There is a renaissance of interest in keeping backyard poultry. Every day more people decide to add chickens to their life. The most common question for these people is "Which breed is right for me?" The answer is not a one-size-fits-all response, but rather, to be accurate, is one that needs to consider the people, region, desired products and farming style.

The stunning Sultan chickens originated in Turkey, and according to legend, were used as living ornaments in Sultans' gardens. Photo by Cynthia Smith, Washington

Some things to ask yourself before getting the chickens are: What do I want the chickens to do? Lay eggs? If so, what color? Produce meat? Do I want a breed that likes to scratch a lot, or one that scratches very little? Do I prefer a calm breed or an active breed? How much space and how much freedom can I allow my chickens? What is the weather like in my region? Hot and humid? Extremely cold winters? What type of pens will I use for my chickens? Do I want a breed that will raise its own offspring? Do I want to help save a very rare breed? Which breeds do I find most attractive? The answer to these questions will help you make the best breed choice for yourself. But where, you may now be asking, can I go for good reliable information on chicken breeds to compare with my answers?

The Buckeye chicken is the only American breed created by a woman. Nettie Metcalf, Ohio, wanted a hard-working breed. The Buckeye is a good breed choice for climates with harsh winters. Photo by Jeannette Beranger/ALBC

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) has enlisted my help to update and complete its chicken breed profiles. Utilizing an extensive library of historical poultry literature and the experiences of various breeders of poultry, ALBC is compiling profiles of breeds that include such information as historic production rates, breed regional adaptations, modern and historic markets for breed products, breed personality and suitability for various production systems. The completed profiles represent a time consuming task of documenting the history and the characteristics for each of the 54 chicken breeds on the ALBC Conservation Priority List.

This effort has yielded many interesting facts. Did you know that Sultan chickens are originally from Turkey and were kept in the gardens of the Sultans? In Turkey they were called "Serai Taook" which translates as "Palace Fowl" or "Sultan's Fowl." According to legend, they were used as living ornaments in the gardens of Sultans. It is interesting to note that the first Sultans to reach England, surprisingly, were found to do less damage to grass runs than would be expected of a Cochin or Brahma chicken. Perhaps an ideal chicken breed for a small yard with a garden?

(Learn more about the Buckeye chicken in our library. Many other breed articles can also be found in this online library.— Ed.)

The Faverolle chicken breed was created to supply a Paris market with meat and winter eggs. They are broody and winter-hardy. Photo by Jeannette Beranger/ALBC

Buckeye chickens are the only American chicken breed entirely created by a woman — Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio, in 1896. The name "Buckeye" refers to the similarity in color of these red chickens with that of a buckeye nut, and, of course, Ohio being the "Buckeye State." Buckeyes are noted as being the most active of the American class of chickens — not surprising since Mrs. Metcalf set out to create a breed that would not be lazy, but rather would work to earn its keep. As a result, Buckeye chickens produce very dark, dark-meat sections when processed — very dark meat represents fast-twitch muscle, just as it does in wild game. Highly adaptable, Buckeye chickens are an excellent breed choice for areas with very cold winters.

Beautiful and fluffy, Faverolles chickens certainly rank high for the "cuteness" factor. But behind this breed is a history founded on production. The Faverolles chicken breed was created with a mind to meat production and the production of winter eggs to supply the Paris market. During the 1900s this breed was considered the best French chicken breed yet produced; quite an achievement considering the French have long paid a great deal of attention to meat and egg production in their chicken breeds. Faverolles chickens arrived in America about 1901 and the breed was met with much enthusiasm. Faverolles hens make excellent sitters and the breed does quite well in cool climates.

The Spanish chicken, with a striking white face and earlobes, came to America from Holland in 1825. Not suited for winter temperatures, it is a great breed option for hot, humid climates. Photo by Dyanna Byers, California

The true aristocrat of the poultry world is the Spanish chicken. While flighty as chicks, the adult chickens hold themselves much as Spanish Dons—often striking a pose: head up, one foot forward, calm. What sets this breed apart is the tremendously long white earlobes and white faces. One thinks of the "melting faces" of Spanish chickens and the artist Salvador Dali comes to mind. But Spanish chickens predate this artist considerably — being ancient and of unknown lineage. The breed came to America from Holland in 1825. It was widely popular for its ability to lay a very large number of very large white eggs. Not suited to Northern regions, the Spanish chicken is a great choice for hot and humid climates.

Need more help? Contact the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy at: P.O. Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312, 919-542-5704, or email albc@albc-usa.org. Their Program and Technical Support staff can help you pick a breed and their annual Breeders and Products Directory can help you find a source of quality stock. Abstracts for the chicken breeds are posted on ALBC's website. Simply visit www.albc-usa.org and click on the "Breed Information" button on the left of the page.

Don Schrider is a nationally recognized poultry breeder and expert. He has written for publications such as Backyard Poultry, Countryside and Small Stock Journal, Mother Earth News, Poultry Press, and the newsletter and poultry resources of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

Text © Don Schrider, 2011. All rights reserved.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect over 150 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction. For more information visit www.albc-usa.org.