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Best Chicken Breeds: 12 Types of Hens that Lay Lots of Eggs, Make Good Pets, and Fit in Small Yards
Overview of the best chicken breeds for backyards, including full color pictures of each type. Learn which types of hens lay the most eggs, have friendly and calm personalities, and fit well in small city back yards. Written by the author of the best-selling Fresh Food From Small Spaces book, a former columnist for Urban Farm magazine. (Updated 2012 Version)
Topics Include:
• How This Information Can Help You
• Rainbow Eggs: White, Blue, Green, Dark Chocolate Brown, and More
• Importance of Hatching Eggs and Handling Chicks Early
• Each Chicken is an Individual
• Best Breeds: 12 types of hens that lay lots of eggs, have friendly and calm temperaments, and fit in city backyards
• Bonus: 5 Exotic Poultry Chicken Breeds for backyards: wait ‘till you see these!
• Resources Section: Links to additional information on chicken breeds, plus where to obtain your chickens
Be Sure to Read This Before You Get Chickens
Thinking about getting chickens? Not sure what kind is best? If you’re ready to learn which types of hens lay lots of eggs on a regular basis, make good pets, and fit happily in small sized yards, you’ve come to the right place. This e-booklet provides you with information on 12 types of chickens which are best suited for a small back yard flock.
Plus Bonus Section: 5 Exotic Breeds for Backyards
Also included is a bonus chapter covering 5 Exotic Poultry Chicken Breeds which are also suitable for backyards. If you've never seen a bird that looks like a chicken crossed with a turkey, another one with a head resembling a feather duster, a third that looks more like a rabbit than a chicken, a hen that lays dark chocolate brown eggs, and a one pound chicken 6-12 inches tall that people keep as an indoor pet, then prepare to meet some new friends! Amazingly, each of these has a friendly personality and all can make good pets.
There’s a lot of free information online about different kinds of chickens. It’s great to have this available, but sorting through it can take a lot of time. When I decided to get chickens, I spent many hours researching different chicken breeds in books and on the Internet. At the time, I had a small yard in the city. The only thing I knew about chickens was that the hens lay the eggs and the roosters make most of the noise!
From my research, I learned that there are as many as 175 different kinds of chickens in the world. However, only 12 chicken breeds met my criteria, which were:
• Regular and prolific egg layers
• Comfortable in an enclosed coop and run area
• Preferably, not too loud
• Friendly around people
Save Time and Money
It would take you at least two or three hours just to find this information, even before you sort through, read, and analyze it. Instead, I’ve put all the important stuff in this short booklet (which only appears longer because of all the chicken pictures, another essential element for people choosing breeds). I’ve summarized the lengthy raw material from my own research, selected the best breeds for backyards, and presented this information in a format you can use.
Don't Get the Wrong Kind of Chickens!
Be sure to read this booklet before you get chickens!
Don't make the mistake of getting the wrong kind of chickens for your small yard. The wrong kinds can eat lots of food, get fat, and lay few eggs. They can be loud, aggressive, obnoxious, or scared of people. The right kinds will lay eggs almost every day, stay calm and quiet, let you pick them up and pet them, and will not mind being kept in a coop and fenced area!
Topics Include:
• How This Information Can Help You
• Rainbow Eggs: White, Blue, Green, Dark Chocolate Brown, and More
• Importance of Hatching Eggs and Handling Chicks Early
• Each Chicken is an Individual
• Best Breeds: 12 types of hens that lay lots of eggs, have friendly and calm temperaments, and fit in city backyards
• Bonus: 5 Exotic Poultry Chicken Breeds for backyards: wait ‘till you see these!
• Resources Section: Links to additional information on chicken breeds, plus where to obtain your chickens
Be Sure to Read This Before You Get Chickens
Thinking about getting chickens? Not sure what kind is best? If you’re ready to learn which types of hens lay lots of eggs on a regular basis, make good pets, and fit happily in small sized yards, you’ve come to the right place. This e-booklet provides you with information on 12 types of chickens which are best suited for a small back yard flock.
Plus Bonus Section: 5 Exotic Breeds for Backyards
Also included is a bonus chapter covering 5 Exotic Poultry Chicken Breeds which are also suitable for backyards. If you've never seen a bird that looks like a chicken crossed with a turkey, another one with a head resembling a feather duster, a third that looks more like a rabbit than a chicken, a hen that lays dark chocolate brown eggs, and a one pound chicken 6-12 inches tall that people keep as an indoor pet, then prepare to meet some new friends! Amazingly, each of these has a friendly personality and all can make good pets.
There’s a lot of free information online about different kinds of chickens. It’s great to have this available, but sorting through it can take a lot of time. When I decided to get chickens, I spent many hours researching different chicken breeds in books and on the Internet. At the time, I had a small yard in the city. The only thing I knew about chickens was that the hens lay the eggs and the roosters make most of the noise!
From my research, I learned that there are as many as 175 different kinds of chickens in the world. However, only 12 chicken breeds met my criteria, which were:
• Regular and prolific egg layers
• Comfortable in an enclosed coop and run area
• Preferably, not too loud
• Friendly around people
Save Time and Money
It would take you at least two or three hours just to find this information, even before you sort through, read, and analyze it. Instead, I’ve put all the important stuff in this short booklet (which only appears longer because of all the chicken pictures, another essential element for people choosing breeds). I’ve summarized the lengthy raw material from my own research, selected the best breeds for backyards, and presented this information in a format you can use.
Don't Get the Wrong Kind of Chickens!
Be sure to read this booklet before you get chickens!
Don't make the mistake of getting the wrong kind of chickens for your small yard. The wrong kinds can eat lots of food, get fat, and lay few eggs. They can be loud, aggressive, obnoxious, or scared of people. The right kinds will lay eggs almost every day, stay calm and quiet, let you pick them up and pet them, and will not mind being kept in a coop and fenced area!
