CHICKEN

OVERVIEW,BREEDS/STRAINS AND ANATOMY

OVERVIEW
 Overview on chickens
• Chickens are in old species of animal that have been
around for centuries. They are commonly used for eggs,
meat, pets, and exhibition/ornamental (showing). There are
different classes of chickens such as Exhibition/Ornamental
(such as a Silkie), dual purpose birds used for meat and
eggs (such as a Barred Plymouth Rock), meat (such as a
Cornish game), and eggs (such as the Leghorn). Chickens
have been bred over the years to have different sizes,
combs, and feathering.
TWO SIZES OF CHICKEN

• Bantams -are smaller chickens that lay

smaller eggs.
• Large fowl-are bigger chickens that lay
bigger eggs.
Eggs and Meat

Eggs and meat are the most common uses for

chickens. Most people get chickens for small time
production in their own backyard.
Chickens as Pets

Some people keep chickens as pets. I know it sounds

weird, but many people have pet chickens! They can be a
fun thing for your whole family, and you can learn a lot
about how chickens think and what they do. Chickens can't
learn much but they can follow you around and be devoted
to you (for food of course).
BREEDS/STRAINS
BREEDING
Breeding
You can also start breeding your own chickens. I would not recommend starting
with this right away either. You would need to research further before you jump
into breeding. What you will need for breeding your own chickens is:

1. A fertile rooster
2. A hen
3.Eggs
4. A broody hen or an incubator (A 'Broody hen' is when a hen stays in the nest
for a long period of time incubating her eggs) 
5. Information on how to do it
6. A brooding area (little box for the chicks)
7. Heat lamp
DIFFERENT BREEDS OF CHICKEN
Orpington
Orpingtons are big, friendly dual-purpose birds originally
developed in the UK, and for many small farms Orpingtons
are the only way to go! They're friendly and cold-hardy due
to their fluffy plumage. The Buff Orpington is the most
popular and all varieties, especially the black and blue, are
rare.
Orpington
Origins/History:
Class: English
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Heavy (7-8 lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: Dual
Recognized Varieties: Buff, Black, Blue,
White--Splash and Lavender (not recognized
yet)

Egg Facts: Fancy Features:

Egg Laying: Good Comb Type: Single Comb
(3/wk) Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Egg Color: Brown Number of Toes: 4
Egg Size: Large
Plymouth Rock

Barred Plymouth Rocks or "Barred Rocks", as they're

called, are one of the most popular dual-purpose chickens
on small farms today. Their heritage is unclear with reports
of different crosses, but what is clear is that they're very
friendly, great layers of large brown eggs and able to
withstand cold weather quite nicely. Though they tolerate
confinement, they're most happy when they get to range
freely. All varieties of Plymouth Rock aside from the Barred
and White varieties are relatively rare.
 Plymouth Rock Origins/History:
Class: American
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Heavy (7-8 lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: DualRecognized
Varieties: Barred, White, Buff,
Egg Facts: Silver Penciled, Partridge,
Egg Laying: Very Good (4/wk)Egg Columbian, Blue, Black
Color: BrownEgg
Fancy Features:
Size: Large
Comb Type: Single Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4
Wyandotte

Wyandottes are a favorite amongst backyard flock

owners for their dependable egg laying, easygoing
nature, hardiness, and the great variety of beautiful
feather patterns available. Silver Penciled, Golden
Laced, Blue, Columbian and White Wyandottesare
all rather rare.
 Wyandotte
Origins/History:
Class: American
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Heavy (7-8 lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: Dual
Recognized Varieties: Official: Silver Laced,
Golden Laced, White, Black, Buff, Partridge,
Silver Penciled, Columbian, Blue. Unofficial:
Blue Laced Red, Barred & others.
Egg Facts:
Egg Laying: Very Good (4/wk) Fancy Features: Suitability to Backyard Life:
Egg Color: Brown Comb Type: Rose Comb Hardy In Winter: Yes
Egg Size: Large Crested: No
Bears Confinement: Bears
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4
confinement well
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: Yes
Personality: Generally easygoing with
a tendency toward domination
Naked Neck (Turken)
Naked Neck (Turken) Who knew turkeys and chickens could
interbreed? This bird looks like a turkey due to its "naked neck", but
it's all chicken! It was bred this way to be easier for cooks to pluck.
Strangely, Turkens are said to fare very well in the cold despite their
feather shortcomings and big combs (though these features do help
them in the heat). They have an unusual look that some people
don't care for, but they are also calm, very friendly and one of the
easiest chickens to tame. Relatively rare in North America, Naked
Necks are very popular in Europe, especially France and Germany.
Naked Neck (Turken)
Origins/History:
Class: All Other Breeds
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Medium (6-7 lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: Dual
Recognized Varieties: Black, White,
Buff, Red
Egg Facts: Fancy Features: Suitability to Backyard Life:
Egg Laying: Fair (2/wk) Comb Type: Single Comb Hardy In Winter: Yes
Egg Color: Light Brown Crested: No Bears Confinement: Bears confinement
Egg Size: Medium Feathered Legs: No wellEspecially
Docile: Yes
Number of Toes: 4 Setter/Broody: Yes
Personality: Easygoing and easily tamed.
Australorp

Australorps are the Australian take on the Orpington breed.

