Hobbies And Interests
Brahma
The Brahma can be traced back to the mid-19th century, but its exact origin is disputed, with some claiming the breed was developed in New York City and others claiming it was developed in London. With red earlobes and yellow skin and shanks, this robust hen lays brown eggs. Brahma hens do very well in both hot and cold temperatures, but are slow to mature, which affects the quantity of eggs they produce. They are very gentle hens and easy to handle, and adapt with ease to their environments.
Buckeye
Dating back to the late 19th century, the Buckeye breed was developed in Ohio. The Buckeye has red earlobes and yellow skin and shanks; therefore, it lays eggs that range from light brown to brown. It is actually a variety of the more popular Rhode Island Red breed, with some distinguishable differences, most notably its pea comb. Although they fare well in cold climates, they never gained popularity. A calm but curious hen, it is easy to handle.
Delaware
In 1940, after conducting cross-breeding experiments, George Ellis developed the Delaware breed, named for its home state. With red earlobes and yellow skin and shanks, this robust hen lays eggs that are a rich brown. They are quicker to mature than the Brahma and Buckeye breeds, and fare well both in heat and cold. It adapts well to its environment and is docile. The Delaware is one of the lesser-known breeds in the world.
Dominique
The Dominique breed was developed in the early 19th century in New England. Its origin can be traced back to hens developed by A.Q. Carter. With red earlobes and yellow skin and shanks, this robust hen produces brown eggs. It matures early; therefore, it lays eggs frequently. It thrives in cold climates and is considered a good mother. The Dominique adapts well to its environment, and though it is considered to be a calm hen, it has a tendency to be flightier than other dual-purpose breeds.
Jersey Giant
John and Thomas Black developed the Jersey Giant breed in the 1870s by crossing a variety of breeds. Named for Blacks' home state, the Jersey Giant has red earlobes, yellow skin and dark shanks, and lays brown eggs. This robust hen thrives in colder climates, and is a very protective mother. Despite its protective nature, it's a gentle hen that is relatively easy to handle. It's also a particularly large hen, so it requires a lot of feed.
New Hampshire Red
The New Hampshire Red was developed in the state for which it is named in the early 20th century. It has red earlobes and yellow skin and shanks, and lays eggs ranging from light to medium brown. This robust breed fares well both in hot and cold climates, although they are prone to frostbite in extreme temperatures, most notably on their combs. It matures very early and thus produces large quantities of eggs. Although it adapts to its environment, the New Hampshire Red can be either docile or aggressive.
Plymouth Rock
The Plymouth Rock breed was developed in New England in the 19th century. This is one of the most common breeds in the United States. With red earlobes and yellow skin and shanks, this hen produces eggs that range from light to medium brown. A robust hen, it thrives in colder climates and matures early, thus producing large quantities of eggs. It adapts well to its environment and is calm and therefore easy to handle.
Rhode Island Red and White
The Rhode Island Red and Rhode Island White were both developed in New England in the 19th century. Despite being two separate breeds, both have red earlobes and yellow skin and shanks, and therefore lay rich medium-brown eggs. Both are robust breeds that fare well in both hot and cold climates, but both breeds' combs can get frostbite in extreme temperatures. They mature relatively early and therefore produce large quantities of eggs. They are dutiful mothers, and generally very gentle, though some among them can show aggressive tendencies.
Wyandotte
The Wyandotte breed was developed in New York and then taken to Wisconsin in the late 19th century. With red earlobes and yellow skin and shanks is produces eggs that range from light to rich brown. This robust hen fares well in colder temperatures, and is an excellent mother with a very calm demeanor.