The Australorp is a dual-purpose breed developed in Australia from imported Orpingtons in the late 1890s. They were brought to the USA in the 1920s and recognized by the APA in 1929. They are listed in the English Class. Australorps are an all-black bird with white skin prized for their prolific, light brown, egg laying abilities. They are calm and docile making them ideal for the small flock as well as the junior showman. Females weigh 6 ½ pounds while males are larger at 8 ½ pounds adult weight. They are generally good sitters and mothers. They are known to take confinement well.

The Orpington is a dual-purpose bird developed by William Cook in Orpington, England and first brought to the USA in the late 1890s. The Buff was accepted in by the APA in 1902 under the English Class. They are a docile breed that make a lovely addition to any flock. They also perform well in the show hall. Orpingtons lay a Large cream to brown egg at the rate of around 200 eggs per year. Males are 10 pounds and females 8 pounds at adult weight and they have white skin.

he Light Brahma is a large framed, white bird with black colored feathers in the hackle, tail, and wing feathers. They were developed in the USA from birds originally thought to be imported from the Shanghai region of China in the mid 1800’s. These gentle giants became rapidly popular and were accepted by the APA into the Asiatic Class in 1874. The Brahma is a cold hardy breed with feathered legs, yellow skin, and a pea comb. They lay around 200, large, tan colored eggs yearly. They tend to be good mothers and are calm natured. Females weigh 9 ½ pounds. Males weigh 12 pounds.

The Plymouth Rock is an American Class breed developed in the mid-1850s. It was exhibited for the first time in 1869. This American Classic has been very popular since its inception as an all-around excellent farm chicken. Known for its hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of both meat and eggs. The Plymouth Rock was the foundation breed for the broiler industry in the 1920’s. The Barred variety was the first created and accepted by the APA in 1874. This is a yellow skinned bird that lays around 200 large brown eggs a year. The hens lay well early on and have been known to lay well into their 10th year. The Chicks feather quickly and are mature by 8-12 weeks, so they make good broilers. This is a cold hearty breed with a docile temperament that tolerates confinement well making them ideal for winter climates. They are a good breed for the first-time chicken owner and the novice exhibitor. Males mature at 9 ½ pounds, females at 7 ½ pounds.

The Plymouth Rock is an American Class breed developed in the mid-1850s. It was exhibited for the first time in 1869. This American Classic has been very popular since its inception as an all-around excellent farm chicken. Known for its hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of both meat and eggs. The Plymouth Rock was the foundation breed for the broiler industry in the 1920’s. The Barred variety was the first created and accepted by the APA in 1874. This is a yellow skinned bird that lays around 200 large brown eggs a year. The hens lay well early on and have been known to lay well into their 10th year. The Chicks feather quickly and are mature by 8-12 weeks, so they make good broilers. This is a cold hearty breed with a docile temperament that tolerates confinement well making them ideal for winter climates. They are a good breed for the first-time chicken owner and the novice exhibitor. Males mature at 9 ½ pounds, females at 7 ½ pounds.

A quintessential American breed, the Rhode Island Red was developed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the 1840s. The APA accepted the Single Comb RIR into the American Class in 1904. This amazing dual-purpose breed became world renowned for its ability to lay up to 265 eggs a year and thus has been used as the “parent” breed of several of our modern hybrid egg layers. With its deep red to mahogany color, yellow skin, curious temperament, and hardy nature the RIR has become the symbol of small and urban farms and markets everywhere. The RIR lays around 200 large brown eggs. Males mature at 8 ½ pounds, females at 6 ½ pounds.

The Wyandotte was created in the 1870s and named for the Wyandot people of the central United States. The Silver Laced Wyandotte was the first developed variety of this dual-purpose breed. It was accepted into the American Class by the APA in 1883. The Wyandotte is a yellow skinned bird that lays a large, brown egg at the rate of 180-260 per year. Their rose comb and sturdy build make for a cold hardy bird that will lay throughout the winter months. Wyandottes are a friendly, docile bird making them ideal for the small flock or novice owner. Their black edged, silver feathers are eye catching on the farm and the show hall. Males mature at 8 ½ pounds, females at 6 ½ pounds. 

Welsummers are a docile yet active breed of bird that enjoys free ranging. They are calm and easily handleable making them ideal for families and small-scale poultry set ups. The males have a dark brown to black body with rich red-brown to mahogany feathers in the hackle, saddle and wing bows. Hens are a lovely reddish-brown body with stippling. Their hackles are golden brown with black accent and black in their tails.  Males mature at 7 pounds, females at6 pounds.