So you’ve decided that you want to raise a few chickens in your backyard. The next question you might be asking yourself is what color and breed to buy. Many of us here in the Ozarks like black chickens – they stand out in the landscape and are quite beautiful.
If you like small chickens or have only a small space, you should consider the Rosecomb Bantams. Bantams or ‘banties’ as they’re often called are small chickens – about one-fifth the size of regular chickens. The Rosecomb is black with a vivid red comb and white “cheeks”. Another breed to consider is the Black Cochin Bantams. These tiny chickens have feathered legs which make them look larger than they actually are. They are very gentle, excellent setters and require little space.
All bantams lay very small eggs; about six bantam eggs would equal one regular chicken egg. Most bantams weigh around two pounds. Unfortunately for city folk, bantam roosters have a screeching, very loud crow which can be heard many hundreds of feet away. Your neighbors will probably not like the sound. In fact, you may not either! At the other end of the size range (8+ pounds) are black Jersey Giants – the largest breed in the American Class. The breed was developed in the 1880s in New Jersey. These chickens grow more slowly than most breeds and their black feathers take on a green sheen within the black color. They are good natured birds and are good layers of large eggs which range in color from pale cream to dark beige. You might also want to consider Australorps, a breed created in Australia. Their weight is about five to six pounds. They are calm, friendly birds; the hens are good layers of large brown eggs.
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