Fancy Chickens :
9- Dorking:
The Dorking originates from Great Britain and may date back to the Roman invasion of England. It was very popular for meat and eggs. They have an extra toe (5 in total), short legs and are excellent mothers. The Dorking has a rectangular body with very short legs. Due to its relatively large comb it generally requires protection from cold weather. Dorkings are also well known for their versatility as a breed for both egg and meat production. It is one of the few breeds with red earlobes that produces a white-shelled egg. The skin colour beneath the feathers is white. Furthermore, the breed is very docile. The bird has five recognised varieties: White, Silver-grey, Red, Dark and Cuckoo.
Classification
Soft feather-heavy
Appearance
The Dorking comes in several different colours. Silver grey, red, tail almost black, neck with black or grey or pure black.
Weight
Cock4.6 – 6.4 Kg
Hen3.6 – 4.6 Kg
Bantam Variety Dorking
Rooster1.1 – 1.4 Kg
Hen0.9 – 1.1 Kg
Egg Colour
White
Fancy Chicken Breeds :
It is not always easy to categorise a pure chicken breed. The chicken breed may be divided into a variety and again subdivided into a strain. Illustrations of a breed
may be taken as an example. For many birds, there will be variation in several characteristics, e.g., feather colour, comb type and leg length. Males are invariably bigger and more colourful than hens. Breeds are maintained by the rigorous standards of judging that are applied to fanciers at the many poultry shows held across Australia each year, as well as articles in magazines such as Australasian Poultry.
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Hard feather – heavy
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Soft feather – heavy
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Soft feather – light
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True bantam
Almost all breeds have miniatures. In some classifications, miniature breeds are also referred to as light breeds or bantams. They are normally exact replicas of their heavier counterpart. There are also those breeds which have reduced numbers of females (around 500 or less), which are classified as rare. Reference is sometimes made to pullets and hens, and cock and cockerels. In both cases the former refers to the bird before the first adult moult, which always weigh less than the mature or adult bird. Some breeds are reluctant to go broody and these are usually referred to as non sitters. The breeds described here are but a sample of what is available worldwide, but are those breeds which are likely to be of interest to Australian poultry keepers.
Fancy Chicken Breeds
1- Australorp
Australorp is an abbreviation of Australian black Orpington, and as the name would suggest, the Australorp is a breed that originated in Australia (in approximately 1890), from the English Orpington. The Australorp is well-suited to Australian conditions and is one of the most efficient egg layers as it averages over 300 eggs per hen per year in a commercial setting. However, backyard poultry producers should not expect more than 250 eggs a year. The Black Australorp is an ideal bird for free range production as they have a good temperament. Although they are renowned for their egg laying ability, the Australorp is a durable dual purpose breed as it is also suitable for meat.
Classification
Soft feather-heavy
Appearance
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Black with a green shine, or
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Pure white
Weight
Large Australorps
Cock3.9 – 4.7 Kg
Hen3.0 – 3.6 Kg
Cockerel3.2 – 3.6 Kg
Pullet3.3 – 4.20 Kg
Bantam Australorps
Cock1.2
Hen790g
Cockerel1.6 – 2.1 Kg
Pullet1.3 – 1. 9 Kg
Egg colour
Light brown/tinted
Painting Courtesy – Suz Craig & Ros Harvey: Roosters & Hens – for the appreciative eye, Ballyhay Books, 2006.
2-Ancona:
The Ancona originates from Italy and although this particular bird displays a tendency to be flighty, it is easy to train and makes a great breed for family and backyard producers. After a period of gentle care Ancona’s become alot more trusting, however, it is still necessary to either clip their wings or ensure that they are completely fenced in. Traditionally, the Ancona variety is not overly broody and if managed correctly can produce up to 250 eggs per year. There is also a bantam Ancona which weighs significantly less than the pure Ancona. The appearance of the Ancona is characterised by colouring that is black (referred to as ‘beetle-green’) mottled with white, has spread out toes and yellow legs mottled with black. The Ancona is thought to be related to the Leghorn and in Germany the breed is called Mottled Leghorns.
