24- Orpington:
The Orpington is one of the main ancestors of the world commercial egg laying record holder, the Australorp. The Orpington originated from the United Kingdom and averages 200- 220 eggs per year. The Orpington is also well known for its lazy traits, and although lazy, is well renowned for its dual ability to provide decent eggs and meat. The Orpington demonstrates good mothering abilities.
Classification
Soft feather – heavy
Appearance
Black, white, buff & blue
Average Weight
Rooster4.5 Kg
Hen3.6 – 4.8 Kg
Cockerel3.8 Kg
Pullet3.2 Kg
Bantam Variety Orpington
Rooster2.0 Kg
Hen1.6 Kg
Egg Colour
Brown
25 - Pekin bantam :
The Pekin Bantam has short legs and are fully feathered from head to toe. Arguably the most popular breed in Australia where there are breeders of 15 different varieties.
Classification
True Bantam
Appearance
12 different colours from black, blue mottled, buff to white.
Weight
Cock680 g
Hen570 g
Egg Colour
White or cream
33 - Sussex :
As its name might suggest, the Sussex originates from the United Kingdom. It is a great breed for either meat or eggs, depending on how it has been bred. Though not as efficient as the Australorp, the Sussex has the ability to lay up to 280 eggs annually. This breed has exceptional fertility rates and subsequently is easily broody. Due to its many feathers, the Sussex has a great ability to withstand the cold which makes it ideal for colder climates. It is not recommended for hot climates. The Sussex is a popular breed in Australia, especially the light Sussex variety. Its tail sits at a 45 degree angle from its body and its comb has five well-defined points.
Classification
Soft feather – heavy
Appearance
Varies from black, red to white with buff, speckled (oldest variety), silver, light, coronation. Beak colour may vary from horn to pinkish or white.
Weight
Cock4.1 Kg
Hen3.2 Kg
Cockerel3.4 Kg
Pullet2.7 Kg
Bantam Variety Sussex
Rooster1.5 Kg
Hen1.1 Kg
Egg Colour
Tinted brown
26 - Pit Game :
As its name suggests, the Pit Game is a descendant of the English fighting bird that was often used in cock-fighting which is now illegal in many countries, including Australia. The modern Pit Game bird is a descendant of the Old English Game, Aseel, Malay and possibly the Sumatra Game. Due to the nature of the sport which these birds were bred to compete in, the modern variety combines the best of both abilities to fight on the ground and in the air. The Pit Game is now used mainly for ornamental purposes and due to its heritage, is not a great egg layer.
Appearance
Black & tall
27 - Plymouth Rock :
The Plymouth rock is a very popular breed in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It is a friendly, hardy, dual purpose breed, which was originally used to produce commercial broilers. This breed demonstrates great mothering skills and on average produces 160-180 eggs per year. Due to these qualities, the Plymouth is an ideal bird for beginners.
Plymouth Rocks are large, long-lived chickens and there are many varieties. Some varieties are good layers while others are bred principally for meat. They have a long, broad back with a moderately deep, full breast. Their skin and legs are yellow. The face of a Plymouth Rock is red with red ear lobes, a bright yellow beak, bay-coloured eyes, and a single comb of moderate size. Their feathers are fairly loosely held but are not so long as to easily tangle. The hens usually make good mothers, have a deep, full abdomen (which is a sign of a good layer) and may show broodiness.
Plymouth Rocks tame quite easily because they are generally not aggressive. However, some males and females are big and active enough to be quite a problem if they become aggressive.
Breeders should be aware of the standard weights for the breeding pen. Characteristics to avoid when considering breeding include a shallow breast, small or narrow birds and birds with high tails.
Classification
Soft feather – heavy
Appearance
Barred (white with bluish tinge), black, buff, Columbian(restricts black pigmentation to neck striping, wing markings and tail) and white.
Average Weight
Cock3.4 – 4.3 Kg
Hen3.0 – 3.4 Kg
Cockerel3. 65 Kg
Pullet2.7 Kg
Bantam Variety Plymouth Rock
Rooster1.4 Kg
Hen1.2 Kg
Egg Colour
Brown & cream/tinted
28 - Polish :
The Polish is a European breed of chicken, which is believed to have originated in the Netherlands. The English language name of these birds is a misnomer, as they do not originate in the country of Poland. The Polish have a magnificent crest of feathers, which often resembles a hat, that covers almost the entire head of the bird. These large crests are due to a cone (called a protuberance) on the top of their skull. In addition to the crest, they have a small V – shaped comb with white ear lobes. They may be bearded or non-bearded. Due to these features, the Polish is bred primarily as a show bird, however they were originally egg layers. Current breeds of Polish lay few white eggs and do not display broodiness.
Classification
Light feather – soft
Appearance
A wide range of colours and combinations with crests that vary in size, shape and colour. Sometimes frizzled feathers. Colours: Black, blue, buff, golden, white, silver.
