Homesteading has grown from the practice of self-sufficient living to encompass self-sustainability in a range of settings. Keeping chickens in these different settings requires planning and knowledge to choose the right birds for your situation and needs.
The chicken breed best for homesteading depends on several factors. Some chickens are better egg layers, others are best for meat, and others are good for both. Your climate, available space, and the whether the chickens are for self-sufficiency or commercial purposes will affect your choice.
We will explore the characteristics of a good homesteading chicken, highlight several breeds ideal for homesteading purposes, and offer some tips for choosing the right chickens for your homestead. This will give you a good understanding of which chickens are best suited to homesteading and how to choose the right breeds for your needs.
How To Select The Best Chickens For Homesteading
Chickens are valuable for homesteaders for several reasons. They provide a source of fresh eggs and meat, and they can also help control pests and weeds in the garden. Additionally, they produce high-quality manure, which can fertilize crops and improve soil health.
Besides providing food for your family, chickens can also be used as a source of income on the homestead, influencing the type of chickens you select.
Not all chicken breeds are created equal when it comes to homesteading. Some breeds are better suited to the demands of self-sufficient living than others. Homesteaders need to choose the right breeds that can withstand the demands of homesteading and provide the desired results.
Consider The Role Of Chickens On Your Homestead
Every person looking to keep chickens on the homestead must evaluate the intended purpose for the birds, as this will significantly affect the type of chickens best suited to your purpose.
You may select chickens as a livestock option for your homestead for several reasons.
- Egg supply. Eggs are a nutritious food source that can be beneficial as part of your self-sufficiency plan for you and your family. Certain chickens are better egg-layers than others.
- Meat production. Chickens can be a healthy source of protein on the homestead, providing the meat component of your diet. Some chickens are better for meat than they are for egg production.
- Pest control.
- Fertilizer creation.
- Self-sufficiency. This will determine the scale of your chicken-raising operation. Keeping enough chickens to feed your family is a smaller-scale operation and may require different chicken breeds.
- Income generating. Raising chickens for income or commercial purposes is generally large scale compared to self-sufficiency purposes. This requires a focus on chicken breeds that will maximize the financial returns from the flock.
In most cases, homesteaders use chickens for a combination of these purposes on the homestead, which requires selecting the chicken breed carefully.
Characteristics Of A Good Homesteading Chicken
Each chicken breed has characteristics that make them best suited to certain purposes. I have listed the main characteristics you should consider when selecting chickens for your homestead.
- Hardiness and ability to withstand various climates. A good homesteading chicken should be able to handle a range of temperatures and weather conditions, including hot summers and cold winters. Hardiness is especially important for homesteaders who live in regions with extreme weather patterns.
- Foraging and free-range abilities. Chickens that can forage for food and graze on pasture are ideal for homesteading. These chickens can help reduce feed costs and produce eggs and meat with a more diverse nutrient profile.
- Egg-laying productivity. Homesteading chickens should produce a consistent supply of fresh eggs. Most breeds will lay around 200-300 eggs yearly, but some breeds can lay up to 320 eggs yearly. A good homesteading chicken should also be able to lay eggs throughout the year, even in winter.
- Meat quality. Chickens producing high-quality meat are important for homesteaders who want to raise their own food. Look for breeds with tender, flavorful meat and well-suited for roasting or frying.
- Docile and friendly temperament. Chickens with a calm and friendly demeanor are easier to handle, making them ideal for homesteaders just starting their adventure. They are also less likely to cause problems with other animals on the homestead.
You can ensure you have a reliable source of eggs and meat while also reducing feed costs and improving soil health by carefully selecting chickens with these traits.
Chicken Breeds Ideal For Homesteading
Many breeds of chickens are well-suited to homesteading, but you must research the various breeds to find the ones best suited to your needs.
To give you a boost with your research, I have listed some chicken breeds I found useful for homesteading.
- Rhode Island Red Chickens. This breed is hardy, adaptable, and productive. Rhode Island Reds are excellent layers, producing around 200-300 brown eggs per year. They also have good meat qualities, making them a versatile breed for homesteaders.
- Plymouth Rock Chickens. Plymouth Rocks are docile and easy to handle, making them an ideal breed for beginners. They are also hardy and able to withstand cold winters. Plymouth Rocks are productive layers, producing around 200-280 brown eggs per year.
- Sussex Chickens. Sussex chickens are calm and friendly, making them a great choice for homesteaders with children. They are also excellent foragers and can produce between 180 and 280 brown eggs per year.
- Orpingtons. Orpingtons are known for their docile and friendly temperament, making them a popular homesteading choice. They are also hardy and productive layers, producing around 200-280 light brown eggs annually. Orpingtons are also well-suited for meat production.
- Australorps. This breed is hardy and adaptable to different climates, making it a good choice for homesteaders in various regions. Australorps are also excellent layers, producing between 250 and 320 brown eggs annually.
- New Hampshire Red. New Hampshire Reds are hardy and productive layers, producing up to 200 to 220 brown eggs annually. They also have good meat qualities, making them a versatile breed for homesteaders. New Hampshire Reds are not very friendly birds, so don’t choose this breed if you like to handle your chickens.
- Jersey Giant. As their name suggests, Jersey Giants are a large breed of chicken, making them well-suited for meat production. They are also hardy and can lay 150 to 200 brown eggs annually.
By selecting one or more of these breeds, you can ensure you have a reliable source of eggs and meat while also enjoying the benefits of a friendly, docile, and hardy chicken
Other Factors To Consider When Choosing Chickens For Homesteading
The purpose of the chickens on your homestead is not the only consideration when selecting the optimal breed for your needs.
The following are several additional considerations that will factor into your chicken breed selection.
- Climate. Your region’s climate will play a significant role in which chicken breeds are best suited for your homestead. For example, if you live in a colder climate, you’ll want to choose a breed that can withstand harsh winters.
- Space. Consider the amount of space you have available for your chickens. Some breeds are better suited for small coops, while others require more space to roam and forage.
- Purpose. Determine the primary purpose for raising chickens on your homestead. If you plan to focus on egg production, look for breeds known for being productive layers. If your plan is to raise chickens for meat, choose a breed with good meat qualities. Dual-purpose chickens are best for self-sufficiency purposes on the homestead.
- Personal preference. Consider your personal preferences regarding the appearance, temperament, and behavior of the chickens you want to raise. Do you prefer a friendly and docile chicken or a more independent and active breed?
- Availability. Depending on the region where you live, some chicken breeds may be more readily available than others. Research local hatcheries or breeders to see what breeds are available in your area.
Ultimately, the right breed of chicken for your homestead will depend on your unique needs and preferences.
Conclusion
Raising chickens on a homestead can be a rewarding and sustainable practice. When choosing the right breed of chicken, homesteaders should consider the breed’s characteristics, such as productivity, hardiness, temperament, climate, space, purpose, personal preference, and availability.
Choosing the right chicken for your situation and needs will make your chicken-raising enterprise a success and make it easier to keep chickens on the homestead.
References
https://www.thespruce.com/chicken-breeds-small-farm-backyard-flock-3016586
https://www.thespruce.com/chicken-breeds-rhode-island-red-3016554
https://breeds.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/new-hampshire-red-chickens.html