Popular Chicken Breeds: The Best Choices for Beginners and Homesteaders

Chick days at Tractor Supply are almost here. If you are anything like me… You become reckless when you walk into Tractor Supply, see the heat lamps on, and hear the baby chick chirps. You want to buy a few of each chick on the spot, without rationalizing the space and requirements. We have been raising chicks for 4 years now, and each spring it is harder and harder to say no to baby chicks. This guide will help educate you on the most popular chicken breeds.

There are over 500 recognized chicken breeds and over thousands of different varieties of them. Each breed and variety is capable of different things.

This guide covers the most popular backyard chicken breeds in the U.S., with easy-to-read comparison tables for the best egg-laying chickens, dual-purpose chicken breeds, beginner-friendly breeds, cold-hardy chickens, heat-tolerant chickens, and colorful egg layers.

Whether you want maximum egg production, a rainbow egg basket, cold-hardy birds, or friendly backyard companions, this post helps you find the best backyard chickens for beginners and your homestead goals.

Are you looking to get chickens because you are starting a homestead from scratch? Check out these 6 other things you should do in your first-year homesteading.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Breed

Choosing the right breed depends on your goals. Do you want maximum egg production, a colorful variety of eggs, rapidly growing meat chickens, cold-hardy birds, or friendly backyard companions? Understanding your priorities helps you select the breeds that fit your needs.

Climate – Cold or Heat Tolerance
Different breeds handle weather differently. If you live in a northern area, you’ll want cold-hardy chickens with smaller combs and dense feathers. In hot climates, choose heat-tolerant breeds that have large combs to release heat.
Space
Some breeds do well in small coops, while others need room to roam. Active foragers need pasture access, whereas calmer birds adapt to more confined areas.
Noise Tolerance
Hens are generally quieter than roosters, but some breeds are more vocal than others. If you live in a suburban area, consider quieter breeds.
Egg Color & Production
Do you want lots of eggs or unique colors? Consider both quantity and variety.
Dual-Purpose Value
Some breeds are versatile, giving you both eggs and meat from the same flock. This can simplify management and reduce costs for homesteaders or backyard keepers.
Meat Production Goals
If you’re raising birds for meat, dual-purpose breeds or broilers are ideal. Dual-purpose breeds offer both eggs and meat, whereas broilers grow rapidly for meat but produce few eggs.
Temperament
Friendly, docile birds are easier to handle, especially if you have children or are a beginner. Calm breeds are great for families and companionship, while active breeds may be more independent and want their.
Availability from Hatcheries
Some heritage or hybrid breeds may be harder to find. Make sure your preferred breed is available from reputable hatcheries or local suppliers before planning your flock.

Best Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds

It takes all hens about 5 to 6 months to lay their first egg. The quality of their diet can affect how soon they lay eggs. All chickens lay eggs, but only a few are dependable as these breeds consistently lay eggs in large quantities. There are also different breeds of chickens that lay different colored eggs. White and brown chicken eggs are the most common eggs. Light blue, olive green, deep brown, and speckled eggs are other potential egg coloring options. They are also gaining popularity because they are pretty and not available in commercial grocery stores.

What are the best chicken breeds for Egg-layers?

ISA Brown
Rhode Island Red
Leghorn
Australorp
Barred Rock (Plymouth Rock)
Easter Egger
Marans
Welsummer
Olive Egger
Minorca
Andalusian (Blue Andalusian)

Egg-Laying Chicken Breed Profiles

ISA Brown

ISA Browns are reddish-brown medium-sized birds with a single comb, developed in Europe for high egg production, laying over 300 brown eggs per year. They are friendly, docile, and adapt well to moderate climates. These birds are excellent for beginners looking for prolific, easy-to-manage layers.

Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Reds are deep red, robust birds with a medium-large comb, originating in the U.S. in the late 1800s. They are dual-purpose, laying 250–300 brown eggs per year, and are confident and hardy, tolerating both cold and heat well. This breed is a strong choice for backyard flocks and beginner homesteaders.

Leghorn

Leghorns are slim, white-feathered birds with a large single comb, a classic Italian layer breed. They produce 280–320 white eggs per year and are active and flighty, thriving in heat but less docile than other breeds. They’re best for owners seeking high egg production rather than a friendly pet.

Australorp

Australorps are medium-large, black glossy-feathered birds developed in Australia from Orpingtons. They lay 250–300 light brown eggs per year and are calm, gentle, and quiet, handling cold well while adapting to moderate heat. They’re perfect for beginners who want a reliable, easygoing layer.

Barred Rock (Plymouth Rock)

Barred Rocks are large birds with black-and-white striped feathers, known for their dual-purpose utility. They lay 200–280 brown eggs per year and are friendly, easygoing, very cold-hardy, and moderately heat-tolerant. They’re a great all-around choice for backyard flocks.

Easter Egger

Easter Eggers are medium-sized birds with varied plumage, often having beards. They lay colorful eggs in blue, green, or olive shades (200–280/year) and are curious, friendly, and adaptable to both heat and cold. Their unique eggs and hardy temperament make them a favorite for family flocks.

