Choosing the Right Chicken Breeds for Your Flock

A few years ago, my aunt shared her favorite chicken breeds with me, sparking my curiosity about the amazing variety of poultry out there. That led me to order a chicken catalog, and when it arrived, my daughter and I were captivated by the stunning colors and patterns. Since then, we’ve made it a tradition to add a few new breeds to our farm each year.

While it’s easy to fall in love with a chicken’s appearance, choosing the right breed is crucial when starting or expanding your flock. Some breeds thrive in free-range environments, while others prefer confinement. Climate is another important factor—some breeds are better suited for extreme cold or heat. You’ll also want to consider whether you’re looking for high egg production, meat birds, or dual-purpose breeds.

How I Choose the Right Chicken Breeds

Each year, I carefully research before adding new chickens. Here are some of the key factors I consider:

✔️ Personality & Temperament – Some breeds are naturally friendlier, while others can be flighty or aggressive.
✔️ Free-Ranging Ability – Since we free-range, we prioritize breeds that are alert, active foragers, and able to avoid predators.
✔️ Climate Tolerance – Living in Georgia, we need heat-tolerant breeds, but I also love hardy birds that can handle cold snaps.
✔️ Egg Color & Production – A diverse egg basket is a bonus! I love collecting a mix of white, brown, dark chocolate, and speckled eggs.

While breeds like Silkies and Polish are adorable, their docile nature and poor vision make them less suited for our free-range setup. Instead, I focus on hardy, self-sufficient breeds that integrate well into our flock.

New Chicken Breeds We Added This Year

Each spring, I add a few new breeds to our farm. Here are some of our latest additions:

🐓 Exchequer Leghorn – Prolific white egg layers with great feed efficiency. These friendly, inquisitive birds are excellent for free-ranging.

🐓 Marans – Famous for their rich, dark chocolate eggs. This year, we added a Wheaten Marans (Honey) and a Golden Cuckoo Marans (Coconut), both of whom have become flock favorites.

🐓 Partridge Cochin – Known for their beautiful feathered legs and sweet personality. Our Partridge Cochin is on the lower end of the pecking order but blends well with the flock.

🐓 Dominique – One of America’s oldest breeds, Dominiques are cold- and heat-tolerant with strong foraging instincts. Their black-and-white barred pattern helps them camouflage while free-ranging.

Planning for Next Year’s Chickens

It may seem early, but fall is the best time to plan for spring chick orders. Hatcheries release their spring availability early, and ordering ahead ensures you get the breeds you want. Last year, I placed my chick and hatching egg orders in December, right alongside my garden seed orders!

Since 2020, I’ve sourced all my chickens, guineas, and quail from Meyer Hatchery. They offer excellent customer service, a wide selection of breeds, and an educational section packed with poultry tips.

🐣 Use code “CRFarm” at checkout to save $$!

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