Classification
Soft feather – light
Origin
Mediterranean
Appearance
The Ancona is beetle green with white tips and a distinctive v-shaped marking on its feathers.
Weight
Cock2.7-3 Kg
Hen2.25 – 2.5 Kg
Bantam Variety Ancona
Rooster570g – 680 g
Hen510g – 620 g
Egg Colour
White to cream
Painting courtesy – C. S. Th. Van Gink’s: 1890-1968 Poultry Paintings,Beekbergen, WPSA. 1992.
Australorps schwarz, Europaschau Leipzig 2012
3- Andalusian :
The Andalusian originates from the Mediterranean. This breed is characterised by bright white earlobes, reddish-brown eyes, a non-sitter and is also a flighty bird. They particularly don’t like to be confined. Despite being clear blue with black lacing around the edges, some fanciers argue that the colour is actually black which can give the illusion of slate blue. Through the mating of two blue birds, it is possible to obtain offspring with black feathers and splash (mottling). The ideal colour is slate blue as the other two are not eligible to be shown.
Classification
Soft feather-light
Appearance
Clear blue with black lacing around the edges.
Weight
Cock3.2-3.6 Kg
Hen2.3 – 2.7 Kg
Bantam Variety Andalusian
Rooster680g – 790 g
Hen570g – 680 g
Egg Colour
White
4-Aracuana
Originating in Chile the Aracuana breed is characterised by tufts of feathers growing out on either side of the head like ‘mutton chops’. The Aracuana has a Small pea comb, very small bright red wattles and ear lobes. The ancestors of the modern Araucana chicken were purportedly first bred by the Araucanian Indians of Chile — hence the name “Araucana.” The Araucana is a hybrid of two South American breeds: the Collonca (a naturally blue-egg laying, rumpless, clean-faced chicken) and the Quetro (a pinkish-brown egg layer that is tailed and has ear-tufts). The Collonca male and female are very similar, with very few secondary sexual characteristics like comb, wattles or tail coverts to distinguish them. The European equivalent of the North American show standard variety Araucana is what one comes across in South American villages. Quechua and Mapuche do not have tufts and resemble the Ameraucana. The current world wide Araucana Standard (except North America) indicates a medium to large sized chicken with a tail that lays bluish-green eggs. Specific features are feather ear tufts, muffs and beards, with a very much reduced comb, a small feather crest and a complete absence of wattles. The current North American standard calls for a chicken that is rumpless (missing their last vertebrae and lacking a tail), possesses ear-tufts (feathers that grow out from near the birds’ ears), and lays blue eggs. In the United States and Canada, muffs, beards, and tails are all disqualifications.
Classification
Soft feather-light
Appearance
The Aracuana comes in a wide variety of colours from black, white, lavender to blue-red.
Weight
Cock2.7-3.2 Kg
Hen2.3 – 2.7 Kg
Bantam Variety Aracuana
Rooster740g – 850 g
Hen680g-790 g
Egg Colour
Blue or green
Image courtesy of NEEPA
5-Australian Game:
Originally developed from fighting strains, with a strong influence from Malay Game,
‘Aussie Games’ are large, solid and muscular. Their plumage is very hard and brittle.
Aracuana Cock
Aracuana Hen
6- Barnevelder:
Originating from Holland, the Barnevelder is a placid bird. Their initial attraction was their high numbers of large brown eggs. The Barnevelder has orange eyes with yellow legs and feet. Only one of the four coloured varieties are accepted by the American Poultry Association. Today, Barnevelders are bred both as a utility breed and a show breed. They are medium heavy dual-purpose chickens that lay a good number of eggs but also yield a reasonable body weight. They are hardy birds and good foragers. While they became famous for their dark brown eggs in the first half of the 20th century, most birds now appear to be in the hands of show breeders and not much attention has been given to maintaining the dark brown egg colour or to productivity with the focus being on external characteristics instead. Many flocks now lay eggs of a much lighter brown and are sometimes not quite as productive as befits their reputation. They are good winter layers and have a quiet disposition.
