Interested in getting started with chickens but not sure what breeds are right for you? I can help! The list below is 100% my opinion based on the 30+ breeds I have had. These breeds are best for someone interested in backyard egg-layers or dual purpose breeds and not necessarily meat birds. While deciding what breeds to add to this list, I considered their temperament with humans and each other, egg-laying ability, and general ease of maintenance for the flock. They are not in order of which ones are the “Best”. Here are my top chicken breeds for beginners:
1.Black Sex-Link
Okay, so these are actually a mix of two breeds- the Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock. Those breeds are both well-known for being awesome egg layers and the Sex-Link is the best of both worlds. First off, they are inexpensive birds you can usually find at your local Tractor Supply or Rural King for about $5. As their name suggests, their color is linked to their sex, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally buying 5 roosters! Females will be a solid black color while males will have a white/ yellow dot on their head. As they age, their black adult feathers get a beautiful iridescent look and the hens grow some brown feathers around their chests and neck.
Hens start laying as early as 16 weeks old, so this breed can definitely start paying off earlier than others. They lay a medium to large brown egg and produce about 265-300 eggs per year. I have 3 of these ladies in my own backyard and they have been my most reliable layers for the past 2 years.
As far as temperament goes, these are very sweet birds. Some of them can be a bit skittish, but mine have never had an issue with being held and have never shown any aggression. The Black Sex Link chickens are great foragers and are very curious about their surroundings. They are great free-rangers, but they can be hard to keep out of your garden! I have had Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks as well, but in my experience the Sex-Links have been the most people friendly.
Black Sex-Links, like their parents, are very hardy birds that can tolerate harsh weather very well. I live in Indiana, were my girls have endured -20 degree Winters and 110 degree Summers. They are known to continue laying through the Winter with decent weather as well.
2. Plymouth Rocks
Plymouth Rock chickens are well known for being very docile birds that are a great chicken breed for beginners. If you are looking to avoid coop drama, the Plymouths typically get along with everyone. If you are wanting to have your family involved in raising chickens, Plymouth Rocks are usually very tolerant of being handled and even the Roosters can get along with children well.
When I was in 4th grade, I had a white Plymouth Rock hen who was quite the social butterfly. She would be spotted snuggled up with my goats or even in the dog house with my beagle! Since then, I have always kept a few around. While they aren’t necessarily known to be a very broody breed, I have had a couple of Plymouth Rock girls turn out to be excellent mothers. My Plymouth girls I have now are very affectionate and are happy to follow me around the yard and get pets.
Plymouth Rocks are another breed that lays medium to large, brown eggs. They average closer to 250-260 eggs per year. Plymouth Rocks are a good dual-purpose breed and are another breed that is easy to find for a good price. Plymouth Rock chickens also handle harsh weather very well, so you don’t have to go overboard keeping them warm in the Winter. Overall, they are a very easy going breed.
3. Australorps
Australorps may be harder to find and more expensive than other breeds on this list, but they are a fan-favorite breed. Australorp chickens have beautiful, black feathers with bright red combs and waddles. This breed originates in Australia, so they do great in warmer temperatures. Australorps are very similar to Orpingtons, they are heavy and full-feathered; this makes them a great option for colder climates as well.
The Australorp chicken is another breed that is great with kids thanks to their very docile nature. They are known to be very relaxed, quiet birds. Although they do fine in a coop, the Australorp is great at foraging around the yard for bugs and seeds. While they are very sweet with humans, I have heard that they can pick on other birds in their flock, so if you plan on raising other breeds, it may be best to raise them together to avoid fights when they are older.
Australorps are another excellent egg-layer. There is a lot of conflicting info out there about how many eggs they lay per year, but I think it is safe to put them in the 300ish range for warmer climates and closer to 250 for colder areas. If you are looking for some hens to hangout around the backyard and lay large, brown eggs, I would definitely recommend the Australorp.
4. Orpington
How could I mention the Australorp and not the Orpington?! The Orpington is the Australorp’s big cousin. The Orpington is the largest breed on this list and looks even larger thanks to it’s very fluffy plumage. Orpingtons come in several colors, so if you like a variety in your coop they are a great choice. Common Orpington colors include Buff, Lavender, Black, White, and Blue. They do not produce as many eggs as other common breeds, averaging closer to 200 per year. Since they are a larger bird, they are also often for meat. The Orpington is also a popular show bird, so are a great addition if your child is interested in showing poultry in 4H.
The Orpingtons that I have had aren’t necessarily affectionate, but they don’t mind me picking them up when I have to. Even though they look big and brawny, Orpington roosters have been known to be kind to humans and their hens. Thanks to their full, thick feathers, they are a great breed for those who live in colder climates. On the other hand, hot Summers can be hard on them, so they are not as hardy as some breeds. Overall, the Orpington is a beautiful breed that is easy going and they can make a decent pet. You can learn more about Orpingtons here.
5. ISA Brown
I debated on including the ISA or Rhode Island Red on this list, but the ISA Brown won in terms of egg production and temperament. The ISA Brown is another hybrid “breed” that is popular and easy to find from the major American hatcheries. The ISA Brown is going to be the best producer on this list with them laying up to 350 eggs per year! The fact that they were bred to be laying machines does have a major drawback though- their life expectancy is usually only 3-4 years. While many other breed can live for years after they are retired from laying, that is not what the ISAs were made to do. A short life span is tough for someone who is attached to their hens.
Because of their selective breeding for egg production, the ISA may be more prone to reproductive issues than other breeds on this list; if you choose to raise ISAs I would recommend doing some research on helping hens who become egg-bound or experience prolapse. I would not recommend the ISA Brown for someone looking to breed their hens in the future as these health issues can be worse in their offspring.
The ISA Browns are another friendly, non-aggressive breed and I have found them to be less skittish than their Rhode Island Red cousins. Like the Black Sex-Links above, the ISA Brown’s sex are easily be distinguished as chicks (thanks to selective breeding), which makes picking out hens easy. They grow up to be curious birds who will love some time to roam the backyard each day. The ISA Brown gets along well with other kind breeds, but can get picked on if you are mixing them with less social breeds. The ISA Brown is another quiet bird who would be perfect for a family looking to add a small coop to the back yard.