Illustration of thirty-nine varieties of chicken (and oneGuinea Fowl)
There are hundreds ofchickenbreeds in existence.[1]: 23 Domesticated for thousands of years, distinguishable breeds of chicken have been present since the combined factors of geographical isolation andselection 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.[1]: 23 They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose.[1]: 23
In the 21st century, chickens are frequently bred according to predeterminedbreed standards set down by governing organizations. The first of such standards was theBritish Poultry Standard, which is still in publication today.[1][2] Other standards include theStandard of Perfection, theAustralian Poultry Standard, and the standard of the American Bantam Association, which deals exclusively withbantam fowl.[2] Only some of the known breeds are included in these publications, and only those breeds are eligible to beshown competitively. There are additionally a fewhybrid 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]: 23
All chickens layeggs, have ediblemeat, and possess a unique appearance. However, distinct breeds are the result of selective breeding to emphasize certain traits. Any breed may be used for generalagricultural 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 calleddual-purpose breeds.
Since the 19th century,poultry fancy, the breeding andcompetitive exhibition ofpoultry 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 ofcockfighting has been outlawed in the developed world, most breeds first developed for this purpose, calledgame fowl, are now seen principally in the show ring rather than the cock pit asfighting cocks.
Key
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 aminiature. 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. Atrue bantam has no large counterpart, and is naturally small. The true bantams include:
Many common strains ofcrossbred chickens exist, but none breed true or are recognized by poultrybreed standards; thus, though they are extremely common in flocks focusing on high productivity, crossbreeds do not technically meet the definition of abreed. Most crossbreed strains aresex linked, allowing for easychick sexing.
Black Sex Link (also called Black Stars or Black Rock in the UK)
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^abcdefghijklmnopqrstRousseau, Jaak."Volailles naines". Dwarf poultry breeds.telenet.be. Association pour la Promotion des Animaux de Basse-cour Belges (in French). Archived fromthe original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved1 January 2012.
^Breed data sheet: China: Chicken. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed March 2025.
^"Alonissos island chicken".Arca-Net.info. Breed Atlas. Archived fromthe original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved1 September 2023.local name 'double-yolk chicken'
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^abcd"Aves" [Birds].amiba.com.pt. Associação dos Criadores de Bovinos de Raça Barrosã (in Portuguese). Archived fromthe original on 2012-01-21. Retrieved1 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 fromthe original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved1 January 2012.
^"Svrljig Kokos".agrobiodiversity.net. Balkan Network for Agrobiodiversity (in Bosnian). Retrieved1 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. Retrieved2021-10-22.
^"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 fromthe original on 2014-01-08. Retrieved2014-01-08.
^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.
^"Denizli rooster".Kultur.Gov.Tr. Department of Culture and Tourism. Republic of Turkey. Retrieved16 June 2014.
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