Beginner’s Guide: Choosing the Right Chicken Breeds for Your Goals

Raising chickens is one of the most rewarding ways to become more self-sufficient, but choosing the right breed from the start can make all the difference. Some chickens excel at laying eggs, others are bred for meat, and some do a little of both. Before ordering chicks, it’s important to understand your goals so you can build a flock that fits your lifestyle, space, and expectations.

This beginner-friendly guide breaks down the most common chicken-keeping goals and the breeds that best match them.

Goal #1: Fresh Eggs for Your Family

If your main goal is a steady supply of eggs, production and consistency matter most.

Some of the best egg-laying breeds available from Valley Farms Hatchery include:

• White Leghorn – Exceptional white egg layers, producing over 300 eggs per year; heat tolerant and efficient

• Brown Sexlink, Amber Sexlink, Blue Sexlink, Black Sexlink – Known for reliability, early laying, and strong production

• Production Red & Rhode Island Red – Hardy brown egg layers that perform well in many climates

• Black Australorp – Excellent winter layers with calm temperaments

• Barred Rock – Reliable brown eggs and very beginner friendly

For families who want colorful egg baskets, Easter Eggers are a popular choice, laying blue, green, or pastel eggs that are always a hit with customers and kids alike.

Goal #2: Friendly Backyard Companions

Many first-time chicken owners want birds that are calm, easy to handle, and good around children.

If temperament is a priority, consider:

• Buff Orpington – Gentle, affectionate, and excellent for beginners

• Light Sussex – Curious, friendly, and adaptable

• Black Australorp & Splash Australorp – Calm, social birds that do well in mixed flocks

• Delaware – Docile and easygoing with solid egg production

These breeds tend to integrate well into backyard flocks and are less aggressive than more high-strung varieties.

Goal #3: Raising Chickens for Meat

If your focus is homegrown, high-quality meat, selecting the right broiler breed is essential.

Valley Farms Hatchery offers two excellent meat bird options:

• Cornish Cross Broiler – Fast-growing and efficient; ideal for families who want quick results

• Pioneer Broiler – A robust alternative with excellent flavor and strong growth, favored by homesteaders

Meat birds have different nutritional and housing needs than layers, so they are often raised separately for best results.

Goal #4: Dual-Purpose Chickens

Dual-purpose breeds provide both eggs and meat, making them a popular choice for homesteads.

Good dual-purpose options include:

• Rhode Island Red

• Delaware

• Barred Rock

• Buff Orpington

• Light Sussex

These breeds won’t lay as many eggs as production hybrids, but they offer versatility and long-term value.