If you have…

…An artistic eye

The stunning colours of the Araucana’s eggs will delight those with a penchant for prettiness – there’s real pleasure to be had from arranging their pale-green and delicate blue hues in a box. Crack one open and you’ll discover that the colour goes all the way through the shell, too – a quality unique to this breed. The birds themselves, originally from Chile, are also available in 12 different shades, from white through to lavender, crele (barred golden brown, black and grey) and black, and come either rumpless or with a tail. Find out more at thebritisharaucanaclub.co.uk. The Araucana has some quirky facial features, including a triple pea comb, beard, crest and muffling. Despite its dainty appearance, the breed is a hardy one. It is the original blue egg layer – all hens that produce shells of this shade possess Araucana genes.

…A smallholding

The classic farmyard looks of the Welsummer will complete your collection of livestock. It is an iconic breed, with gold, chestnut and red colouring, and the handsome cockerel is often featured in depictions of country life. This bird will present you with large, sometimes speckled, terracotta-coloured eggs most days all year round and, with its calm temperament, makes a good choice where young children are concerned. A keen forager, it is very active and suited to free-range living. Find out more at welsummerclub.org. The Welsummer’s legs and feet are bright yellow. Bred in Holland, this bird is thought to originate from five other breeds, including the Rhode Island Red. The distinctive rooster that features on Kellogg’s Corn Flakes packets is believed to be based on a Welsummer.

…Green fingers

Not every chicken is a gardener’s friend – while some types rid the soil of pests, they can also quickly devour carefully cultivated crops such as lettuces and run off with prized earthworms. Being a large pure-breed, the Orpington cannot fly, is unlikely to jump over low fences and is a lazy grazer, so will leave your vegetable patch intact. This poultry giant is also supremely gentle and highly inquisitive, making it an interesting addition to the plot (just ensure the bird isn’t bullied by other chickens). Find out more at theorpingtonclub.co.uk. Due to the Orpington’s size, your coop and nesting box need to be extra spacious, while perches should be lower. Breeders have developed a large amount of underfluff and loose, soft feathers for exhibiting, so Orpington keepers should make sure the bird’s lower plumage doesn’t become waterlogged.

…Time for a pet

Love nothing better than grooming and making a fuss of animals? Then the Silkie is for you. This charming, placid hen has fluffy, fur-like plumage, which means it requires regular brushing and occasional washing (be aware that without access to adequate shelter it can also become wet and cold). A tendency to go broody, which partly explains a low egg yield, means the breed is ideal for those who want to try hatching their own chicks. Find out more at thesilkieclub.weebly.com. Be prepared for a fifth toe – the breed is known for having an extra digit. The Silkie has blue skin under its feathers. Hens are not only likely to sit on the eggs of other types of chickens, but those of ducks, too.