Breed, Hybrid: What’s This All About?

Leafing through the Hoover’s Hatchery catalog or clicking through its website is a fun way to discover the amazing diversity of poultry The sheer number of chicken types is fascinating but it can be confusing Just what is a breed? Hybrid?

 

Just What Is a Breed?

 

One thing is certain All chickens belong to the same species, whether they are immense Jersey Giants or diminutive bantams Such useful birds probably were developed from the Red Jungle Fowl, which still lives in the wild in some southern Asian forests Scientifically the modern chicken is Galus galus domesticus  

 

It can get complicated People

Choosing the Best Breeds for Backyard Flocks

No one knows exactly how many chicken breeds exist There are hundreds, and possibly thousands The Hoover’s Hatchery catalog alone lists at least 100 breeds, and a few new ones get added every year There are heritage breeds, modern hybrids, specialty egg layers, broilers, and a handful of oddballs that don’t fit neatly into any category at all So with that many options in front of you, how does a family pick the best chicken breeds for a backyard flock? It can feel overwhelming The good news is that choosing is genuinely one of the most fun parts of

VIDEO: Different Chicken Breeds and Hybrids