There are hundreds of chickenbreeds in existence.[1]Domesticated for thousands of years, distinguishable breeds of chicken have been present since the combined factors of geographical isolation and selection for desired characteristics created regional types with distinct physical and behavioral traits passed on to their offspring.
Illustration of thirty-nine varieties of chicken (and one Guinea Fowl)
The physical traits used to distinguish chicken breeds are size, plumage color, comb type, skin color, number of toes, amount of feathering, egg color, and place of origin.[1] They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose.[1]
Difference between the sizes of a Brahma Blue rooster and a bantam rooster
In the 21st century, chickens are frequently bred according to predetermined breed standards set down by governing organizations. The first of such standards was the British Poultry Standard, which is still in publication today.[2][3] Other standards include the Standard of Perfection, the Australian Poultry Standard, and the standard of the American Bantam Association, which deals exclusively with bantam fowl.[3] Only some of the known breeds are included in these publications, and only those breeds are eligible to be shown competitively. There are additionally a few hybrid strains which are common in the poultry world, especially in large poultry farms. These types are first generation crosses of true breeds. Hybrids do not reliably pass on their features to their offspring, but are highly valued for their producing abilities.[1]
All chickens lay eggs, have edible meat, and possess a unique appearance. However, distinct breeds are the result of selective breeding to emphasize certain traits. Any breed may be used for general agricultural purposes, and all breeds are shown to some degree. But each chicken breed is known for a primary use.
The generalist breeds used in barnyards worldwide are adaptable utility birds good at producing both meat and eggs. Though some may be slightly better for one of these purposes, they are usually called dual-purpose breeds.
Since the 19th century, poultry fancy, the breeding and competitive exhibition of poultry as a hobby, has grown to be a huge influence on chicken breeds. Many breeds have always been kept for ornamental purposes, and others have been shifted from their original use to become first and foremost exhibition fowl, even if they may retain some inherent utility. Since the sport of cockfighting has been outlawed in the developed world, most breeds first developed for this purpose, called game fowl, are now seen principally in the show ring rather than the cock pit as fighting cocks.
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U denotes a breed primarily used for exhibition, but which is still used for utility purposes.
Most large chicken breeds have a bantam counterpart, sometimes referred to as a miniature. Miniatures are usually one-fifth to one-quarter the size of the standard breed, but they are expected to exhibit all of the standard breed's characteristics. A true bantam has no large counterpart, and is naturally small. The true bantams include:
Many common strains of crossbred chickens exist, but none breed true or are recognized by poultry breed standards; thus, though they are extremely common in flocks focusing on high productivity, crossbreeds do not technically meet the definition of a breed. Most crossbreed strains are sex linked, allowing for easy chick sexing.
Black Sex Link (also called Black Stars or Black Rock in the UK)
Rousseau, Jaak. "Grandes volailles". Large poultry breeds. telenet.be. Association pour la Promotion des Animaux de Basse-cour Belges (in French). Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
Rousseau, Jaak. "Volailles naines". Dwarf poultry breeds. telenet.be. Association pour la Promotion des Animaux de Basse-cour Belges (in French). Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
"French fowl". pagesperso-orange.fr. Fédération française des volailles. Volaille Poultry. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
"Zwerghühner 2011". Dwarf chickens 2011. bdrg.de (media archive). Bund Deutscher Rassegeflügelzüchter (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-03-21. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
"Alonissos island chicken". Arca-Net.info. Breed Atlas. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2023. local name 'double-yolk chicken'
"Chios fighting chicken". Arca-Net.info. Breed Atlas. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2023. local name 'Nysiriotiko'
"Trikala chicken". Arca-Net.info. Breed Atlas. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2023-09-01. local name Gyftokokoras ("gypsy chicken")
"Hoenders en dwerghoenders". Chickens and dwarf chickens. Nederlandse Bond van Hoender, Dwerghoender, Sier- en Watervogelhouders (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2007-07-17. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
"Aves"[Birds]. amiba.com.pt. Associação dos Criadores de Bovinos de Raça Barrosã (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2012-01-21. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
"Banatski gološijan standard" (in Serbian). Sremska Mitrovica: Udruzenje za zastitu i odgoj sitnih zivotinja [Association for the protection and upbringing of small animals]. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
Holcman, Antonija (19 July 2021). "Styrian chickens". Poultry breeds / Breeds of Livestock. afs.okstate.edu. Department of Animal Science. Stillwater, OK: Oklahoma State University. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
"Catálogo oficial de razas de ganado de España"[Official catalog of Spain's livestock breeds]. Ganaderia [livestock] (in Spanish). Madrid, ES: Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022.
"Pradu Hang Dam Chiangmai" ไก่ประดู่หางดำเชียงใหม่[Chiang Mai black-tailed Pradu chicken]. Chicken breed. Poultry Research and Development Section (in Thai). Thailand: Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement, Department of Livestock Development. Archived from the original on 2014-01-08. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
Roberts, Victoria (2008). British Poultry Standards. Oxford, UK: Blackwell. ISBN9781405156424. Complete specifications and judging points of all standardized breeds and varieties of poultry as compiled by the specialist breed clubs and recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain.
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