Classification
Soft feather-heavy
Appearance
The Barnevelder varies from red – brown with a black tip to some black feathers on the tail and neck accompanied with a beetle green sheen.
Weight
Cock3.2-3.8 Kg
Hen2.3 – 2.7 Kg
Bantam Variety Barnevelder
Rooster910 g
Hen740 g
Egg Colour
Dark brown
Hen
Cock
Showing a Complete List of 44 Chicken Breeds for a hobby farm
Cock
Hen
7- Brahama
The Brahama originates from Asia and is a large and versatile bird. They are easily broody , are placid and tolerate the cold very well. Brahamas are calm, friendly birds that make good pets or exhibition fowl. Males are calm and generally not aggressive towards humans. They are not skittish or easily scared, which makes them a popular choice for families with children. Due to their docile demeanour, Brahamas can be easily trained so that they can be handled by almost anyone. They should be hand trained when young because their large size makes them difficult to control in the early stages of training if they are full grown.
Classification
Soft feather-heavy
Appearance
Black, white, buff, dark and light. Feathered legs and feet.
Weight
Cock4.6 – 5.5 Kg
Hen3.2 – 4.1 Kg
Bantam Variety Brahama
Rooster1.8 Kg
Hen0.910 Kg
Egg Colour
Tinted
8- Campine :
A Belgian bird, the Campine do not often go broody, they are good layers but are a bit flighty. Their shanks and toes are leaden blue.
Classification
Soft feather – light
Appearance
The Campine’s head and neck is gold with the remainder of the bird being beetle – green (black), it can also have a white head and neck with the remainder also being beetle-green.
Weight
Cock2.7 Kg
Hen2.3 Kg
Bantam Variety Campine
Rooster680 g
Hen570 g
Egg Colour
White
Our Gold Campine Bantam Chicken
13-Houdan :
The Houdan, originally a French bird, has five toes which suggests that it may be related to the Dorking which also has a fifth toe. It has a full crest, beard and muffs, a comb that resembles a butterfly at the base of the beak, and small earlobes and wattles hidden by the crest and feather bearding. The red V- shaped comb sits against the bird’s crest. The Houdan is a glossy green black background with pure white mottles. It appeared in the first edition of the American Standard of Perfection in 1874 and was first exported to England in 1850, and to North America in 1865. With an attractive appearance, the Houdan combines the distinctive features of the breeds that contributed to its development. The Crèvecœur and Polish gave the Houdan its crest, and the Dorking (or perhaps other native French chickens) are thought to have resulted in the Houdan’s five toes (most chickens have only four).
In terms of plumage, the Houdan comes in two common colour varieties: White and Mottled (black with white spotting). Originally a dual–purpose fowl kept for both eggs and meat, the Houdan today is primarily a rare show bird. However, with a fairly quick rate of maturation and the ability to lay a respectable number of white eggs, it is still occasionally kept in backyard flocks.
Classification
Rare – heavy
Appearance
Glossy green black background with pure white mottles.
Weight
Cock3.2 – 3.6 Kg
Hen2.7 – 3.3 Kg
Bantam Variety Houdan
Rooster670 – 690g
Hen620 – 740g
Egg Colour
White
10-Faverolles:
Faverolles are good layers and are gentle and affectionate. In Australia there are keepers of two distinct varieties: The ermine (white with black) and the salmon coloured. Faverolles are classified as a heavy breed and have a beard, muffs, feathered feet, light leg feathering and five toes per foot, rather than the usual four. Faverolles are well adapted either confinement
or free range. When battery cages began to be used at the very beginning of the twentieth-century, Faverolles tolerated the close confinement better than the Houdan breed. Although primarily kept today as an ornamental and exhibition breed, it remains an excellent layer, as well as a fine meat chicken. Hens are good winter layers of medium-sized, light brown to pinkish eggs. Some cocks are the quietest of all breeds, and Faverolles are also known for their extreme docility. As a result, they tend to get bullied in a mixed flock for being so gentle and friendly. They thrive in groups with other Faverolles, or perhaps, with other docile breeds such as the Sussex. Because of their gentleness, Faverolles have become a popular breed of chicken to keep as a pet, especially for children. They are also enjoying increasing popularity with people who keep small home flocks and favour dual purpose breeds that are well suited to both egg production and use as meat.
