Chicken Breed Comparison Chart: Eggs, Size & Temperament
A chicken breed comparison is most useful when it compares decisions, not just names. Egg numbers matter, but so do temperament, climate, broodiness, body size, comb type, predator awareness, and whether the birds fit your coop.
Use this chart to compare popular backyard breeds quickly, then open the full breed profiles for details about care, personality, and setup.
Side-by-Side Comparison Chart
| Ameraucana | 150 to 220 medium blue eggs per year | blue | active, intelligent, usually steady, and distinctive with muffs | good all-around, with pea combs helping in cold | Buy from careful breeders if true breed traits and egg color matter. |
| American Game | 80 to 140 medium eggs per year | white to tinted | extremely alert, athletic, independent, and territorial | hardy on range in many climates with appropriate shelter | Aggression between males can be severe, making the breed unsuitable for casual mixed-flock management. |
| Ancona | 180 to 260 medium white eggs per year | white | active, alert, hardy, and independent | good in warm climates; combs need winter care | They are escape-minded if fencing is short or loose. |
| Andalusian | 160 to 220 large eggs per year | white | active, alert, talkative, and energetic | excellent in heat; large combs need protection from frostbite | They are strong flyers and rarely content in small, bare runs. |
| Aseel | 40 to 100 small to medium eggs per year | cream to light brown | very confident, muscular, intelligent, and often aggressive with other chickens | excellent heat tolerance; needs dry winter shelter in cold regions | Adults, especially males, may fight seriously and require experienced management and careful separation. |
| Australorp | 220 to 280 large brown eggs per year | brown | calm, efficient, observant, and usually friendly | good in many climates with shade in summer | Black plumage absorbs heat, so summer shade and cool water matter. |
| Barnevelder | 150 to 220 large eggs per year | medium to dark brown | calm, friendly, steady, and easy to confine | good in cool climates; large combs need frostbite checks | Modern lines vary widely in egg darkness, and laying often slows in winter. |
| Belgian d’Anvers | 80 to 140 small eggs per year | cream to tinted | bold, curious, personable, and sometimes assertive despite small size | moderately hardy with dry shelter and rose-comb cold advantage | Roosters can be surprisingly territorial, and tiny birds need protection from large flockmates. |
| Belgian d’Uccle | 100 to 160 small eggs per year | cream to tinted | friendly, talkative, lively, and often easy to tame | needs dry footing; feathered feet suffer in mud, snow, and wet bedding | Small size and heavy foot feathering make predator protection and dry housing essential. |
| Booted Bantam | 80 to 140 small eggs per year | cream to tinted | friendly, active, decorative, and often manageable | best with dry ground and sheltered winter quarters | Heavy foot feathering and vulture hocks collect mud and break easily in rough runs. |
| Brahma | 150 to 220 medium brown eggs per year | brown | gentle, quiet, slow-moving, and tolerant | excellent in cold dry conditions; poor in muddy feather-foot conditions | Feathered feet collect mud, ice, and mites if bedding is damp. |
| Buckeye | 150 to 220 medium brown eggs per year | brown | active, hardy, curious, and strong-legged | excellent cold hardiness with a small pea comb | They do best with room to move and can be restless in tiny bare runs. |
| Buff Orpington | 180 to 240 medium to large brown eggs per year | light brown | gentle, docile, calm, and people-friendly | excellent in cold when dry; needs shade and airflow in heat | Their dense feathering can hide weight gain, parasites, or heat stress. |
| Campine | 150 to 220 medium eggs per year | white | alert, active, independent, and energetic | tolerates heat well; large combs need winter care | Strong flight ability and a restless nature make secure, enriched runs important. |
| Catalana | 160 to 230 medium to large eggs per year | white to lightly tinted | active, independent, heat-tolerant, and strong on range | excellent in hot climates; needs frost protection in cold winters | They are not usually cuddly and do best with room to forage and escape pressure. |
| Chantecler | 150 to 220 medium to large eggs per year | brown | calm, practical, quiet, and generally easy to handle | exceptionally cold-hardy; small cushion comb reduces frostbite risk | Less common hatchery lines can vary, so source birds from breeders who select for true Chantecler type. |
| Cochin | 120 to 180 medium brown eggs per year | brown | sweet, slow, fluffy, and highly people-oriented | best in cool, dry housing; struggles in heat and mud | The same feathering that makes them charming makes parasite checks important. |
| Cornish | 100 to 160 medium eggs per year | brown | quiet, muscular, confident, and less active than many range breeds | handles cool weather but needs shade and ventilation in heat | Broad bodies, short legs, and heavy weight make high roosts and cramped housing unsuitable. |