Marans

Marans are medium-large birds with black or copper feathers, known for their dark chocolate brown eggs (150–200/year). Calm and steady, they are cold-hardy and tolerate moderate heat. They’re ideal for those seeking striking egg color and dual-purpose utility.

Welsummer

Welsummers are medium birds with red-brown feathers and darker markings, producing 160–250 speckled brown eggs per year. They are active, independent, and cold-hardy, thriving in free-range setups. They’re best suited for experienced keepers who want attractive eggs and hardy birds.

Olive Egger

Olive Eggers are medium birds with varied plumage, often a mix of Marans or Welsummer crosses. They lay 160–250 olive green eggs per year and are friendly, curious, and adaptable to both heat and cold. Their unique egg color makes them a popular choice for backyard flocks.

Minorca

Minorca chickens are sleek black birds with large white earlobes and a very large single comb, producing 200–280 large white eggs per year. They are active, alert, and excel in heat but are less cold-hardy due to their combs. Best for experienced keepers seeking big eggs in warmer climates.

Andalusian (Blue Andalusian)

Andalusians are elegant, slate-blue-feathered birds with a medium-large frame, laying 150–220 white eggs per year. Energetic and flighty, they thrive in heat but are only moderately cold-tolerant. They’re ideal for free-range flocks and experienced chicken owners.

Egg-Laying Chicken Breed Summary Chart

Breed	Eggs Per Year	Egg Color	Temperament	Climate Tolerance
ISA Brown	300+	Brown	Very friendly, docile	Moderate cold, handles heat well
Rhode Island Red	250–300	Brown	Can be assertive with other chickens	Excellent cold tolerance, adaptable to heat
Leghorn	280–320	White	Active, independent, flighty	Handles heat very well,
Australorp	250–300	Light brown	Calm, gentle, quiet	Excellent cold tolerance
Barred Rock (Plymouth Rock)	200–280	Brown	Friendly, easygoing	Very cold-hardy
Easter Egger	200–280	Blue, green, olive	Curious, friendly	Very adaptable to both heat and cold
Marans	150–200	Deep chocolate brown	Calm, steady	Cold hardy, handles moderate heat
Welsummer	160–250	Speckled brown	Active, independent	Cold hardy, good free-ranger
Olive Egger	160–250	Olive green	Friendly, curious	Very adaptable to heat & cold
Minorca	200–280	White (very large)	Active, alert	Excellent heat tolerance
Andalusian (Blue Andalusian)	150–220	White	Energetic, flighty, good foragers	Heat-tolerant,

What chickens lay the most eggs? ISA Browns and Leghorns are among the highest-producing breeds, often laying over 300 eggs per year under ideal conditions.

Best Dual-Purpose Chicken Breeds

Dual-purpose chicken breeds are great for eggs and meat. They are slower-growing meat birds but lay more eggs than typical meat birds. Dual-purpose chicken breeds weigh more than primary egg layers. These versatile chicken breeds are popular for homesteaders. This allows homesteaders to produce both eggs and meat without managing separate flocks.

What are the best dual-purpose chicken breeds?

Buff Orpington
Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)
Wyandotte
Sussex
Brahma

Dual-Purpose Chicken Breed Profile

Buff Orpington

Buff Orpingtons are large, fluffy, golden-buff birds with a soft, rounded appearance. They lay 200–280 light brown eggs per year and are calm, friendly, and excellent for beginners. Their gentle temperament and cold hardiness make them ideal for backyard flocks.

Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)

Barred Rocks are medium-large birds with striking black-and-white striped feathers. They lay 200–280 brown eggs per year, are friendly and easygoing, and tolerate cold well. These hardy, versatile chickens are a popular choice for families and homesteaders.

Wyandotte

Wyandottes are medium-to-large birds with laced feather patterns in colors like white or brown and black. They lay 200–240 brown eggs per year and are calm but sometimes assertive. Cold-hardy and reliable, they are great for both eggs and meat in backyard flocks.

Sussex

Sussex chickens are large birds with creamy, light brown, or speckled feathers. They lay 200–250 eggs per year and are curious, friendly, and adaptable. Their hardy nature makes them suitable for moderate climates and beginner flocks.

Brahma

Brahmas are very large “gentle giant” chickens with feathered legs and soft plumage in colors like light, dark, or buff. They lay 150–200 light brown eggs per year and are calm, docile, and cold-hardy. Their size and gentle nature make them ideal for dual-purpose flocks.

Dual-Purpose Chicken Breed Summary Chart

Breed	Eggs Per Year	Egg Color	Growth Weight	Temperament	Climate Tolerance
Buff Orpington	200–280	Light brown	8 lbs.	Very calm, friendly	Excellent cold tolerance
Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)	200–280	Brown	7.5 lbs.	Friendly, easygoing	Very cold hardy, adaptable
Wyandotte	200–240	Brown	6.5 lbs.	Calm, sometimes assertive	Very cold hardy
Sussex	200–250	Light brown / cream	7 lbs.	Curious, friendly	Cold hardy, adaptable to moderate heat
Brahma	150–200	Light brown	9–10 lbs.	Calm, docile	Excellent cold tolerance

Best Meat Chicken Breeds

Meat chickens, broilers, are solely raised for their meat. These chickens grow fast and reach market weight in 6 to 12 weeks. Broilers weigh more than egg-laying hens and have broad breasts and plump legs. They are different from dual-purpose chickens because broilers are solely grown for fast meat production. There are many ways to raise broilers. Some chicken breeds do better in confined spaces compared to being out on a pasture. Commercially, broilers are raised in chicken houses. Among most homesteaders, broilers are raised on pasture in a movable shelter that moves to fresh grass each day.

