• Chickens Breeds

There are many different varieties of chickens breeds throughout the world. Chickens are the most common species of bird and have been used by man for many hundreds of years as a source of food from both the eggs and the meat. 

Chickens are domesticated birds which although attempt to fly are unable to do so. They are capable of flapping their wings but they are unable to remain successfully airborne. The average chicken lives for between five and seven years, when left to roam as free range and used only for their egg laying capabilities have been known to live considerably longer, pet chickens are recorded as having lived for some twenty years. 

All breeds of chickens are susceptible to predators such as foxes, skunks and owls. They need to be provided with protection from these predators as well as the wind and rain. 

Chickens breeds are classified by their size, colour and plumage. Within the breeds there are further names given to the different varieties of the same breed. The names given to the breeds are often associated with the place they were first bred, for example the Orpington originated from Orpington, Kent in the United Kingdom where as the Rhode Island Red was bred in Rhode Island in the Untied States. 

The Rode Island Red are a popular choice amongst chickens breeds due to their resilience to illness and good egg production, which is usually between two hundred and fifty to three hundred eggs per bird each year, this breed is also used for table meat and as show birds. They have dark reddish brown feathers with a high lustre and sheen, red or orange eyes and yellow feet. Some of the different varieties have purple spots or green stripes in their feathers, making them very attractive show birds. 

Chickens breeds such as the Orpington lay far fewer eggs than the Rhode Island, usually between one hundred to slightly over one hundred and fifty a year, however, they do continue to lay through the winter. The egg sizes also vary from small to large depending on which variety of Orpington is laying. Orpington chickens are also used for their meat and like the Rhode Island Reds are also bred as show birds.