| Cornish Cross | not kept for egg production; selected for rapid meat growth | usually brown if females mature to laying | food-focused, quiet, and low-ranging | needs careful heat, bedding, and feeding management | Unlimited feed, heat, and poor footing can create leg and heart stress. |
| Crevecoeur | 100 to 150 medium eggs per year | white | quiet, reserved, gentle, and somewhat vulnerable in mixed flocks | best in moderate, dry conditions; crests need protection from wet and mud | The crest can limit vision and collect moisture, increasing predator and bullying risks. |
| Cubalaya | 120 to 180 medium eggs per year | cream to light brown | confident, active, intelligent, and excellent at foraging | handles heat very well and remains active in tropical conditions | Males can be assertive, and the long tail feathers need space and clean conditions. |
| Delaware | 180 to 240 large brown eggs per year | brown | curious, friendly, sturdy, and confident | adaptable with winter comb care | They enjoy attention and may complain loudly when routines change. |
| Dominique | 180 to 240 medium brown eggs per year | brown | hardy, calm, alert, and old-fashioned | very good in cold thanks to the rose comb | Quality breeding matters because the breed is less common than many barred alternatives. |
| Dorking | 140 to 200 medium to large eggs per year | white to lightly tinted | gentle, calm, excellent foragers, and often broody | good in cool climates; large combs need frostbite protection | Their short legs and fifth toes benefit from dry footing and low, accessible roosts. |
| Dutch Bantam | 100 to 160 small eggs per year | white to cream | active, cheerful, alert, and often tame when handled young | reasonably hardy but needs protection from severe cold and wind | Their tiny size and flight ability demand secure fencing and protection from predators. |
| Easter Egger | 180 to 250 medium eggs per year | blue, green, cream, tan, or pinkish depending on genetics | varied, often friendly, curious, and hardy | usually adaptable, depending on parent stock | An Easter Egger can lay any inherited color, so never assume every pullet will lay blue. |
| Faverolles | 150 to 220 medium eggs per year | cream to light brown | gentle, talkative, curious, and especially people-friendly | excellent in cold dry weather; struggles in heat and wet mud | Their docile nature, beard, and feathered feet can make them targets in aggressive mixed flocks. |
| Hamburg | 150 to 220 small to medium white eggs per year | white | quick, bright, beautiful, and independent | rose comb helps cold tolerance, but they still need dry shelter | They fly well and often prefer roosting high. |
| Holland | 150 to 220 large eggs per year | white | calm, steady, friendly, and useful as a farmstead bird | handles cold well with a dry, ventilated coop | The breed is rare, and finding unrelated breeding stock can be difficult. |
| Houdan | 140 to 200 medium eggs per year | white | lively, friendly with handling, curious, and decorative | does best with dry crest feathers and shelter from severe weather | Crests and fifth toes require regular checks for mud, mites, and blocked vision. |
| Icelandic | 150 to 220 medium eggs per year | white to cream | active, alert, excellent at foraging, and socially varied | exceptionally hardy in cold, wet, and changeable weather with dry shelter | They are skilled flyers and genetically diverse landrace birds rather than uniform show-type chickens. |
| ISA Brown | 280 to 330 large brown eggs per year | brown | friendly, busy, efficient, and food-motivated | adaptable with careful nutrition and heat management | Heavy production makes calcium, protein, water, and recovery during molt very important. |
| Japanese Bantam | 70 to 120 small eggs per year | white to cream | calm, charming, people-friendly, and relatively low-ranging | prefers mild, dry conditions; short legs struggle in snow, mud, and wet grass | The short-legged gene complicates breeding, and low bodies need exceptionally clean, dry ground. |
| Java | 150 to 200 large eggs per year | brown | docile, dependable, good at foraging, and usually flock-friendly | hardy in cold and moderate heat when shade is available | They mature more slowly than production hybrids and need patience before reaching full size. |
| Jersey Giant | 150 to 220 large brown eggs per year | brown | calm, slow-maturing, gentle, and substantial | good in cool to moderate climates with enough space | They need wider roosts, stronger ramps, and more feed than smaller breeds. |
| La Fleche | 140 to 200 large eggs per year | white | active, alert, independent, and capable foragers | handles warm weather well; exposed comb points need cold protection | They can be flighty and prefer more range and higher fencing than heavy docile breeds. |
| Lakenvelder | 150 to 220 medium eggs per year | white | quick, active, wary, and excellent at foraging | adaptable but needs shelter from deep cold and wind | They are skilled flyers and may be frustrating in low-fenced backyard setups. |
| Lamona | 150 to 220 large eggs per year | white | active but manageable, practical, and efficient on range | adaptable in many climates with ordinary comb protection in severe cold | Extremely limited availability makes replacement stock and breeding plans challenging. |
