – as well as exceptional egg production with little upkeep required! In addition to being cold hardy chickens they’re known for excellent egg production as well as low maintenance requirements!
Chanteclers are well known for being calm and gentle creatures, which is what has contributed to their widespread appeal among poultry enthusiasts. Additionally, they make great foragers that thrive in free range environments – an asset for backyard farmers looking to expand their flocks.
The white variety of this breed was first made public in 1918 after its creation through crossing Dark Cornishes, White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, and White Wyandottes. Subsequently in 1930 came the Partridge Chantecler breed which was created through breeding Dark Cornishes with brown Leghorns and Partridge Cochins; admitted into the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection by 1921 and noted for both its large size and ability to withstand cold climates. If you are looking for something special as a pet, here are some other expensive chicken breeds on MSN.com.
Dorking
If you’re searching for an exceptional backyard chicken breed that produces ample meat and eggs while being low maintenance, look no further than Dorkings! Not only are they known to have high meat production rates but they’re also resilient against internal and external parasites as well as not easily being shoved off their food by pushier chicken breeds of other breeds.
Dorking chickens are one of the oldest purebred British breeds, named after a town in England where it originated as table bird breed. Bred for table use in Kent, Surrey and Sussex as table birds for consumption as table fare, Dorkings are now widely popular across all three counties of Kent Surrey Sussex with female Dorking hens boasting boxy bodies featuring well-developed breasts with extra meatiness around their wishbone areas, short legs with plump thighs. Male roosters typically possess medium to large single rose combs featuring well developed wattles and red earlobes whereas male roosters feature medium to large rose combs with well-developed wattles as well as red earlobes on male roosters boast medium to large single or rose combs along with well-developed wattles accompanied by well developed wattles as well as red earlobes.
All Dorking chickens possess five toes, which is rather unique among poultry breeds. This feature may have served as an indicator in early sales comparisons where buyers would select only those they believed to be superior birds.
Dorkings may be relatively rare in America, but you may still find them available at some live poultry outlets and farms, poultry shows, and breeder clubs. When selecting a breeder to buy from, look for one who provides multiple colors and sexes; additionally it’s essential to provide ample space in their coop – allocate at least 20 square feet per regular-sized Dorking.