List of chicken breeds
There are hundreds of chicken breeds in existence.[1]Template:R/superscript Domesticated for thousands of years, distinguishable breeds of chicken have been present since the combined factors of geographical isolation and selection 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]Template:R/superscript They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose.[1]Template:R/superscript
In the 21st century, chickens are frequently bred according to predetermined breed standards set down by governing organizations. The first of such standards was the British Poultry Standard, which is still in publication today.[1]Template:R/superscript[2]Template:R/superscript 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.[2]Template:R/superscript 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.[1]Template:R/superscript
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By place of origin: Afghanistan • Albania • Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • Chile • China • Croatia • Cuba • Czech Republic • Egypt • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Iceland • India • Indonesia • Iran • Italy • Japan • Korea • Kosovo • Malaysia • Myanmar • Netherlands • Norway • Pakistan • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Thailand • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • United States • Vietnam |
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By primary use: Eggs • Meat • Dual-purpose • Exhibition |
By place of origin
Afghanistan
Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
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Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
China
Breeds listed in DAD-IS:[6]Template:R/superscript Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Croatia
- Hrvatica (Croatian Hen, Kokoš Hrvatica)[7]
- Međimurska kokoš (Međimurje Chicken, Međimurje Hen)[8]
Cuba
Cyprus
- Cypriot chickenScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
Czech Republic
Egypt
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Finland
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France
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Germany
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Large breeds
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Bantam breeds
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Greece
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Iceland
India
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Indonesia
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Iran
- Manx Rumpy (or Rumpless Game)
- Orloff[1]Template:R/superscript[25]Template:R/superscript
- Black Azerbaijan (or Marandi)
Italy
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Japan
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Korea
Kosovo
- Kosova Long-crowing (also called Tringjyrshet Kosov)
Malaysia
Mariana Islands
Myanmar
Netherlands
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Norway
Pakistan
Philippines
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Poland
- Polbar[3]
- Zielononóżka Kuropatwiana (Green-legged Partridge)[3]
- Polish chicken
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia
- Banat Naked-neck (Banatski gološijan)[33]
- Sombor Kaporka (Somborska kaporka)[3]
- Svrljig Black (Svrljiška kokoš)[3][34]
Slovakia
Slovenia
- Styrian Hen (or Altsteirer)[35][36]
- Slovenian Barred Hen[35][37]
- Slovene Late-feathered Hen[38]
- Slovenian Brown Hen[35][37]
- Slovenian Silver Hen[35][37]
South Africa
Spain
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Sweden
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Switzerland
- Appenzeller Barthuhn,[16]
- Appenzeller Spitzhauben,[16]
- Schweizer[16]
- Zwerg-Appenzeller Barthuhn[16]
- Zwerg-Schweizer,[16]
Taiwan
Thailand
- Gai Chon[44]
- Gai Puen Muang[44]
- Pradu Hang Dum[44] or Pradu Hang Dam Chiangmai[45]
- Thai Game[46]Template:R/superscript
Turkey
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Ukraine
United Kingdom
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United States of America
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Vietnam
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By primary use
All chickens lay eggs, 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, these are mostly light-weight birds whose hens do not go broody often.
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Meat
Most farms and homesteads use dual-purpose breeds for meat production. Some breeds are raised mainly for meat:
- Bresse
- Cornish (a.k.a. Indian Game)
- Ixworth
- Jersey Giant
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.
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Exhibition
Since the 19th century, poultry fancy, the breeding and competitive exhibition of poultry 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 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.
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U denotes a breed primarily used for exhibition, but which is still used for utility purposes. |
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G denotes a game breed. |
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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:
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Crossbreeds
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Many common strains of crossbred chickens exist, but none breed true or are recognized by poultry breed standards; 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.
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See also
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Footnotes
References
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- ↑ Breed data sheet: China: Chicken. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed March 2025.
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- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at Masaoki Tsudzuki (2003). Japanese native chickens. In: Hsiu-Luan Chang, Yu-chia Huang (editors) (2003). The Relationship between Indigenous Animals and Humans in APEC Region. Taipei: Chinese Society of Animal Science. Pages 91-116.
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- ↑ a b c d e f g h J. Ian H. Allonby, Philippe B. Wilson (editors) (2018). British Poultry Standards: 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, seventh edition. Chichester; Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Blackwell. Template:Isbn.
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