| Langshan | 150 to 220 large eggs per year | brown, sometimes with a plum tint | calm, graceful, friendly, and capable foragers | cold-hardy when dry; feathered shanks need mud management | Their height and feathered legs require roomy, dry housing and appropriately wide roosts. |
| Malay | 70 to 120 medium eggs per year | brown | bold, tall, powerful, independent, and often challenging in mixed flocks | tolerates heat well; needs protected housing in harsh winters | Their height, strength, and tendency toward aggression demand more room and experienced handling. |
| Marans | 150 to 220 medium to large dark brown eggs per year | dark brown to chocolate brown | calm, solid, good foragers, and moderately independent | adaptable; feather-footed lines need dry ground | Egg color usually lightens during a laying cycle and varies by line. |
| Minorca | 170 to 240 very large eggs per year | white | active, independent, elegant, and alert | excellent heat tolerance; poor frost resistance because of enormous combs | The large comb and wattles are vulnerable in cold weather, and the birds need room to move. |
| Modern Game | 50 to 100 small eggs per year | white to tinted | alert, upright, active, and often personable with careful handling | needs warm, dry shelter; long legs and tight feathering offer little cold protection | Extreme leg length and sparse feathering make cold weather and high roosts risky. |
| Nankin | 80 to 140 small eggs per year | cream to tinted | calm, friendly, broody, and devoted to flock routines | fairly hardy with dry shelter; small bodies need winter protection | They are rare and can be overwhelmed by larger, more assertive chickens. |
| New Hampshire Red | 200 to 260 large brown eggs per year | brown | active, practical, confident, and usually manageable | widely adaptable with ordinary comb protection in deep cold | As with other confident breeds, crowded feeders can bring out bossiness. |
| Old English Game | 80 to 140 small eggs per year | white to tinted | active, bold, excellent at foraging, and often strongly broody | hardy and adaptable with secure shelter | Males are commonly aggressive toward one another and require careful separation. |
| Phoenix | 80 to 140 small to medium eggs per year | cream to tinted | active, alert, graceful, and capable of strong flight | does best in moderate, dry climates with protected winter housing | Their long tails require elevated roosts, clean bedding, and generous room to prevent breakage. |
| Plymouth Rock | 200 to 260 large brown eggs per year | brown | steady, friendly, curious, and easy to manage | good all-season breed when the coop stays dry | They enjoy ranging, so boredom in a bare run can lead to pecking. |
| Polish | 120 to 180 small to medium white eggs per year | white | quirky, active, sometimes nervous, and very decorative | needs dry crest feathers and protection from bullying | The crest can limit vision, making calm flockmates and secure runs important. |
| Redcap | 150 to 220 medium to large eggs per year | white | active, alert, independent, and energetic | hardy on range; the very large rose comb still needs winter observation | Their large comb and lively nature make them less convenient for small, crowded suburban coops. |
| Rhode Island Red | 220 to 280 large brown eggs per year | brown | bold, active, practical, and confident | handles most climates with dry housing and good ventilation | Some hens can be bossy at the feeder, so give mixed flocks enough feeding space. |
| Rhode Island White | 180 to 250 large eggs per year | brown | calm, confident, hardy, and generally easygoing | good all-season performance; rose-combed lines excel in cold | They are much less common than Rhode Island Reds, so quality stock may require a dedicated breeder. |
| Rosecomb | 50 to 100 small eggs per year | white to cream | active, stylish, alert, and often reserved | rose comb helps in cold, but the breed still needs dry, protected housing | Chicks can be delicate, fertility may be inconsistent, and adults are capable flyers. |
| Russian Orloff | 80 to 150 medium eggs per year | light brown | calm, hardy, independent, and usually non-aggressive | excellent cold tolerance; dense beard and small comb suit winter | Egg production is modest and the breed can be difficult to find from unrelated quality lines. |
| Sebright | 60 to 100 small eggs per year | white to cream | active, bold, curious, and often friendly with patient handling | best in moderate climates with good shelter from cold and wet | They are delicate chicks, strong flyers, and not dependable layers or broodies. |
| Serama | 80 to 160 tiny eggs per year | cream to tinted | confident, people-oriented, lively, and often excellent as a house-friendly show bantam | poor cold tolerance; needs warm, draft-free protection in winter | Their tiny body size makes them vulnerable to cold, predators, rough flockmates, and oversized equipment. |
| Shamo | 70 to 120 medium eggs per year | brown | upright, powerful, alert, and often highly territorial | good heat tolerance; protect from prolonged cold and damp | Bird-to-bird aggression can be severe, so housing and introductions require expert planning. |