Classification
Soft feather- heavy
Appearance
Faverolles can be several colours, black, laced blue, buff, cuckoo (bluish white barred, with irregular light and dark barred), salmon, ermine. Faverolles are also bearded and have muffs.
Weight
Cock4.1 – 5.0 Kg
Hen3.4 – 4.3 Kg
Bantam Variety Faverolles
Rooster1.1 – 1.4 Kg
Hen0.9 – 1.1 Kg
Egg Colour
Tinted
Blue / Salmon Faverolles
11-Frizzle:
The Frizzle is of Asian descent and is a purely exhibition breed. It is docile, poorly mobile and not a good layer. The plumage of the Frizzle gives the breed its name as it curls tightly backwards towards the head. This breed can be many colours from black, blue, buff or white.
Classification
Soft feather – heavy
Appearance
Black, blue, buff or white.
Weight
Cock3.2 – 3.0 Kg
Hen2.3 – 2.7 Kg
Bantam Variety Frizzle
Rooster690 – 790 g
Hen570 – 680 g
Egg Colour
Light Brown
Beautiful Frizzle Chicken
Frizzle Chicken
12- Hamburg/Hamburgh:
The Hamburg chicken variety originates from the Netherlands. Though small, these active birds are well renowned for their ability to lay up to 220 eggs a year. There are approximately 10 popular breeds of the Hamburg variety, some include the silver & golden spangled variety. The Hamburg display a high tendency to be nervous around people. Though ornamental in nature, the Hamburg is an efficient forager, however eggs produced are often quite small.
Classification
Soft feather – light
Appearance
Several colours; black with a green sheen, silver or gold spangled or pencilled varieties all with white ear lobes.
Weight
Cock1.8 – 2.3 Kg
Hen1.8 Kg
Cockerel2 Kg
Pullet1.75 Kg
Bantam Variety Hamburgh
Rooster680 – 790g
Hen620 – 740 g
Egg Colour
White
17- Belgian :
There are three distinct breeds of the Belgian poultry variety. These include,
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Belgian d’Anvers
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Belgian d’Uccle
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Belgian de Watermael
14-Indian Game
Indian Game, also known as Cornish Game, originate (as their alternative name suggests) from Cornwell, England. The rather large and stocky bird is not well know for their egg producing ability (they can produce 160-180 eggs per annum), but are decent table birds. Indian Game may not be suitable for backyard producers or enthusiasts as they require a substantial amount of space and require extra shelter as they tend to have thinner feathers than other breeds. They are generally aggressive birds, however they are relatively easy to handle. The Indian Game is highly prone to parasites.
Classification
Hard feather – heavy
Appearance
Indian Game are categorised into Dark Indian (base colour is black with green and bay or chestnut), Jubilee Indian (base colour chestnut- brown with white)and Double Laced blue Indian dark blue (shades of blue and brown).
Weight
Cock3.6 Kg
Hen2.7 Kg
Cockerel3.86 Kg
Pullet2.95 Kg
Bantam Variety Indian Game
Rooster2.0 Kg
Hen1.5 Kg
Egg Colour
Brown/tinted
15- Japanese :
Historical evidence suggests that the Japanese Bantam originated in Vietnam, not Japan, however this breed is very common in the gardens of Japan’s upper class for the last few hundred years. They are also popular in Malaysia and parts of Indonesia. They have very short legs, a very large comb and a large upright tail. Japanese Bantams are also good foragers, and will feed themselves if they have a large enough area to do so. They are a friendly breed which allow themselves to be petted and held, and are therefore easy to tame.
Classification
True Bantam
Appearance
Highly varied from black, black- red mottled, white to grey.
