Looking for a chicken breed that’s good for beginners?
In this article, we will introduce you to the top 10 chicken breeds that are perfect for beginners. Whether you’re seeking low-maintenance options, friendly and docile chickens, or excellent egg layers, these breeds have proven to be ideal choices for beginners.
For this article, I reached out to a group that I’m a member of with 26 thousand avid chicken owners! Read on to see what they had to say on the best chicken breeds for beginners!
1. Australorp
During my group post, several people mentioned that Australorps made excellent beginner chickens. This was due to their friendly nature and egg production!
In terms of egg production, Australorps are known for being excellent layers, with the ability to lay around 250-300 brown eggs per year, which is about 5-6 eggs per week. Australorps are a breed of chicken that originated in Australia and are known for their black feathers with a greenish-purple sheen. They are also known for being docile and friendly, making them a popular choice for backyard chicken keepers. If you’re interested in seeing a complete guide to Australorps, check out my Australorp Guide!
Australorps actually hold the world record for the most eggs in a single year! In 1922, an Australorp hen named “Molly” laid 364 eggs in 365 days, which is a remarkable achievement for any breed of chicken.
The Australorps actually made the top 5 breeds for hot weather, check that article out here: The Top 5 Chicken Breeds for Hot Weather.
2. Rhode Island Red
During my study among my fellow chicken owners, several people mentioned the Rhode Island Reds. They mentioned that they are the sweetest and most docile chickens!
Rhode Island Red hens are excellent layers, known for producing large brown eggs with an average of 250 to 300 eggs per year or around 4 to 6 eggs per week. Rhode Island Red chickens are known for their deep, rich, mahogany-colored feathers, which can appear almost black in certain lighting conditions.
This breed is very popular amongst the 4H, as I raised a few hundred of them myself this way. I learned quite a bit in the process, so if you’d like to check out my Rhode Island Red Article, go for it!
3. Buff Orpington
Buff Orpingtons are proving to be one of the best beginner chicken breeds around. Most people tend to love these chickens because of their friendly nature and laying ability!
Orpington hens are good layers, with the ability to lay around 150-200 large brown eggs per year or 3-4 eggs per week. Orpingtons come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, buff, and white. Orpingtons are also known for their docile and friendly nature. I could always come closer to picking up Orpingtons over any other breed.
If you’re looking for a breed of chicken to raise their young, look no further, Orpingtons are known as one of the most broody breeds around. If you’d like to learn more about Orpingtons, check out my Orpington Article.
4. Sussex
Sussex chickens are easy to care for, and their friendly and docile nature makes them a popular choice for beginner chicken keepers!
Sussex hens are known for their consistent egg-laying abilities, producing large brown eggs with an average of 250 to 300 eggs per year or around 4 to 6 eggs per week. Sussex chickens have distinctive white, speckled, or red-colored plumage, and a medium-sized, rose-shaped comb.
A fun fact about Sussex chickens is that they are believed to be the first bred chickens in Britain around AD 43, making them one of the oldest known breeds!
The Sussex breed made the top ten list for best breeds for cold environments, to see what other breeds made it, check out my Top Ten Chicken Breeds for Cold Climates article.
5. Leghorn
The leghorn breed is a very popular first choice amongst beginners mostly due to its egg-laying capabilities! This breed is known for its excellent hardiness in hotter climates due to its large combs and coloration in the white leghorn variety.
Leghorns are active and energetic birds that do well in free-range environments, and they are known for their ability to lay large white eggs, with an average of 280 to 320 eggs per year or around 5 to 6 eggs per week. Leghorns are usually white in color, although some other color varieties exist, including brown and black. There’s a reason why most egg production facilities choose the White Leghorns!
My Grandpa swore these were the best laying hens around and for good reason. To see a complete guide, check out my White Leghorn Article!
6. Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rocks, like some of the other breeds mentioned here, are usually chosen for first-time chicken keepers due to their friendly personality and egg-laying capabilities.
Plymouth Rock hens are excellent layers, known for producing large brown eggs with an average of 200 to 280 eggs per year, which is around 4 to 5 eggs per week. Plymouth Rocks, also known as Barred Rocks, have a distinctive barred pattern on their feathers, with black and white stripes running vertically down their body.
Plymouth Rocks were first crossbred in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts in the 19th century (Which is how they got their name!). As far as Plymouth Rocks go, they can survive even the harshest of weathers, to learn how, check out my article on “Are Plymouth Rocks Cold Hardy?“.
7. Cochin
Cochins are renowned for their docile temperament and adaptability, making them an excellent choice for beginners in the world of chicken keeping. Their calm and friendly nature not only makes them easy to handle but also allows for enjoyable interactions, especially for families with children.
The Cochin chicken, originating from China, is a breed known for its unique appearance and gentle nature. These magnificent birds were first brought to the Western world in the mid-19th century and quickly captivated enthusiasts with their fluffy feathers, feathery legs, and captivating personalities.
Cochins usually lay 150-180 eggs per year.
Additionally, their size and gentle disposition make Cochins a great addition to backyard flocks, where they can easily coexist with other chicken breeds. For beginners seeking a chicken breed that combines striking aesthetics with a friendly and easy-going demeanor, Cochins are an ideal choice.
8. Dominique
Dominiques are an excellent breed for a beginner. Many chicken enthusiasts report that their Dominiques are very friendly and docile.
Coming in at 230-275 brown eggs per year, what’s not to love about this breed?
This breed looks remarkably like the Plymouth rock mentioned earlier in this article. The key difference is their combs. The Barred Rock has a Single Comb while the Dominique has a Rose Comb.
Dominiques can thrive in both cold and warm environments, making them an excellent breed no matter what weather conditions you live in.
The Dominique chicken is believed to be one of the oldest chicken breeds in the United States. Its exact origin is unclear, but it is thought to have been brought to New England by early European settlers in the 17th century. The breed is named after its distinctive black and white barred plumage, reminiscent of a “domino” pattern.
9. Easter Egger
The Easter Egger was another breed that came up in my study. It has become a popular breed among backyard chicken keepers for its friendly temperament and colorful eggs.
The easter egger lays up to 280 blue/green eggs per year which are quite different from the normal white/brown eggs.
The Easter Egger also referred to as the “Americana,” is not a standardized breed but a hybrid between an Ameraucana and a light brown or white egg-laying breed. Because of their mixed genetics, they do not produce offspring that consistently display the same characteristics.
10. Ameraucana
Like the Easter Egger, the Ameraucana is friendly, and social, and lays blue/green eggs!
Ameraucana hens are known for their excellent egg-laying abilities, producing large blue or green eggs with an average of 200 to 280 eggs per year or 4 to 5 eggs per week.
Ameraucana chickens have a distinctive appearance, with a beard and muffs that cover their ears, a pea comb, and a full tail. They come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, wheaten, and brown/red.
I’ve written a complete guide on just the Ameraucana Breed if you’d like to check it out!
Earlier I mentioned that Easter Eggers are called “Americanas”. These two chickens are actually different breeds. To learn more, check out my article on Americana or Ameraucana: What’s the Difference?