How to Differentiate Breeds of Chickens

There are several varieties of chickens that can be separated into three main categories-egg layers, meat type birds and dual purpose birds. Even if you raise chickens to help preserve them or as pets, they still fit the basic three categories. It can be difficult to differentiate the types of chicken when more than one type of chicken is present.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Look at the color and style of the feathers. Different types of chickens have different plumage. White, red or black and brown chickens are common in America. The length of the tail feathers varies by type as well.

2. Find out what color eggs the chickens lay. Chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs while chickens with red or brown earlobes lay brown eggs. Certain types of chickens like the Araucana or Americauan breeds lay blue or green eggs.

3. Know the most commonly found breeds for your location. If you are in America, you should expect the majority of chickens to be Leghorns regardless of color. Langshan chickens originated in China and remain popular.

4. Look at the chicken's comb on top of the chicken's head. Male chickens tend to have larger combs than female chickens. Varieties include the buttercup, cushion, pea, rose and strawberry.

5. Check the type of waddle located under the chicken's chin. A rose wattle splits into two sections. Most chickens have a single section wattle.

6. Compare the sizes of the chickens. Meat-type birds produce more meat and weigh more than other varieties of chickens. Dual purpose birds fall between meat types and egg layers in size.

7. Spend time studying the characteristics and photographs or different types of chickens.