A Family Guide To Keeping Chickens (18 page)

A Partridge Cochin

Silver Grey Dorking

Even heavier than the Brahma, the Cochin is also a placid breed and makes an excellent pet. Breeding for showing has reduced its former egg-laying abilities but it is a handsome bird with profuse feathering. The big feathery ‘trousers’ and feathered feet will require clean and dry conditions, but these birds can live happily in a run as they are not particularly active. However, a too sedentary lifestyle may lead to heart problems. The hens make good broodies.

The Dorking is reputed to have come to Britain with the Romans. Although originally bred for the table, they are also reasonable layers. This breed prefers to free-range but is docile and if handled properly can become tame. The Dorking has a long body and short legs. It is unusual in having five toes – most breeds have four.

This French breed has Dorking amongst its ancestors and also has a fifth toe. A much-bearded chicken (I call them the ‘Father Christmas chickens’), it is usually an attractive salmon colour, although other colours may be found. Prized for its meat as well as being a good layer, the Faverolles would make an attractive addition to the garden. They are friendly, affectionate chickens, which are easy to tame, but may be bullied by other breeds.

Faverolles

Marans eggs are prized for their thick, glossy, dark-brown shells. The shells have smaller pores than usual, which is thought to help avoid contamination. The Marans is a good layer and given the chance will happily free-range. They can also be kept in a run but easily become fat. These are friendly birds and they can become reasonably tame.

The buff Orpington was a favourite of the late Queen Mother, and buff is perhaps the best-known colour, although there are many others. These attractive chickens have short legs, which can hardly be seen under their masses of feathers. They enjoy free-ranging and are well suited to the garden. Their friendly and affectionate nature makes them good pets – owners often become very attached to their Orpingtons. Breeding for showing has reduced their former laying ability but they tend to go broody and can cover large clutches of eggs. Their gentle nature can lead to them being bullied in a mixed flock.

Lavender Orpington

A popular dual-purpose breed, especially in the United States, these are placid chickens and easy to tame. They appreciate being able to free-range. The ‘barred’ colour scheme is best known – a striking pattern of black and white stripes. This breed has excellent laying abilities and features in the creation of several hybrids.

Barred Plymouth Rocks, male and female

This famous dual-purpose breed is one of the top layers of light-brown eggs and has been widely used in the development of hybrids. They mature early, can be kept free-range or in a run and are generally placid, friendly birds. The colour is a deep reddish-brown.

Rhode Island Red

This dual-purpose breed comes in a good variety of colours but the Light Sussex (white with a black neck and tail) is the best known. The Light Sussex is considered the most productive but all colours should lay well. These birds can either free-range or will adapt to life in a pen – they are also easy to tame. This all-round chicken would be an excellent choice for the beginner.

Light Sussex

Another good breed for the beginner, the Wyandotte comes in a large choice of colours. It makes an attractive addition to the garden – the silver-laced (white feathers outlined with black) is particularly eye-catching. This breed can live free-range or in a run, has a placid nature and is usually easy to tame. These are fairly large dual-purpose chickens with a pleasant, rounded shape, made to look larger by abundant feathering. They are excellent layers, although very likely to go broody. The white Wyandotte is the utility strain and the most productive.

Silver Laced Wyandotte

Many heavy breeds are ideal all-round chickens, but if space is limited or you need a pet for small children, then consider the bantams.

Barred Wyandotte Bantam

Welsummer Bantam

These are small chickens. They may be either scaled-down versions of large breeds or ‘true bantams’, meaning they have no large equivalent.

Most of the light and heavy breeds mentioned earlier have a readily available bantam counterpart. Some lay as well or better than their big cousins, but their eggs are smaller.

The true bantams aren’t the best of layers but can make lovely pets, being small, pretty and usually very friendly (although some males can be feisty). Those with feathered legs and feet are better suited to an enclosed run, although they will appreciate a chance to roam around the garden. Some can fly well. The smaller birds will be at risk from a variety of predators.

There are several breeds of true bantams – these are some of the most common: