Please wait

This is taking a little longer than expected

text.skipToContent text.skipToNavigation
UFA.com will be unavailable from Sunday 8pm to Monday 8am...
You have exceeded the number of times to successfully log in to your myUFA account. For your security, access to your myUFA account is locked. In order to access your myUFA account, please contact Customer Support 1-877-258-4500.

Best Breeds for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Poultry Selection

Best Breeds for Beginners

You've been thinking about chickens or turkeys and decided it's time to take the plunge and start a flock of your own. Here is some helpful information on the different breeds available through your local Farm & Ranch Supply store.

Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Red

  • Excellent layers, producing more than 20 medium-sized eggs per year
  • Very friendly and docile
  • Easy to care for - can adapt to confinement or free ranging
  • Hardly breed

Barred Plymouth Rock

Barred Plymouth Rock

  • Dual-purpose breed with tasty meat and good egg production
  • Produces about 200 large brown eggs per year
  • Easy to manage
  • Cold weather resistant
  • Easy keepers that have a calm temperament

Columbian Rock

Columbian Rock

  • Large dual-purpose breed
  • Produces up to 300 eggs annually
  • Quiet and docile
  • Extremely hardy

Miller's Red Sussex Cross

Miller's Red Sussex Cross

  • Heavier bird that is easy to maintain
  • Lays lighter brown medium-sized eggs
  • Hens are very quiet
  • Great meat birds ranging between 5.5lb and 6.5lb at 16 weeks

Miller's White Leghorn

Miller's White Leghorn

  • Lays large white eggs
  • Excellent shell quality
  • Quiet temperament even though they are leghorns