Weight
Cock3 Kg
Hen2.3 Kg
Bantam Variety Polish
Rooster680g – 790 g
Hen510g – 680 g
Egg Colour
White
29- Rhode Island :
Rhode Island chickens are a very popular dual purpose poultry breed. The Red variety is capable of producing 200- 250 large eggs annually, however the cock is very aggressive. This must be taken into account before choosing this particular breed as a pet or mixing it with other varieties. The Rhode Island has Yellow shanks and performs well under most conditions and rarely goes broody.
Classification
Soft feather – heavy
Appearance
Various shades of red with some black. There is also a white feathered Rhode Island (white is however very rare).
Estimated Weight
Cock3.9 Kg
Hen3.0 Kg
Cockerel3.4 Kg
Pullet2.5 Kg
Bantam Variety Rhode Island
Rooster790 – 910 g
Hen690 – 790 g
Egg Colour
Brown
30- Rosecomb :
The Rosecomb is an attractive small bantam which is lively by nature and is thus highly flighty. As a result, it is a breed more suitable for experienced poultry keepers instead of first time chicken keepers. They are not the best egg layer amongst the other fancy breeds however it is well-known for its succulent meat. The Rosecomb is an attractive bird and is subsequently utilised primarily for show. Rosecombs have large tails, white ear lobes and a large beaded rose comb extending backwards. Their face and wattles are cherry-red. In Australia, the black, blue and white varieties are the most popular.
Classification
True Bantam
Appearance
Black, blue white, black – breasted red, birchen,columbian and many other colour combinations.
Weight
Cock570 – 620 g
Hen450 – 510 g
Egg Colour
White or cream
31- Sebright:
The Sebright is a true bantam and for this reason it is best suited for ornamental purposes only. This breed originated in England and, like other smaller bantams, it is a poor egg producer as it only averages 140-160 eggs per year. Following generations of inbreeding, the Sebright’s egg fertility success rate is also considered to be quite poor, despite this, they do make good mothers of young chicks. The Sebright is an active, spirited bird which makes it a great flight risk, and therefore, the Sebright is not recommended for beginner poultry keepers.
Appearance
Gold & silver
Weight
Cock0. 650 Kg
Hen0. 566 Kg
Egg Colour
Creamy white
32 - Silkie :
The Silkie is an Asian bird that makes a great pet due to its stunning appearance and great gentle nature. Their feathers are distinctively fluffy, and as a consequence they must always be sheltered from the elements as their feathers are not waterproof. Though they are poor egg layers (approximately 120 eggs per year) they are generally broody birds and are often used to hatch eggs from other breeds. The Silkie is light weight for a non-bantam breed, but there is a miniature variety. They have five toes on each foot (most chickens have four), with the outer two toes feathered. Their skin, beak, bones and meat are atypically bluish-black in colour. There is a bearded variety with defined ear buff and beard. In Australia there are breeders of six different Silkie varieties.
Classification
Soft feather – light
Appearance
Black, blue, gold, grey, white, partridge with the plumage being silky and fluffy.
Weight
Cock1.8 Kg
Hen1.4 Kg
Miniature Silkie
Rooster600 g
Hen500 g
Egg Colour
Tinted or cream
35-Wyandotte :
Apart from its appearance, a major factor in favour of the Wyandotte is the ease of which these birds can be kept. This breed originated in the US and with the cooperation of the British, the Wyandotte is now a well-rounded dual purpose bird. The Wyandotte can be expected to lay approximately 180-200 eggs a year, which makes it a reasonable egg producer. The Wyandotte is also an excellent source of meat. The Hens are broody and take good care of their young. The Wyandotte is suited to cold conditions which makes it optimal for free-range production.
Classification
Soft feather – heavy
Appearance
White, Gold Laced and Siver Laced are the most common Wyandottes in Australia. The Wyandotte also exists in Black, buff & Columbian
Weight
Cock3.2 Kg
Hen2.95 Kg
Cockerel3.4 Kg
Pullet2.5 Kg
Bantam Variety Wyandotte
Rooster1.7 Kg
Hen1.3 Kg
Egg Colour
Brown
34- Welsummer:
The Welsummer lays large brown eggs however, it is a non sitter. Its head is small and its comb is upright and has evenly serrated points. It is a light, docile breed, with rustic-red and orange colouring. The Welsummer hens usually have gold hair-like feathers on their necks, as the cocks have a rusty-red on their necks. Representations of cockerels in the media are often based upon the “classic” Welsummer look, with the most common example of this being the Kelloggs Cornflakes rooster. Its eggs are dark-brown and spotty. There are three variations of the standard Welsummer, these are the Partrige, Silver Duckwing and the Gold Duckwing. There is also a Bantam Welsummer breed which is similar but lays light brown eggs and exists in both Partrige and Silver Duckwing colours.
Classification
Soft feather – light
Appearance
Various shades of brown black tail with beetle green sheen. Also silver duckwing. Cock is particularly colourful.
Weight
Cock3.2 Kg
Hen2.7 Kg
Bantam Variety Welsummer
Rooster1.2 Kg
Hen790 g
Egg Colour
Dark red – brown
For More Information and another good list og breeds :
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chicken_breeds
- www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breed-list.aspx
- www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Sultan-B104.aspx
- poultrykeeper.com/chicken-breeds/