They are calm and friendly, and excellent layers of light
brown eggs. The Australorp's exceptionally soft, shiny black
plumage has hints of green and purple in the sunlight.
Peaceful and dignified, Australorps are an absolutely
delightful bird which we highly recommend to anyone who
wants a pet chicken that lays dependably.
 Australorp
Origins/History:
Class: English
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Heavy (7-8 lbs)
Rarity:
CommonPurpose: Dual
Recognized Varieties: Black

Egg Facts: Fancy Features: Suitability to Backyard Life:

Egg Laying: Excellent (5/wk)
Egg Color: BrownEgg
Size: Large
Comb Type: Single Comb Hardy In Winter: Yes
Crested: NoFeathered Bears Confinement: Bears confinement
Legs wellEspecially
NoNumber of Toes: 4 Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: Yes
Personality: Sweet and shy
Old English Game fowl

The Old English Game fowl descends directly from a

fighting breed known as the Pit Game. Though cockfighting
is no longer allowed in England, this breed's personality
hasn't changed. They tend to be noisy, active, intolerant of
confinement, and roosters absolutely cannot be kept
together - they'll fight to the death! Hens are aggressive too,
and shouldn't be kept alongside more docile breeds.
Despite this, they're a beautiful breed for the experienced
poultry keeper and the hens are reliable setters/brooders.
 Old English Game fowl
Origins/History:
Class: All Other Breeds
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Small (4-5 lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: GameRecognized
Varieties: Black-Breasted Red, Brown-Red,
Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, Red Pyle,
White, Black, others

Egg Facts: Fancy Features: Suitability to Backyard Life:

Egg Laying: Fair (2/wk) Comb Type: Single Comb Hardy In Winter: Yes
Egg Color: Cream or Tinted Crested: No Bears Confinement: Intolerant of confinement
Egg Size: Medium Feathered Legs: No Especially Docile: NoS
Number of Toes: 4 etter/Broody: Yes
Personality: aggressive, self-sufficient; noisy
Chicken Anatomy
The basic external parts of a chicken include the comb, beak,
wattles, ears, earlobes, eyes, eye rings, wings, tail, thighs, hocks,
shanks, spurs, claws, and toes. As Figure 1 shows, both male and
female chickens have these basic parts. The differences between
males and females include the size of the comb and wattles, the
size of the spurs (in older birds), and the characteristics of the
hackle and cape feathers. Hackle and cape feathers of males have
pointed ends, whereas those of females have rounder ends. In
addition, males have sickle feathers in their tails and hackle feathers
on their backs, and females do not.
FEMALE
MALE
 A chicken's wing has several flight
feathers, the axial feather separates the
primary feathers and secondary feathers.
When a hen molts, she starts losing
feathers from the axial feather out.
 The thigh of a chicken is the upper part of the leg
attached to the body of the bird. The thigh ends at the lower
leg (drumstick). The thigh is connected to the shank (foot)
at the hock joint, which is the equivalent of the ankle in
humans. Chickens stand and walk on their toes. Most
chickens have three toes projecting forward and one
projecting back, sometimes referred to as the claw. A few
breeds, however, have five toes on each foot. Some breeds
also have feathers on their shanks and toes.
MALE CHICKEN LEGS FEMALE CHICKEN LEGS
CHICKEN SKELETAL STRUCTURE ON LEGS
 A chicken's head has several parts. One of the most prominent
features on a chicken's head is the comb.A
chicken's comb and wattles are red, soft, and warm. Chickens do
not have external ears as humans do. The ears are just openings
into the ear canal, and each is protected by a covering of feathers.
The ear lobe is a specialized skin located below the ear. The color of
the ear lobe depends on the breed of chicken. The two possible
colors are red and white. The eyeball is covered by the eye ring.
When the eye is open, the eye ring appears as a ring of skin around
the eye (thus the name eye ring).
PART OF ROOSTER HEAD
Comb types
 SPECIAL FEATURES
How To Raise Chickens
Why Raise Chickens?

• Easy and inexpensive to maintain (when compared to most other

pets)
• Eggs that are fresh, great-tasting & nutritious
• Chemical-free bug and weed control
• Manufacture the worlds best fertilizer
• Fun & friendly pets with personality
 Are BackYard Chickens Legal in
Your City?

• Search our database of local chicken laws & ordinances

• Double check your local city / town ordinances and homeowner's
association
• Make sure you have a good relationship with your neighbors (the
promise of no roosters and free eggs helps!)
 How To Care For A Chick - First 60 Days:

• You'll need a chick brooder - See our list of homemade brooders

• Flooring - Pine shavings & corn cob bedding are best. Stay clear of
newspaper since it doesn't absorb well and can be slippery.
• Temperature - 90 to 100 deg. for the first week, decrease 5 deg. per week.
Be VERY careful of fire hazards!
• Food & water - chick crumbles / starter & a chick waterer (see our list of
homemade feeders &waterers)
• Play time - Play with your chicks when young to get the use to
being around people
•
 Chicken Care After First 60 Days,
General Chicken Care:

• Once feathered out you'll want to move your chickens into a chicken coop! Rule of thumb is
about 2-3 square feet per chicken inside the henhouse and 4-5 sq/ft per chicken in an
outside run. Keep local chicken predators in mind and make a safe home for your flock!
• Flooring - Pine shavings work best. You can even try the deep litter method for even less
maintenance.
• Food & Water - Most people go with formulated chicken layer feed / pellets. You can even
make a homemade chicken feeder / waterer
• Treats - Vegetables, bread, bugs, chicken scratch (cracked corn, milo, wheat)
•
Thank you