All chicks are cute, but you may want to be strategic in which breed you get for your coop. For 2023, breed selection may be based on availability as chicks will be in demand this Spring. I would encourage planning, but prepare for changes. I think having an idea of 3-4 breeds will help with chick buying just in case a breed is tough to find in your area. Also, check out this post on Fluffy Chick Time for planning. Okay, let's do a quick run through of needs you may have and the breeds that might work for you.
Egg Production
Looking for producers? Here's some that are above 250 eggs a year.
Australorp
Barred Rock
Leghorn
Rhode Island Red
Sexlink (Star)
Sussex
Dual Purpose
These breeds are great for egg production or meat. Yes, some people raise chickens for meat on their homestead...if you do, just don't name them!
Australorp
Black Sexlink (aka Black Star)
Delaware
Dominique
Jersey Giant
Orpington
Plymouth Rock
Rhode Island Red
Speckled Sussex
Wyandotte
Friendly
These are some chicken breeds that are known to be friendly and good family chickens.
Australorp (although I have one that despite holding as a chick is super aloof)
Barred Rock
Brahma
Buff Orpington (aka Golden Retriever of Chickens...Lavender also friendly)
Cochin
Easter Eggers
Faverolles
Jersey Giant
Plymouth Rock
Polish
Rhode Island Red
Silkies (finally the fancy chicken!)
Speckled Sussex
Wyandotte
Quiet
These are some breeds that are on the quiet side. Although chickens do talk, they just do.
Ameraucana
Australorp
Brahma
Cochin
Easter Eggers
Orpingtons
Rhode Island Red
Wyandotte
Confinement
Not able to free range? These breeds are better with confinement or small backyards.
Brahma
Cochin
Delaware
Easter Egger
Orpington
Polish
Plymouth Rock
Salmon Faverolle
Silkie
Sussex
Wyandotte
Free Ranger
Planning on free ranging. Some of these breeds are more aware of raptors than other chickens.
Ameraucana
Ancona
Buckeye
Easter Eggers
Egyptian Fayoumi
Golden Comet
Jersey Giant (too big for a hawk)
Plymouth Rock
Rhode Island Red
Welsummer
Cold Hardy Tolerate cold winters (East North America). Note you will still need to make provisions for freezing temps.
Australorp
Brahma (fluffy feet)
Buckeye
Cochin
Delaware
Orpington
Plymouth Rock
Rhode Island Red
Silkie
Welsummer
Wyandotte
Heat Hardy
Tolerate hot summers better. Note you will still need to create provision for 90+ temps.
Ancona
Egyptian Fayoumi
Leghorn
Plymouth Rock
*Note that I live in CA and raise Orpingtons and Australorps without illness. Just have to be on top of prevention of heat illness - shade, air, misters, water, and cooling treats.
Colored Eggs
Looking to have variety of colors in your egg basket?
Ameraucana - blue
Araucana - blue, green
Cream Legbar - blue
Easter Egger - blue, green, pink, light brown/tan (keep in mind that whatever shell color they produce that is the only color you will get from that hen)
Olive Egger - olive
Maran - deep brown
Sussex - cream
Welsummers - dark brown
Happy Chicken Coop has a great amount of info on chicken breeds and have similar lists, so definitely venture over there for more info on certain breeds.
Some quick terminology you might see while looking at available chicks...
Heritage: This is a standard breed that can only come from the American Poultry Association standard parents (hen/rooster). These breeds were established prior to the mid-20th century according to Livestock Conservancy. They are perfect in the eyes of the APA.
Sexlink: In other words, a hybrid. This chicken is a cross of two heritage/purebred chickens. They were bred for production. The chicks are easy to sex without the vent check (the rear hole if you are new to chicken anatomy) as you can tell based on feathers. For example, Black Sexlinks males have a white dot on their head. These are also known as Stars, which I much prefer using in a browser search (be sure to type chicken with sexlink).
I had two Black Sexlinks (Stars) that were great chickens, but not as friendly to the other chickens. They both ended up being given away as they picked on one of my Buff Orpingtons and I couldn't reform them.
Straight Run: These are chicks that are not sexed. You have a 50/50 chance of getting a rooster.
I hope this helps you with your planning. I will say that there are a lot of great breeds out there that cover multiple categories. You just have to decide what your priorities and needs are. Happy researching!
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