Weight
Cock510 – 600 g
Hen400 – 510 g
Egg Colour
White – tinted
Gray Japanese Bantam Chicken Breed (Breeding Flock)
16- Langshan :
The Langshan originates from China and is probably to most popular breed in Australia. It is a very tall bird that has feathered legs and can boast very long wing and tail feathers. The Langshan is a very proud bird with great posture and is also very active. The Langhan is a great winter layer and can produce, on average, 200-220 eggs per year. It is also known for its meat, which makes it a good dual-purpose bird. The two predominant varieties are the early maturing Chinese (Australian) and the rare, but heavier, Croad. They are shown in different classes at shows.
Classification
Soft feather – heavy
Appearance
Usually black (beetle-green) the Langshan can also be white and of blue appearance. They have long full tails.
Weight
Cock4.0 Kg
Hen3. 2 Kg
Cockerel3.64 Kg
Pullet2.95 Kg
Bantam Variety Langshan
Rooster1 Kg
Hen0.9 Kg
Egg Colour
Plumb brown
Langshan
Belgian Bearded d’Anvers
The Belgian Bearded d’Anvers originates from Antwerp and is classed as a bantam. Unlike other bantams, the Belgian variety is not derived from a larger counterpart. In most cases bantams are miniaturised forms of other larger birds. The Bearded d’Anvers is a purely ornamental breed, kept either as pets or by poultry fanciers for showing. The hens of the breed are very friendly to humans, however the roosters may be aggressive to people. Most Bearded d’Anvers’ live longer and healthier if kept free-range or in an open space with no crowding. Its plumage can by one of fourteen varieties recognised in competition, ranging from Porcelain to Quail (one of the more common for the breed). It is a diminutive bird with a large, round breast that juts forward and an arching tail. As its name implies, the d’Anvers has a profuse beard of feathers that covers the earlobes. It has a small rose comb and small or non-existent wattles. Temperamentally, the breed is very amicable, and bears confinement well. Hens lay small white eggs and will go broody.
Appearance:
Black, Cuckoo and White. Muffs cover the ear lobes. The Belgian’s eye colour varies from black, shades of brown to reddish. Wattles are small or absent.
Belgian Bearded d’Uccle
The Belgian Bearded d’Uccle is also known as ‘Booted Bantam’ and originated from Belgium as early as the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Following the success of this particular breed, the d’Uccle was eagerly bred in the UK. The Belgian Bearded D’Uccle is renowned for being a calm bird. Bearded d’Uccle eggs are notably small and are coated with creamy or tinted colouring. The breed is known for being very broody, and a typical hen can lay her eggs over a two-week period, though others have taken as long as three weeks (21 days). In the US they are frequently referred to as Mille Fleur or Millies, in spite of the fact that Mille Fleur is only one of their color variants and it also appears in other breeds, Such as leghorns, Dutch Bantams, Araucanas, americanas, and more.
Belgian Bearded de Watermael
The Belgian Bearded de Watermael is the creation of Antoine & Oscar Dresse. This particular variant explored whether it was possible to create a miniaturised variant designed for everyday backyard production. The de Watermael only weighs half a kilo and can on average produce 120 (40g) eggs annually. It must be pointed out that this is exceptional given that a chicken averaging 2.5 kg in weight only usually lays eggs weighing approximately 60 g.
Appearance
Black, white, gold
Weight
Bantam Variety Ancona
Rooster690 – 689 g
Hen570g – 680 g
Classification
True Bantam
Egg colour
Cream
Choosing Chicken Breeds
18- Leghorn :
Leghorn chickens remain perhaps one of the most popular chicken breeds due to their ability to produce approximately 300 eggs per year. Until recently, this breed was the most important in commercial egg production, with approximately 24 recognised varieties. Due to their prolific egg-laying ability, they are preferred by laboratories for embryonic and avian biological research as well as being the number one breed used for large-scale commercial egg production in the United States. The Leghorn originates from Italy and its cross-bred hereditary provides a rarely broody, mobile and efficient scavenging chicken. However, due to their nature, Leghorns do not necessarily make great pets.
Leghorns are noisy birds, somewhat smaller than other breeds although they are larger than the bantam.
Classification
Soft feather – light
Appearance
There are about 13 colours, ranging from black to blue, brown buff, white to mottled.
