If you’re new to raising chickens, you want to do it right so the experience is enjoyable and your chickens are healthy and happy. 

There are hundreds of chicken breeds, and amazingly, after owning a few, most chicken lovers can narrow down their favorite breeds. Chicken fanciers are loyal to their breed of choice, and the reason they love a certain breed has to do with anything from egg production to temperament. An often overlooked breed-selection criterion is that of location. 

Do you know which breeds of chickens will thrive the best in your climate?

Here, we’ll focus on two of the most important factors in breed selection: region and reason. In other words, where do you live and why do you want to raise chickens? These two factors will narrow down the chicken breed pool enough for you to make an educated decision. 

 

Choosing Chickens Based on Region

There’s an abundance of breeds that fare well in multiple climates, but if you live in a region that experiences extreme temperatures, you may need to take the weather into consideration. Chickens with large combs, for example, often get frostbite in extremely cold temperatures. They may even lose their combs to subzero temperatures. 

On the other hand, birds who evolved in areas of the world that experience cold temperatures regularly may struggle in the heat. They will pant and are unable to withstand the hot temps of the southern atmosphere. Heatstroke is a serious concern for some breeds of chickens. 

 

Best Cold Climate Breeds

Chickens that do best in cold climates tend to have shorter, close-to-the-head, combs. They usually sport fluffy, dense, feathers that provide ample insulation during the cold temps. Often cold-weather breeds are big and have feathers on their feet. Here’s a few to consider:

• Americana
• Wyandotte
• Sussex
• Brahma
• Australorp

 

Best Hot Climate Breeds

Chickens who enjoy the heat are usually birds with larger combs and wattles and have feathers that sit closer (or tighter) to their bodies. These are a few of our favorites:

• Leghorn
• Sussex
• Barred Rock

 

Hot and Cold Hardy

If you live in a climate that’s extreme in both cold and hot weather, you’re in luck because there’s plenty of chickens that can easily handle both.

• Rhode Island Red
• Australorp
• Brahma
• Buff Orpington

The Reason You Want to Raise Chickens

 

Next, think about why you want to raise chickens in the first place. Do you want to provide protein for your family in the form of eggs or meat (or possibly both)? Or are you more interested in raising pet chickens so your children can learn the ins-and-outs of animal husbandry?

Ask yourself these questions, because not all chickens are prolific layers, nor are they all suitable as pets. We’ve broken down the top birds for specific purposes, but keep in mind, there’s always some wiggle room.

Most Prolific Layers

• Rhode Island Red
• Australorp
• Leghorn
• Speckled Sussex
• Marans
• Isa Browns
• Amberlinks

 

Best Meat Birds

• Jumbo Cornish Rock Cross
• Rhode Island Red
• Brahma
• Freedom Rangers

Best Dual-Purpose Chickens

• Buff Orpington
• Rhode Island Red
• Australorp
• Wyandotte

 

Friendliest Fair Chickens

• Orpington
• Brahma
• Australorp
• Bantams

 

Now it’s time to cross-reference your lists and find a common denominator that fits your region and your reason for wanting to raise chickens. If you can’t find a bird that fits the bill, don’t worry, this list isn’t as cut-and-dry as you might think. As long as you provide the appropriate accommodations and amenities for your chickens, they will do fine in either climate. 

Always consider your hatchery’s recommendation when it comes to selecting the right breed for your region—chances are, they know their stuff and they’d love to talk turkey…I mean, chicken…with you all day long. 

 

Good luck, and happy hen hunting!

By: Amanda Pieper.