The Brahma is a large breed of chicken developed in the United States from very large birds imported from the Chinese port of Shanghai.  The Brahma was the principal meat breed in the US from the 1850s until about 1930. The Brahma is a massive, stately bird. When standing, it should almost appear to form a V, and should stand fairly tall—males more than females. Feet should be strong, with feathers extending all the way down the middle toe, and plumage should be held more tightly than in the Cochin. The Brahma is a good winter layer of large brown eggs, eggs weigh approximately 55–60 g. Egg colour: brown.

Male: 5.5 kg (12.12 lbs)

Female: 4.5 kg (9.92 lbs)

The Cochin or Cochin China, was originally bred in China and later exported to Britain and America in the mid 19th century. There is also a bantam version, which is often called the "Pekin bantam", but this should not be confused with the separate and true Pekin bantam. Cochins are well known as good mothers, even as foster mothers for other breeds, and they can lay many eggs, but usually not for extended periods of time.  Cochins are also known to be good pet hens for the garden, as they are tame and regarded as one of the most 'friendly' chicken breeds. Cochins are rather quiet chickens, and tend to be quite calm as well. Egg colour: light brown.

Male: 5 kg (11.02 lbs)

Female: 4 kg (8.81 lbs)  

Easter Eggers are not a recognized breed.  They are a variety of chicken that does not conform to any breed standard but lays large to extra-large eggs that vary in shade from blue to green to olive to aqua and sometimes even pinkish.   Easter Eggers are commonly mislabeled as Ameraucanas or Araucanas (or various misspellings thereof).  They are considered "friendly" and are a good choice for a starter flock. Egg colour: blue, green, olive, aqua, sometimes pinkish.

Can vary widely usually 2.7 kg to 3.1 kg (5.95 - 6.83 lbs)

The origins of the Frizzle are difficult to track down. Some texts refer to Asia – Japan in particular but other countries seemed to have the Frizzle for a long time and there are texts from the 1800’s that mention India, Egypt and South Africa. Whatever their exact origins are, it is clear that they were around for many centuries in various qualities but started to become more standardised and gained popularity, reaching the US and Europe by the time the first poultry shows were held. The make up of the Frizzle is also somewhat of a mystery although the Silkie would be the most probable ancestor. The frizzle feathered Poland or Japanese Bantam have similar feathering but are not considered as Frizzles. Colours: Buff, Black, Black-Red, Brown-Red, Blue, Columbian, Cuckoo, Duckwing, Pile, Red, Spangled and White. Eggs: 160 white or tinted eggs.

Uses: Exhibition. Origin: Asia

Weight: Cock: 3.6Kg, Hen: 2.7Kg

Bantam Cock: 680-790g, Bantam Hen: 570-680g

The Marans, French: Poule de Marans, is a breed of chicken from the port town of Marans, France. Marans are generally quiet and docile; but they are quite active, taking well to free ranging in rough terrain and are also tough and disease-resistant.  Their gentle temperaments and quiet demeanor makes them ideal for suburban backyard chicken keepers, as well as any assorted farm flock as they rarely bully smaller breeds. Marans lay around 150-200 dark brown eggs each year depending on the variety.  Marans are historically a dual-purpose bird, prized not only for their dark eggs but for their table qualities as well. Egg colour: dark brown.

Male: Standard: 3.5–4 kg (7.71 - 8.81 lbs), Bantam: 1.1 kg (2.42 lbs)

Female: Standard: 2.5–3 kg (5.51 - 6.61 lbs), Bantam: 900 grams (1.95 lbs)

The Orpington is a breed of chicken named after the town of Orpington, Kent, in south-east England, which was made famous in part by this breed. It was bred to be an excellent layer with good meat quality. Hens often become broody and are good mothers. Orpingtons lay about 175 to 200 medium to large light-brown eggs a year. Egg colour: light brown.

Male: 3.60–4.55 kg (7.93 - 10.03 lbs)

Female: 2.70–3.60 kg (5.95 - 7.93 lbs)

Plymouth Rock is an American breed of domestic chicken. It was first seen in Massachusetts in the nineteenth century, and for much of the early twentieth century was the most popular chicken breed in the United States. It is a dual-purpose breed, raised both for its meat and for its brown eggs. It is resistant to cold, easy to manage, and a good sitter. The Plymouth Rock lays about 200 eggs per year. Egg colour: light brown, brown. Colours: Columbian, Blue, Black, Barred, Partridge, Silver Penciled, Black Fizzle, Buff, White.

Male: Standard: minimum 3.4 kg (7.49 lbs), Bantam: maximum 1.36 kg (2.99 lbs)

Female: Standard: minimum 2.95 kg (6.50 lbs), Bantam: maximum 1.13 kg (2.49 lbs)

The Rhode Island Red is an American breed of domestic chicken. It was formerly a dual-purpose breed, raised both for meat and for eggs; modern strains have been bred for their egg-laying abilities. Rhode Island Reds are used in the creation of many modern hybrid breeds, mainly due to the prolific egg laying abilities The traditional dual-purpose "old-type" Rhode Island Red lays 200–300 brown eggs per year, and yields rich-flavored meat. Egg colour: brown.    

Male: 3.9 kg (8.59 lbs)                                                                              

Female: 2.9 kg (6.39 lbs)                                                                          

The Silkie (sometimes spelled Silky) is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk, and satin. Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament. It is among the most docile of poultry.  Hens are also exceptionally broody, and care for young well.  Though they are fair layers themselves, laying only about three eggs a week, they are commonly used to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species due to their broody nature.  Silkie chickens are very easy to keep as pets. Colours: Black, Blue, Buff, Partridge, Splash, White, Lavender, Paint, Porcelain. Egg colour: tinted, cream.

Male: 900 grams - 1.36 kg (1.98 - 2.99 lbs)

Female: 600 grams - 900 grams ( 1.32 - 1.98 lbs)

Guineafowl are in the order Galliformes, this order includes all chicken like birds. Guineafowl are kept mainly for the following reasons, insect pest control, to discourage poultry eating predators, and to discourage marauding birds. Domesticated hens lay seasonally starting around the 26 to 28 week old mark. Laying season is between March and May and a hen will lay approximately 100 eggs. Hens continue to lay until around 5 years of age. Colours: Pearl Grey, Lavender, Royal Purple, Violet, Coral Blue, Sky Blue, Lite Lavender, Lite Blue, Powder Blue, Bronze, Copper, Pewter, Slate, Brown, Chocolate,Cinnamon, Blonde,Buff, Buff Dundotte, Pastel, Porcelain, Opaline, Ivory, Pied, White. Egg colour – light brown, sometimes speckled.  

700 grams - 1600 grams (1.54 - 3.52 lbs)                            

The Speckled Sussex is an old-time favorite in its homeland of England.This beautiful bird is prized not only for its unique, one-of-a-kind beauty but also for its ability to lay plenty of light brown eggs for you. Plus, as a dual-purpose chicken breed, it can also be raised for meat. Economical eaters who are also easily handled, Speckled Sussex chickens should be at the top of your list when it comes to the best backyard breeds.