Types Of Chicken

Chickens are the most populated and domesticated birds in the world. They are primary source of food all over the world as not only their meat is consumed largely but their eggs are also widely consumed as food.

There are hundreds of chicken breeds all over the world, but basically there are main four types of chickens:

• Pure breed chicken
• Hybrid chicken
• Egg laying hybrid chicken
• Dual purpose chicken

The pure breed chickens are the chickens that origin from single types of chicken. The hybrid chickens are made by making crosses of various breeds to produce variety in their meat and eggs. The egg laying hybrids are specially modified chickens which produce a lot of eggs. The dual purpose chicken is good for both meat and eggs.

Some famous types of chickens are as follows:

Brahma chickens originally belong to India and by appearance are one of the biggest chickens in the world.

They don’t have much flesh as compared to their size as most of their body is made up of thick loose feathers.

They are covered completely with feathers even their toes are covered with them.

There are three major types of Brahma:

• Light Brahma
• Buff Brahma
• Dark Brahma

The light Brahmas are white with black tail and black hackles with white edges.

The buff Brahmas are golden in color where as the dark Brahmas have a dark grey body with black heckles.

Brahmas lay brown eggs and are good eggs laying chickens.

Their meat is not very popular as they are slow maturing birds which attain a large size before actually growing.

Their meat is also taste less, however their eggs are very good as compared to other eggs.

Langshan are active and energetic birds more popular for their meat than eggs.

These chickens belong to China and are of two major types: White Langshan and Black Langshan.

These two types differ in their color but both the breeds are tall with long legs and tails but the white breed is a little larger.

Langshans lay brown eggs like the Brahmas but their eggs are not very popular as compared to their meat which is very popular for its rich taste.

Their meat is usually roasted rather than being used in different dishes.

Rhode Island chickens are large hybrid chickens which are used as dual purpose chickens.

They have an average weight of 6-8 pounds and their body color varies.

Some of their species are yellow while some may have black or rust colored feathers.

These chickens originated by the fusion of Malay chicken bloodlines in Rhode Island USA, hence this name.

The Rhode Island chickens although are dual purpose, their eggs are more popular than their meat.

Their eggs are large and brown and can be made better if the bird is fed well.

These birds are strong, energetic and aggressive. They can be kept at home farms or can be used to create more hybrids.

These chickens are of two types based on their combs:

• Single comb chickens
• Rose comb chickens.

The Cornish chickens are average to large sized chickens originally belonging to the Cornwall country.

These chickens produce one of the finest meats and are responsible for laying foundations for the boiler industry.

These chickens have a broad and a good muscular body which weighs around ten pounds. The color of their feathers is mostly yellow and their eggs are also brown.

Some other varieties of Cornish chicken include:

• Dark skinned Cornish
• White Cornish
• White laced Cornish
• Buff Cornish

Dorking is another breed of chicken famous for its fine and wonderful meat. However apart from their meat, their eggs are also quite popular.

The dorkings have a white body which is rectangular in shape and has short legs.

They have five which is one of their distinguishing features.

Their eggs are also white which tells that these are pure bred chickens. Their average weight is around 6-7 pounds and their eggs are averaged sized.

These chickens are believed to be originally from Italy and had been brought to England by the Romans.