Claire Thompson
There are several ways to tell what type of chicken you have. Firstly, you can identify the breed by their physical characteristics, such as feather markings, the presence of cheek or top-knot poufs, or the size of the bird. For example, chickens with top-knot poufs of feathers are likely Polish, Spitzhauben, Houden, or Silkie breeds. Additionally, you can observe their behaviour and personality traits. Spending time with your chickens and observing their unique dispositions, noises, and interactions within the pecking order can help distinguish them from one another.
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What You'll Learn
Observe physical characteristics, such as feather markings, leg markings, and size
To identify the breed of a chicken, you can observe its physical characteristics, such as feather markings, leg markings, and size. Firstly, in terms of feather markings, roosters have saddle feathers and a main sickle, which hens usually do not. Roosters will also have longer tail feathers than hens. Some breeds have a mutation that causes extra feathering under the face, giving the appearance of a beard. Bearded chickens, like Ameraucanas, have fluffy feathering on their cheeks that meet in the middle underneath the beak. Ameraucanas also have small red earlobes and legs that are pale blue to grey.
Secondly, regarding leg markings, chickens' legs are usually unfeathered, but some breeds have feathered legs. For example, the outer toe of each foot of an Australian Langshan chicken is feathered.
Lastly, chickens vary in size, with bantam chickens being a variety of small chicken, usually one-third to one-half the size of a standard chicken.
In addition to the above, you can also observe the chicken's behaviour to determine its breed and sex. Roosters, for instance, are more assertive or aggressive at a young age.
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Listen to their unique sounds and voices
Chickens are among the most vocal animals, with at least 24 distinct sounds and perhaps as many as 30. While different breeds will have different ways of vocalizing, the common sounds are all inherently the same. By paying attention to how they communicate and interact with each other, you can learn to understand what each of their noises means.
Roosters have a distinct "cock-a-doodle-doo" crow, which they use to announce their presence and establish their territory and dominance over other roosters. They also make this sound in anticipation of daylight, as they have an internal circadian rhythm clock of about 23.8 hours. The dominant rooster in a flock will always crow first, followed by the others. Roosters also make a repetitive clucking sound to call the hens over when they've found food.
Hens have different voices, some with adorable coos, while others have the more typical "bawk" sound. They also make a loud "buk, buk, buk, ba-gawk" when laying an egg, which can get quite noisy if there are multiple hens laying at the same time. Broody hens are known to growl, which is their way of saying "Leave me and my eggs alone!". They will also give a warning growl if they feel threatened or agitated.
Chickens also make various other sounds to communicate with their flock, such as warbling, chirping, and purring. They may also make alarm cries to warn of danger, with different calls for ground or air threats. For example, a repetitive clucking that becomes faster, louder, and more persistent as a ground predator approaches, and a scream or shriek to warn of a hawk in the air.
In addition to these common sounds, chickens also have their own unique voices and methods of communication. For example, one chicken owner described how their hen would make a "buh-dup" sound when greeting them or other chickens, almost like saying "Hey" or "What's up?". Another chicken owner described how their chickens would give them funny critical glances and make a "hmmmwuuuuuuuuuuhk?" sound, as if to say "Where are your treats? I know you have treats somewhere.".
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Notice their personalities and dispositions
Chickens have distinct personalities and dispositions. They learn, communicate, and even have arguments with each other. Spending time with your chickens will help you understand their personalities and dispositions. They can be kind to each other, and they can also fight their way through the pecking order. Each chicken is aware of its position in the pecking order. They can even recognise the individual faces of other chickens in the coop.
Chicken owners often talk about hearing the anxious clucks of their nagging chickens around feeding time. A hen might even seek you out once she has laid an egg, as if to tell you it's ready for collection. Chickens also have their own unique sounds, and you will be able to identify them just by their voices.
Different breeds have personalities commonly associated with them. For example, the Barred Plymouth Rock is known for its gentle, sweet-natured temperament, making it great for families. In contrast, the Ancona is loud and flighty. The Bielefelder is a modern breed developed in the early 1970s in Bielefeld, Germany. They are known to be calm, friendly, and good winter layers. The Dominique is the oldest American chicken breed, known for being hearty, docile, and friendly, making them a great breed for families. Ornamental chicken breeds are also popular for their friendly personalities, making them delightful companions for chicken enthusiasts.