Raising broilers requires attention to space, nutrition, and health management to ensure they grow safely and efficiently.

What are the best breeds of meat chicken?

Cornish Cross
Freedom Ranger (Red Ranger)
Jersey Giant

Meat Chicken Breed Profile

Cornish Cross

Cornish Cross chickens are large, broad-breasted birds with white feathers and muscular bodies designed for rapid growth. They reach market weight in 6–8 weeks and are prized for their extremely high meat yield. While efficient and fast-growing, they are less active and require careful management to prevent health issues.

Freedom Ranger (Red Ranger)

Freedom Rangers are medium-to-large, reddish-brown birds with a leaner, more athletic build than Cornish Cross. They grow moderately fast (ready in 9–11 weeks) and are hardy, active, and well-suited for pasture-raised meat production. Their flavor is often considered superior, and they thrive in free-range environments.

Jersey Giant

Jersey Giants are very large, black or blue-feathered chickens with a broad frame and gentle demeanor. They grow slowly (ready in 16–24 weeks) and serve as a dual-purpose breed, providing both meat and eggs. Calm and cold-hardy, they are ideal for spacious backyard flocks or homesteads.

Meat Chicken Breed Summary Chart

Breed	Growth Rate	Weight	Pros	Cons	Climate Tolerance	Ideal Growing Conditions
Cornish Cross	Very fast – ready in 6–8 weeks	6–8 lbs.	Extremely high meat yield, large breasts, efficient feed conversion	Prone to health issues, less active	Moderate; best in controlled environments	Confined with controlled temperature, high-protein feed, and limited activity
Freedom Ranger (Red Ranger)	Moderate – ready in 9–11 weeks	5–6 lbs.	Hardy, more active, good for pasture, better flavor	Slower growth and smaller breast	Excellent; thrives in free-range & varied climates	Pasture-raised with space to roam, access to shelter, mixed forage & feed diet
Jersey Giant	Slow – ready in 16–24 weeks	10–12 lbs.	Large size, dual-purpose (meat & eggs), gentle temperament	Takes longer to reach market weight, less feed-efficient	Very cold hardy; adapts to moderate climates	Free-range or spacious coop/barn, balanced feed, plenty of space for growth and exercise

Popular Chicken Breeds for Beginners

These are some of the best chicken breeds for beginners because they are temperature hardy, have a friendly temperament, and easy to manage. For beginner chicken owners, you want a chicken that is easily contained but not skittish. These are also some of the friendliest chicken breeds for families and backyard flocks.

What are the best chicken breeds for beginners?

Buff Orpington
Barred Rock
Australorp
Sussex

Popular Cold-Hardy Chicken Breeds

If you live in a northern region, these are some of the best chickens for cold climates. Cold-hardy chickens can survive with temperatures down to 20 to 0⁰F with proper shelter. These chicken breeds have smaller combs, which are resistant to frostbite. Their feathers are denser, and they have a heavier body mass to protect themselves against colder temperatures. The real danger with cold climates isn’t just cold- it is the moisture and wind.

What are the best cold-hardy chicken breeds?

Wyandotte
Australorp
Brahma
Rhode Island Red

Popular Heat-Tolerant Chicken Breeds

If you live in a southern region, these are some of the best chickens for hot climates. Heat-tolerant chickens can survive temperatures from 85–95°F. These chickens have large combs and wattles that help release the heat. Their feathers are loose, and they have a lighter body weight. Chickens cannot sweat, so they cool themselves off by panting and spreading their wings. Chicken, overall, handles heat less effectively than cold temperatures. The real danger with heat is high humidity.

What are the best heat-tolerant chicken breeds?

Leghorn
Minorca
Andalusian
Easter Egger

Popular Colored Egg Laying Chicken Breeds

The color of some eggs these chickens lay is almost too pretty to use. The beautiful assortment of eggs can range from green, blue, white, chocolate brown, and speckled. Colored egg layers are becoming increasingly popular among backyard chicken keepers.

What are the best chicken breeds colorful eggs?

Easter Egger – assortment of green, blue, and brown
Ameraucana – blue
Olive Egger -green
Cream Legbar – light blue
Marans – chocolate brown
Welsummer – speckled brown

Conclusion

By understanding the traits, climate tolerance, growth characteristics, and temperament, you can choose the right chicken breed for your homestead or backyard flock. With the right planning and care, your flock can provide fresh eggs, quality meat, or companionship.

Ready to order some of these popular chicken breeds? Aside from Chick Days at Tractor Supply, we use this Hatchery. They carry most of the popular chicken breeds. You might have to find one closer to you, since they are shipping day-old chicks.