Weight
Cock2.8 – 3.4 Kg
Hen2.0 – 2.5 Kg
Cockerel2.2 Kg
Pullet1.8 Kg
Bantam Variety Leghorn
Rooster1 Kg
Hen0.9 Kg
19- Malay Game :
Malay Game are a fierce, proud bird that stands very tall. Subsequently, they require a lot of space and enjoy being outdoors. They are sensitive to cold temperatures due to its short, sparse feathering. A good Malay will have three distinct arches to its profile which are formed by the curves of the neck, back and tail.
Classification
Hardfeather large
20- Minorca :
The Minorca is one of the heaviest of the light breeds and originates from the Mediterranean. The breed was developed in England from imported Castilian fowl of Spain. They are utility fowl and were once in the class of widespread large flocks for laying (they lay large eggs) and meat production, like the Leghorn breed which is the smallest of this class. The distinction of the Minorca is its rather large white ear patch much like the White Faced Black Spanish (another of this class), which makes it recognisable at a distance. It is thought that approximately 100 chickens of the white phase of this breed now exist in the United States, where once they numbered in the thousands. Another of this Minorca group is the Blue Andalusian which is noted for its equally Minorca large-sized comb, which limits this breed to warmer regions as frostbite is a problem for these birds.
Classification
light feather- soft
Appearance
Black, white and blue.
Weight
Cock3.2 – 4.1 Kg
Hen2.7 – 3.6 Kg
Bantam Variety Minorca
Rooster960 g
Hen850 g
Egg Colour
White
21- Modern Game :
Modern Game birds are not good egg producers and their meat is not exceptional. Therefore, Modern Game are predominantly used for ornamental purposes only and because of this, it is essential to guarantee extra shelter and to assure that they receive plenty of exercise to maintain their slim and well postured appearance. There are over eight Modern Games varieties that originate from the UK. Modern Game are a very popular breed in Australia, particularly the miniatures. The birds are tall and slender with exceptionally long legs and the comb, ear lobes and wattles are usually dubbed.
Classification
Hard feather
Appearance
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Black & Red
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Brown & Red
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Golden
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Silver
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Birchen
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Black
-
White
Weight
Rooster3.2 – 4.1 Kg
Hen2.3 – 3.2 Kg
Cockerel2.3 Kg
Pullet1. 8 Kg
Bantam Variety Modern Game
Rooster570g – 620 g
Hen450g – 510 g
Eggs
White or lightly tinted
22- New Hampshire :
As the name suggests the New Hampshire originates from New Hampshire in the US and formed the basis of the early broiler industry, although it is a dual purpose bird. Its shanks and toes are a rich yellow colour. They possess a deep, broad body, grow feathers very rapidly, are prone to go broody and make good mothers. Most pin feathers are a reddish buff in colour and, therefore, do not detract from the carcass appearance very much. The colour is a medium to light red and often fades in the sunshine. The comb is single and medium to large in size; in the females it often lops over a bit. These good, medium-sized meat chickens have fair egg-laying ability. Some strains lay eggs of a dark brown shell colour. New Hampshires are competitive and aggressive.
Classification
Rare heavy feather – soft
Appearance
Weight
Cock3.9 Kg
Hen3.0 Kg
Bantam Variety New Hampshire
Rooster980 g
Hen737 g
Egg Colour
Brown
23- Old English Game:
Old English Game are a descendant of English fighting cocks, and a close relation to the original Jungle Fowl and were traditionally bred as a fighting bird. Since the prohibition of cock-fighting in the UK these birds are mainly now bred for display purposes. Even though their body size is quite small, their meat is quite well suited for consumption. Old English Game have only a modest egg laying capacity, averaging 160-180 eggs a year. Considering their aggressive hereditary origins, it is advisable to separate older cocks from the main flock.
Appearance
A wide variety of colours, including:
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Black
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Gold
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Red breasted
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Spangled
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Silver
Weight
Cock2.2 Kg
Hen1.8 Kg
Cockerel1.8 Kg
Pullet1.6 Kg
Egg Colour
White