| Sicilian Buttercup | 140 to 200 medium eggs per year | white | lively, curious, flighty, and active | excellent heat tolerance; poor choice for severe winters without protection | Their cup-shaped comb is vulnerable to frostbite, and the birds readily fly over low fences. |
| Silkie | 80 to 140 small cream eggs per year | cream to tinted | very docile, broody, unusual-looking, and easy to handle | needs dry shelter; poor weatherproofing from silky feathers | They need protection from bullying, wet weather, and aerial predators. |
| Spitzhauben | 140 to 200 medium eggs per year | white | lively, alert, curious, and strong at foraging | cold-hardy when dry; pointed crest sheds moisture better than round crests | They fly well and may be nervous without space, enrichment, and early handling. |
| Sultan | 50 to 100 small to medium eggs per year | white | gentle, calm, decorative, and easily bullied | needs dry, mild housing; feathered feet and crest perform poorly in mud | The crest, beard, vulture hocks, and feathered feet require clean housing and frequent inspection. |
| Sumatra | 80 to 140 small to medium eggs per year | white to lightly tinted | active, wary, athletic, and strongly inclined to range | handles heat and humidity well; needs extra winter shelter in cold regions | They fly exceptionally well and may roost in trees unless enclosed securely. |
| Sussex | 200 to 260 light brown eggs per year | cream to light brown | curious, talkative, gentle, and good at foraging | adaptable in most climates with a dry coop | They are food-motivated, so measure feed and keep treats sensible. |
| Welsummer | 160 to 220 large speckled brown eggs per year | terra-cotta brown, often speckled | active, alert, friendly with handling, and good at foraging | good in moderate climates; combs need cold protection | They can be vocal, especially around laying time. |
| White-Faced Black Spanish | 150 to 220 large eggs per year | white | alert, active, elegant, and often reserved | best in warm, dry climates; large comb and white facial skin need cold protection | The oversized comb and facial skin are vulnerable to frostbite and injury in rough flock conditions. |
| White Leghorn | 250 to 320 large white eggs per year | white | alert, quick, independent, and feed-efficient | excellent in heat; large combs need winter frostbite protection | They fly well and notice gaps quickly, so runs and fences need attention. |
| Wyandotte | 180 to 240 medium to large brown eggs per year | brown | independent, attractive, sturdy, and moderately friendly | very good in cold because of the rose comb | Some lines are stand-offish, so handle chicks early if you want lap-friendly hens. |
| Yokohama | 70 to 120 small to medium eggs per year | cream to tinted | calm with regular handling, graceful, and somewhat delicate | prefers moderate, dry conditions with shelter from mud and weather | Long tail and saddle feathers are easily damaged in cramped, dirty, or wet housing. |
How to compare two breeds fairly
Start with the job you need the bird to do. If you want the most eggs, a White Leghorn or ISA Brown may beat a Cochin, Silkie, Brahma, or Polish by a wide margin. If you want a calm pet flock, the lower egg number from an Orpington, Plymouth Rock, Brahma, or Cochin may be worth the trade. If you want colorful eggs, compare shell genetics first and egg numbers second. If you live in a severe climate, comb type, feathering, body size, and shade tolerance may matter more than a perfect chart score.
Compare breeds at the same age and management level. A pullet in her first laying season can look much more productive than an older hen of a better breed. A well-fed heritage hen can outperform a stressed production bird. A breed known for cold hardiness still needs ventilation and dry bedding. A heat-tolerant breed still needs shade and constant water.
Comparison terms explained
- Egg output
- A typical annual range for healthy hens under good conditions. Expect lower numbers during molt, winter, broodiness, stress, or old age.
- Temperament
- A breed tendency, not a promise. Handling, space, breeding line, and flock dynamics can change behavior.
- Broodiness
- The tendency to sit on eggs and try to hatch chicks. Useful for natural hatching, inconvenient for steady egg collection.
- Climate fit
- How body size, feathering, comb type, activity level, and heat tolerance affect comfort in local weather.
Fast decision shortcuts
- For brown eggs and beginner durability, compare Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Sussex, and New Hampshire Red.
- For white eggs and high production, compare White Leghorn, Ancona, and Hamburg.
- For blue, green, or dark brown eggs, compare Ameraucana, Easter Egger, Marans, and Welsummer.
- For gentle ornamental birds, compare Silkie, Cochin, Polish, Serama, and bantam varieties.
- For cold winters, compare Wyandotte, Brahma, Buckeye, Dominique, and Chantecler-type traits.
Complete Chicken Breed Guide
Compare popular, heritage, bantam, ornamental, and production chicken breeds.
Best Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds
Find strong layers for steady backyard egg baskets.