001. Species.

Chicken

Gallus gallus domesticus

Plumage genetics combines multi-allele Extension/MC1R series with dilution (I/PMEL17), sex-linked Silver/Gold (S/SLC45A2), sex-linked Barring (B/CDKN2A), and modifier genes for pattern. Structural mutations cover Frizzle (F/KRT75, homozygous Frazzle is welfare-sensitive), Naked Neck (Na/BMP12), Crest (Cr/HOXC8, associated with cerebral hernia in some Polish lines), Fibromelanosis (Fm/EDN3, the Silkie/Cemani black-bone trait), and Silkie hookless feathers. Comb morphology has two epistatic loci (Rose R/MNR2 with sperm motility tradeoff, Pea P/SOX5). Egg shell color includes the retroviral O/SLCO1B3 insertion producing blue eggs.

Species

Chicken on Breed Ledger

ClassBird

Breeds17

Registries0

On record0

Groups1

TierReference

001Breed catalog 002Breeders

002. Breed catalog

17 recognized
chicken breeds.

Breeds are grouped by working purpose. Each entry links to its trait profile, registry recognition, and the breeders running that breed on Breed Ledger.

Search17 of 17

Group

A2 entries

Ameraucana on Breed Ledger

Ameraucana

Breed derived from South American Araucanas, recognized for laying blue eggs. APA recognized. Calm, adaptable, and available in several standardized colors.

Australorp on Breed Ledger

Australorp

Heavy, dual-purpose breed originating in Australia from Black Orpington stock. APA American Class. World-record egg layer; docile temperament popular with backyard and production flocks.

B1 entry

Brahma on Breed Ledger

Brahma

Giant, feather-footed breed from the United States developed from Asian imports. APA Asiatic Class. Calm, gentle giant and one of the largest standard chicken breeds.

C2 entries

Cochin on Breed Ledger

Cochin

Large, heavily feathered breed from China with an exceptionally gentle temperament. APA Asiatic Class. Popular show bird; poor layer but excellent broody hen.

Cornish on Breed Ledger

Cornish

Heavily muscled English breed and the foundation of the modern broiler industry. APA English Class. Short, wide body with a pea comb and close-fitting plumage.

D1 entry

Dominique on Breed Ledger

Dominique

America's oldest breed, a dual-purpose bird with a distinctive rose comb and cuckoo-barred pattern. APA American Class. Hardy and self-sufficient forager.

E1 entry

Easter Egger

Hybrid or mixed-breed chicken carrying the blue-egg gene, producing eggs in blue, green, olive, or pink. Not APA recognized but widely bred and in high demand. Often confused with Ameraucanas and Araucanas.

L1 entry

Leghorn on Breed Ledger

Leghorn

Lean, active laying breed from Italy and the backbone of commercial egg production. APA Mediterranean Class. White Leghorn lays more eggs per year than nearly any other breed.

M1 entry

Marans on Breed Ledger

Marans

Dual-purpose French breed prized for laying very dark chocolate-brown eggs. APA Continental Class. Cuckoo Marans most common; quiet and docile.

O1 entry

Orpington on Breed Ledger

Orpington

Large, fluffy dual-purpose English breed developed in Orpington, Kent. APA English Class. Exceptionally friendly and available in many color varieties including the popular Buff.

P2 entries

Plymouth Rock on Breed Ledger

Plymouth Rock

Dual-purpose breed popular in American farmsteads for over 150 years. APA American Class. Barred variety is most common; calm, friendly, and productive.

Polish on Breed Ledger

Polish

Ornamental breed with a distinctive crest of head feathers. APA Continental Class. Calm and friendly but impaired vision from crest can make them startled easily.

R1 entry

Rhode Island Red on Breed Ledger

Rhode Island Red

Premier American egg-laying breed developed in Rhode Island. APA American Class. Hardy, productive, and adaptable; state bird of Rhode Island.

S2 entries

Silkie on Breed Ledger

Silkie

Ornamental Asian breed with uniquely silky, fur-like plumage and black skin. APA All Other Standard Breeds. Exceptionally broody, docile, and popular for hatching eggs of other poultry.

Sussex on Breed Ledger

Sussex

Dual-purpose English breed with a long history as a table bird. APA English Class. Alert, curious, and productive; Speckled and Light varieties most common.

W2 entries

Welsummer on Breed Ledger

Welsummer

Dutch dual-purpose breed known for laying large, deep terracotta-brown eggs. APA Continental Class. Active forager with classic partridge-colored plumage.

Wyandotte on Breed Ledger

Wyandotte

Dual-purpose American breed with a rose comb and laced plumage pattern. APA American Class. Cold-hardy, docile, and available in many color varieties.

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