| As far as I know there are well over a hundred | | | | have stated off this way.The most famous one that I |
| breeds of chicken and they are grouped into four main | | | | can think of is George Henderson. |
| classes:egg layers, meat produces, ornamental and | | | | He wrote the book " the farming ladder "( well worth a |
| dual purpose. | | | | read ) If you are into gardening there is no better |
| This does not mean that egg layers cannot be eaten | | | | "muck" then chicken manure and if chickens are let |
| and that meat produces will not lay eggs. What it | | | | round the garden, they will also eat up quite a few |
| means is that if you want a chicken for eggs then | | | | garden pest. The cruelty factory farming is known and |
| choose from the "egg layers" and if you want a table | | | | keeping your own hens is something you can do to |
| bird then go for the meat produces. Some breeds of | | | | help stop this. We all ask" what can I do to stop this or |
| chicken make very good pets and that would be your | | | | that " each of us doing something, how ever small, will |
| ornamental type. Among such a large group of breeds | | | | help. |
| you will also get your different sizes; from very small | | | | Some points to consider when choosing your breed: |
| (Bantam) to almost turkey size( Brahmas or the | | | | -Why do you want to keep chickens? |
| Jersey Giant) | | | | -For eggs, meat, both or just plan fun? |
| A few common breeds: | | | | -Does the law allow you to keep chickens in your |
| The White Leghorn is the most common breed in | | | | area? |
| commercial egg production. Farmers mainly choose | | | | -What about your neighbours; would they mind, do |
| this breed for eggs; it is a light weight bird that does not | | | | they keep pets that might not get on with your |
| often go broody. This chicken lays white eggs. | | | | chickens (like dogs)? |
| Golden Comets is another excellent layer, but this | | | | -Do you have somewhere to keep the chickens? |
| chicken lays brown eggs. | | | | -Must your build or buy a hen house? |
| The Plymounth Rock is a great duel purpose breed, it | | | | -How many chickens are you going to keep? (One per |
| lays quite well and is adequate enough for the table, | | | | member of your household is recommend if it is just |
| this breed of chicken also makes good pets; being | | | | for home use) |
| very friendly as is the already mentioned Jersey Grant. | | | | In conclusion |
| Your purpose for keeping chickens; | | | | If you live in the States, Barred Rocks would be my |
| What could be your reason for keeping chickens: lets | | | | recommendation. They are calm birds, which will give |
| look at a few. Eggs are an important food that have | | | | you a good number of brown eggs and have fine |
| minerals and vitamins that are vital for a healthy diet. | | | | meat as well as being a very attractive bird to look at. |
| The fresher the better and if you have your own you | | | | Buff Orpington is a good choice for the UK. My advise |
| will not get better eggs...a whole new world of taste. If | | | | would be, if you are new to this, is to look around your |
| you have children or if indeed your are a child at heart | | | | area and see what other people are keeping in their |
| yourself, then keeping chickens is great fun.The | | | | backyards; if it works for them, it will work for you. |
| chickens can make great companions and are a good | | | | Stay away from roosters, some of them can be quite |
| education for children.Answering such question as | | | | vicious which is not good if you have children. Plus they |
| "where does food come from". | | | | will wake you up very early every morning of every |
| Letting your children keep hens and sale the eggs is a | | | | day! |
| very good education and quite a few business people | | | | |