There are hundreds of
chicken
The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the Ceylon junglefowl that are originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adu ...
breeds in existence.
Domesticated
Domestication is a sustained multi-generational relationship in which humans assume a significant degree of control over the reproduction and care of another group of organisms to secure a more predictable supply of resources from that group. A ...
for thousands of years, distinguishable breeds of chicken have been present since the combined factors of geographical isolation and
selection
Selection may refer to:
Science
* Selection (biology), also called natural selection, selection in evolution
** Sex selection, in genetics
** Mate selection, in mating
** Sexual selection in humans, in human sexuality
** Human mating strateg ...
for desired characteristics created regional types with distinct physical and behavioral traits passed on to their offspring.
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.
They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose.
In the 21st century, chickens are frequently bred according to predetermined
breed standard
In animal husbandry or animal fancy, a breed standard is a description of the characteristics of a hypothetical or ideal example of a breed. The description may include physical or morphological detail, genetic criteria, or criteria of athletic ...
s set down by governing organizations. The first of such standards was the
British Poultry Standard, which is still in publication today.
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.
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.
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By place of origin
Afghanistan
Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
*
Araucana
China
Croatia
*
Hrvatica (Croatian Hen, Kokoš Hrvatica)
Cuba
*
Cubalaya
Cyprus
*
Cypriot chicken
Czech Republic
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Large breeds
Bantams
Greece
Iceland
*
Icelandic chicken
India
Indonesia
Iran
*
Black Azerbaijan Marandi
Italy
Japan
Korea
*
Jangmigye
Kosovo
*
Kosova Long-crowing
Malaysia
*
Kampung
A kampong (''kampung'' in Malay and Indonesian) is the term for a village in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and a "port" in Cambodia. The term applies to traditional villages, especially of the indigenous people, and has also been used ...
*
Malay
*
Serama
Mariana Islands
*
Saipan Jungle Fowl
Myanmar
*
Burmese
*
Pama Game
Netherlands
Norway
*
Norwegian Jærhøne
Pakistan
Philippines
*
Banaba[Breeds reported by Philippines: Chicken]
Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed June 2014.[Feleciano R. Bejar, Manuel J. Baylon, Jaime B. Fabillar, Lagrito Ebert B. Mante, Arturo A. Ultra, Reynaldo R. Aquino, Elvie T. Bejar (2012)]
''Management Practices and Morphological Characterization of Indigenous (Native) Chickens in Samar Province''
. Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture: Agriculture & Development Discussion Paper Series No. 2012-3.
*
Bolinao
Bolinao, officially the Municipality of Bolinao ( pag, Baley na Bolinao; ilo, Ili ti Bolinao; tgl, Bayan ng Bolinao), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of ...
[
* Camarines][
* Darag][
* Paraoakan or Parawakan][
]
Poland
* Polbar[
* ]Zielononóżka Kuropatwiana
The green-legged partridge (''Tropicoperdix chloropus''), also known as the scaly-breasted partridge or green-legged hill-partridge, is a bird species in the family Phasianidae. It is found in forest in Indochina, ranging slightly into southernm ...
(Green-legged Partridge)[Domestic Animal Diversity Information System]
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed January 2012.
* Polish chicken
Portugal
Romania
* Transylvanian Naked-neck
Russia
Serbia
Slovakia
* Oravka[
]
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
* Taiwanese Game
The Taiwanese Game or Taiwan is a breed of large game chicken originating in the island of Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa. It is among the largest of chicken breeds, and may exceed in body weight. It shows some similarity to large Japanese ...
Thailand
* Gai Chon[
* Gai Puen Muang][
* Pradu Hang Dum][ or Pradu Hang Dam Chiangmai]
* Thai Game[
]
Turkey
Ukraine
* Poltava
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vietnam
By primary use
All chickens lay eggs
Humans and human ancestors have scavenged and eaten animal eggs for millions of years. Humans in Southeast Asia had domesticated chickens and harvested their eggs for food by 1,500 BCE. The most widely consumed eggs are those of fowl, especial ...
, 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.
Eggs
Many breeds were selected and are used primarily for producing eggs
Humans and human ancestors have scavenged and eaten animal eggs for millions of years. Humans in Southeast Asia had domesticated chickens and harvested their eggs for food by 1,500 BCE. The most widely consumed eggs are those of fowl, especial ...
, these are mostly light-weight birds whose hens do not go broody often.
Meat
Most farms and homesteads use dual-purpose breeds for meat production. Some breeds are raised mainly for meat:
Dual-purpose
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.
Exhibition
Since the 19th century, poultry fancy
Animal fancy is a hobby involving the appreciation, promotion, or breeding of pet or domestic animals.
Fancy may include ownership, showing, animal sports and other competitions, and breeding. Hobbyists may simply collect specimens of the anima ...
, the breeding and competitive exhibition of poultry
Poultry () are domesticated birds kept by humans for their eggs, their meat or their feathers. These birds are most typically members of the superorder Galloanserae (fowl), especially the order Galliformes (which includes chickens, quails, ...
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
A cockfight is a blood sport, held in a ring called a cockpit. The history of raising fowl for fighting goes back 6,000 years. The first documented use of the ''word'' gamecock, denoting use of the cock as to a "game", a sport, pastime or ente ...
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
A cockfight is a blood sport, held in a ring called a cockpit. The history of raising fowl for fighting goes back 6,000 years. The first documented use of the ''word'' gamecock, denoting use of the cock as to a "game", a sport, pastime or ente ...
.
Bantams
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:
Crossbreeds
Many common strains of crossbred chickens exist, but none breed true or are recognized by poultry breed standard
In animal husbandry or animal fancy, a breed standard is a description of the characteristics of a hypothetical or ideal example of a breed. The description may include physical or morphological detail, genetic criteria, or criteria of athletic ...
s; 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.
See also
* List of birds
* List of duck breeds
* List of goose breeds
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This list contains breeds and landraces of domestic geese as well as species with semi-domestic populations. Geese are bred mainly for their meat, which is particularly popular in Germanic languages countries around Christmas. Of le ...
* List of turkey breeds
* Chickens as pets
The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the Ceylon junglefowl that are originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adul ...
Footnotes
References
* Carol Ekarius (2007)
''Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds''
North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. .
*
*
{{Authority control
Chickens
Chicken
The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the Ceylon junglefowl that are originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adu ...