When selecting a chicken breed, it is important to consider your goals for raising chickens. For example, if you are raising chickens as a hobby or for eggs, meat, or show. It is also important to consider the breed's temperament and personality. Each breed has general temperament tendencies, but each bird will have a unique personality.
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Examine the colour of their eggs
The colour of a chicken's eggs can vary from white to cream, deep espresso, blue, freckled, or even green. The most common colours are white and brown. The colour of the egg is determined by the breed of the chicken. For example, the Araucana breed of chickens have earlobes that are a pale green or blue colour and lay eggs of the corresponding hue.
It is widely believed that chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs, while those with red earlobes lay brown eggs. However, this is not an absolute rule, as there are exceptions. For example, a brown egg-laying chicken may occasionally lay white eggs during moulting. Additionally, the colour of the earlobe may vary due to ancestral lineages, mutations, and adaptability to local conditions.
The intensity of the egg colour can also vary depending on the time of year and the health of the chicken. The darkest-coloured eggs are typically laid earlier in the season, with the colour gradually fading over time. The health of the chicken, particularly its diet, can also impact the colour of the yolk, with deeper yellow or orange yolks indicating a diet rich in greens and carotenoids.
While the shell colour does not affect the taste of the egg, it can be a fun addition to your egg basket. If you are interested in adding more colour to your egg collection, you may need to expand your flock and consider different breeds of chickens.
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Research the breed's history and purpose
Researching the breed's history and purpose can be an effective way to identify a chicken breed. Chicken breeds have a rich history, and by understanding their past, you can gain valuable insights into their distinguishing characteristics. Here are some aspects to consider:
Origin and Classification:
The British Poultry Standards recognise 93 pure chicken breeds, classified by size, feathering, origin, and rarity. Knowing the origin of your chicken's breed can provide clues about its purpose and characteristics. For example, if your chicken's breed originates from a region with a specific climate or geographic features, it may be adapted to those conditions.
Historical Purpose:
Different chicken breeds were developed for specific purposes, such as egg-laying or meat production. Understanding the historical purpose of a breed can give you an idea of its characteristics. For instance, Hybrid chickens are known for their egg-laying capabilities and are popular among those seeking high egg production.
Historical Context:
Explore the historical context that led to the development of various chicken breeds. For example, cockfighting was outlawed in England in 1849, which prompted breeders to turn to exhibiting their birds in competitions. This shift influenced breeding practices and the development of certain characteristics prized for showing, such as appearance and uniformity.
Ancestral Breeds:
Trace the ancestral lineage of the breed. The ancestor of domesticated breeds is the Red Junglefowl. However, each breed may have specific ancestral lines that contribute to their unique traits. For example, Easter Egger chicks are known for laying colourful blue and green eggs, a trait they inherit from their Araucana ancestors.
Breed Standards and Competitions:
The development of breed standards and poultry competitions played a significant role in shaping chicken breeds. The British Poultry Standard, written in 1865, aimed to maintain uniformity among a handful of breeds. Understanding the specific standards associated with your chicken's breed can help you identify unique traits that adhere to those standards.
By delving into the historical context, purpose, and standards associated with chicken breeds, you can gain valuable insights into their distinguishing features. This knowledge will enable you to identify your chicken's breed with greater accuracy and appreciation for its unique heritage.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to identify your chicken is by spending time with it and observing its unique markings, size, and behaviour. You can also compare its features to those of standard chicken breeds.
Observe your chicken for any unique markings, such as feather markings, or markings on the feet or legs. For example, chickens with top knots of feathers will have little pouf balls on their heads, and are usually Polish, Spitzhauben, Houden, or Silkie breeds.
Some chicken breeds are known for their size. For example, Cochins are very large, weighing up to 10 pounds, while a bantam chicken is a miniature breed, usually one-fifth to one-quarter the size of a standard breed.
Each chicken has its own personality and disposition. Some chickens are happy, crabby, shy, silly, or loud. Spending time with your chicken will allow you to get to know its unique behaviour.
If you know the breed of your chicken, you can compare its features to the standard characteristics of that breed. For example, Bielefelder chickens are known for their copper, black, and metallic green colouring, while Iowa Blues are known for their solid chestnut to striped colouring.
