Which Breed is Right for You?
Ask yourself these questions:
Will your birds be sequestered in a chicken house, or do you favor free-range hens? Certain breeds don’t like being confined while others know nothing but.
How much room do you have to devote to chickens? Different breeds have different space requirements.
Can you keep your topknotted, feather-legged friends confined when the weather turns foul? Mud, slush and fancy-feathered fowl usually don’t mix.
Are your neighbors close by? Noisy breeds likely won’t do.
Are there toddlers in your family? Testy roosters of certain breeds can injure an unwary tot.
Do winter temperatures plummet below zero where you live? Some breeds simply won’t thrive in this type of weather.
Are you in a region with hot temperatures? Fiery summer heat wilts heavy, soft-feathered breeds, while others take heat more in stride.
Would you like to preserve a smidgen of living history and raise old-fashioned or endangered breeds?
Finally, if your chicken is a pet, will you keep it outdoors with the rest of the chickens or as a household pet?
Though we can’t tell you exactly which breed to buy — describing all the possibilities is beyond the scope of this magazine — we can offer general advice and name birds that will meet certain criteria in order to help you make your decision.