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 7, 2014
Pictures of chickens
The info was handy to know about the size of birds and number of eggs. I just love the pictures with the grass, landscaping and shrubbery. I would always love to combine the two backyard pleasures myself. (chickens + landscaping)
The info was handy to know about the size of birds and number of eggs. I just love the pictures with the grass, landscaping and shrubbery. I would always love to combine the two backyard pleasures myself. (chickens + landscaping)
September 16, 2019
Fun fast read
Just having purchased a few acres in Georgia we naturally want the experience of having our egg production. But which to buy, how many, are some better? Headache later we read this pamphlet and it just seems clearer now. We know which 2 breeds we will start with to get a skill set of sorts and then add birds or breeds. Well written, references.
Just having purchased a few acres in Georgia we naturally want the experience of having our egg production. But which to buy, how many, are some better? Headache later we read this pamphlet and it just seems clearer now. We know which 2 breeds we will start with to get a skill set of sorts and then add birds or breeds. Well written, references.
February 14, 2019
Quick read that is worth your time
Covers a wide range of information on the breeds most commonly kept in the small backyard. The authors other books are equally well written and deserving of review
Covers a wide range of information on the breeds most commonly kept in the small backyard. The authors other books are equally well written and deserving of review
September 6, 2025
Great writing with great photos
This book is written like an informative conversation or being at a small business and the owner is enthusiastic to help newbies. Photos of featured chickens are vivid. I'm glad I have this resource.
This book is written like an informative conversation or being at a small business and the owner is enthusiastic to help newbies. Photos of featured chickens are vivid. I'm glad I have this resource.
July 8, 2018
Helpful
This book is small, a quick read, but provides some good, essential information about various chicken breeds. Recommended for any chicken-keeper, or those considering it.
This book is small, a quick read, but provides some good, essential information about various chicken breeds. Recommended for any chicken-keeper, or those considering it.
December 20, 2018
Nice overview
February 6, 2021
Broken web links
The links that are in the book are broken would like to have been Abel to go straight there but, other then that it was a good book
The links that are in the book are broken would like to have been Abel to go straight there but, other then that it was a good book
February 23, 2021
Best Chicken Breeds
This was a very easy read, informative and well written. I found it easy to follow and even learned of a chicken breed I've never heard of before
This was a very easy read, informative and well written. I found it easy to follow and even learned of a chicken breed I've never heard of before
May 19, 2014
The star rating given reflects my opinion within ‘the official goodreads rating system’.
1 star: Didn’t Like it
2 stars: It’s Okay
3 stars: Liked it
4 stars: Really Liked it
5 stars: It Was Amazing
I don’t really give a rat-fuck that there are some who think I ‘owe’ an explanation for my opinion. Nope, nada, and not sorry about it.
Sometimes I may add notes to explain what my opinions are based on, and sometimes I don’t. I do this for me, on my books, in my library and I don’t ‘owe’ any special snowflakes a thing. Fuck off if you don’t like it and stop reading my shit.
Particularly given the ‘modifications’ to reader’s personal content going on (and outright censorship), unless particularly motivated I will not comment in detail.
It would help if GR was forthcoming in the new ‘appropriate’ and would make a site-wide announcement delineating the new focus from a reader-centric site to one that is now for authors and selling.
May 19, 2013
The front matter could have been left off or shortened. The list is where the meat is and is about all that is necessary in this short, but precise list. Gets the job done and gives you a place to start if you're interested in chickens for egg-laying qualities. For the price, I'd say it's worth it (it was around a dollar and change last time I looked.) There may be a similar lists on the web, but this lays out the laying habits, names, and personalities of 12 types of chickens, along with the climates they can handle.
March 22, 2013
Wonderful little book that answered all my questions about which chickens to consider. Which ones lay the most, tolerate small spaces and other breeds and above all; which ones are friendly, pet-like.
The book also has good references to more indepth information like choosing and building coops, feed - well whatever you need to know about chickens. This is just an excellent place to start your chicken research.
The book also has good references to more indepth information like choosing and building coops, feed - well whatever you need to know about chickens. This is just an excellent place to start your chicken research.
December 29, 2013
Great summary of information
This saved me so much time. I loved the breakdown of each breed. I am a beginner and had somewhat of an idea about the type of chicken I wanted, or so I thought. This changed my mind and I was able to find two breeds that I never would've considered. Great find!
This saved me so much time. I loved the breakdown of each breed. I am a beginner and had somewhat of an idea about the type of chicken I wanted, or so I thought. This changed my mind and I was able to find two breeds that I never would've considered. Great find!
February 27, 2016
Helpful summary
I bought 3 Barred rocks for my first time backyard chickens; however, I have read that a mixed flock is a better idea. This booklet has been very helpful in ruling out some of my other choices. Heat tolerance and ability to integrate into an existing flock are bits of information that are not easily found. I was hoping for a few more pictures.
I bought 3 Barred rocks for my first time backyard chickens; however, I have read that a mixed flock is a better idea. This booklet has been very helpful in ruling out some of my other choices. Heat tolerance and ability to integrate into an existing flock are bits of information that are not easily found. I was hoping for a few more pictures.
May 4, 2014
Cute, great pictures. Best on a color device. I bought it twice once in each account. The second time was TO have the color pictures on my kindle Fire. Very helpful when starting our flock. Which we did with two chicks just before Easter.
January 12, 2014
What a fantastic resource! Anyone who wants to choose which chickens to get for their backyard should start here!
March 12, 2015
A concise guide to get someone like myself on the path to chicken herdin'. A worthwhile reference for the growing chicken section of my library.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews