Introducing the Best Chicken Breeds for Preppers
For preppers looking to achieve self-reliance through homesteading, raising chickens is an essential skill. Productive egg and meat birds provide a sustainable food source and valuable bartering commodity in times of crisis. When choosing chicken breeds for your prepper flock, prioritize hardy dual-purpose heritage breeds with excellent egg production. The ideal bird withstands weather extremes, adapts well to confinement or free-range, and has a calm temperament. This guide covers the top breeds across categories to consider based on your homestead’s needs and climate. With the right chickens, you’ll be well on your way to preparedness through self-sufficiency.
Top factors to evaluate include:
- Egg laying productivity - number and color
- Meat yield - dressed weight at maturity
- Weather hardiness - heat and cold tolerance
- Temperament - docile and calm is ideal
- Broodiness - tendency to go broody and hatch eggs
- Foraging skills - free-range suitability
The most recommended breeds that excel across these considerations will be covered in detail below.
Top Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds
When your top priority is maximum egg production for food and trading, focus on prolific laying breeds that peak at 200+ eggs annually. Though not ideal for meat, they’re the best options for homestead egg abundance.
Leghorns
- White Leghorns lay up to 280 white eggs a year
- Hardy and low maintenance, ideal for beginner backyard flocks
- Not a meat bird - focus is egg laying productivity
- Prone to going broody less often than other breeds
- Require more space as active foragers
- Tend to be noisy
Australorps
- Lay 250+ light brown eggs annually
- Calm temperament, adapts well to confinement
- Dual purpose - 6 lb dressed weight for meat
- Heat hardy and cold hardy
- Originated in Australia
- Excellent foragers
Orpingtons
- Heavy breed lays up to 200 large brown eggs a year
- Dual purpose, males dress out at 10 lbs for meat
- Docile, make good pets and mothers
- Prone to broodiness
- Require space to forage and exercise
Americana
- Colorful blue or green eggs, decent meat too
- Medium heavy dual purpose breed
- Males dress out around 6.5 lbs for meat
- Forage well, active breed
- Broody tendencies vary by strain
Marans
- Lay very dark chocolate brown eggs
- Slower to start laying than other breeds
- Decent for meat, 5-7 lb dressed weight
- Originated in France, heat tolerant
- Require extra protein for dark egg production
Best Meat Chicken Breeds
Broiler breeds like the Cornish Cross offer the quickest return for meat production. Slow-growing heritage breeds develop more flavor and have better survival abilities if free-ranged.
Cornish Cross
- Most efficient broiler chicken, ready for harvest in 6-8 weeks
- Very fast growth rate leads to health issues if allowed to mature
- Yields 5-8 pounds dressed weight
- Require care to prevent leg problems from rapid growth
- Voracious eaters consume more feed proportionally
- Some avoid due to health concerns
Freedom Rangers
- Slower growing broiler alternative to Cornish Cross
- More active and can be kept longer - up to 14 weeks
- Yields 5-7 pound dressed weight
- Better suited for free range and pastured operations
- Moderate feed consumption
Jersey Giants
- Heritage breed roosters can reach 13 lbs live weight
- Heavier hens dress out around 8 lbs in 5-6 months
- Slower growing, take 5-6 months to mature
- Docile temperament, good foragers
- Lay brown eggs consistently
Dorkings
- Heirloom English breed with tasty white meat
- Dress out around 7 lbs in 5-6 months
- Reduced activity level compared to other heritage breeds
- Require shelter in winter conditions
- Lay white eggs consistently
Delawares
- All around dual purpose breed
- Medium heavy weight - hens dress at 6 lbs
- Mature in 4-5 months
- Active foragers, handle heat well
- Lay 3-4 brown eggs a week
Best Heritage Chicken Breeds
Heritage breeds like Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks offer the best of both worlds - solid egg production and decent meat yield. Prioritize them for a productive and self-sufficient homestead flock.
Rhode Island Reds
- Productive egg layer - up to 300 light brown eggs a year
- Hardy dual purpose bird dresses out at 6 lbs
- Active foragers, great set of survival skills
- Docile temperament, good for families
- Quintessential homestead chicken
Barred Rocks
- Cold hardy and lays through winter
- Dual purpose breed dresses out around 7 lbs
- Does well confined or free range
- Straight barred feather pattern
- Lays 3-4 brown eggs a week
Buff Orpingtons
- Gentle and calm backyard chicken
- Dress out 8-10 lbs for meat
- Lay up to 200 brown eggs a year
- Fluffy appearance with heavy plumage
- Prone to broodiness
Wyandottes
- Compact cold hardy breed
- Dress out 6-8 lbs of meat
- Weekly layers of brown eggs
- Docile temperament
- Come in various color patterns
Cochins
- Big fluffy feathered chicken
- Dual purpose for meat and eggs
- Go broody frequently
- Make great mothers and setters
- Come in buff, white, black colors
- Rare breed worth preserving
Best Breeds for Cold Climates
Braving harsh winters starts with choosing hearty cold-tolerant breeds that endure frigid temps and lay through the season. Prioritize these northern breeds for prepper homesteads in cold regions.
Chanteclers
- Specifically developed for Canadian winters
- Handle temperatures down to -40F
- Medium weight dual purpose breed
- Active, playful personality
- Come in white and partridge colors
Wyandottes
- Compact short birds retain heat well
- Fully feathered legs offer more insulation
- Hardy in snow and cold rains
- Docile temperament, go broody
- Good choice for prepper homesteads
Faverolles
- Very fluffy plumage provides insulation
- Dual purpose French heritage breed
- Calm, friendly temperament
- Unique salmon colored eggs
- Tolerate cold better than most breeds
Brahmas
- Large birds with heavy feathering
- Feathered legs and foot feathers
- Dress out 10-12 lbs for meat
- Lay jumbo sized brown eggs
- Docile, make good pets
Cochins
- Heavily feathered, even feathered feet
- Big fluffy appearance, tolerates cold well
- Dress out 8-10 lbs of meat
- Go broody frequently, good mothers
- Come in buff, white, black colors
Best Heat-Hardy Chicken Breeds
Beating the summer swelter is easier with breeds that handle heat stress and lay through hot months. Give them space to forage and ample water.
Australorps
- Bred in hot Australia, tolerates high temps
- Lay up to 250 light brown eggs a year
- Dual purpose breed weighs 6-8 lbs
- Calm temperament, low maintenance
- Handle both heat and cold extremes well
Dominiques
- Early American homestead chicken
- Withstood summers without issue
- Dual purpose for eggs and 4-6 lb meat
- Active foragers, avoid confinement
- Barred feathering pattern
Orpingtons
- Big bird but handles heat surprisingly well
- Lay up to 200 brown eggs per year
- Dress out 8-10 lbs for meat
- Docile, makes a good pet
- Prone to broodiness
Minorcas
- Active forager even in warm weather
- Lays up to 280 white eggs a year
- Doesn't tolerate confinement well in heat
- Lean bird not suited for meat
- Forage to dissipate heat
Turkens
- Naked necks allow greater heat dissipation
- Medium to light weight bird
- Average egg production
- Require shade and extra water in heat
- Go broody frequently
Choosing the Best Breeds for Your Needs
With so many excellent breeds to select from, keep your prepper flock goals and climate at the forefront when deciding. Do you need maximum eggs, fast-growing broilers, winter-hardy birds, or friendly backyard pets? Free-range foragers or confinement layers? Cost, feed requirements, and processing options matter too. Connect with local farmers to get insights on regional breeds that thrive in your area. Choose wisely and your homestead chickens will reward you with sustenance for years to come.
Key Takeaways on Chicken Breeds for Preppers
- Choose breeds aligned with your egg and meat production goals
- Prioritize hardy, dual purpose breeds for homesteads
- For meat, fast growing broilers offer quick returns
- Heritage breeds have better survival traits if free ranged
- Always have a plan for processing roosters and old hens
- Ensure proper housing and shelters for the breeds
- Maintain biosecurity to keep flocks disease free
Raising chickens is a cornerstone of self-reliance for preppers. With productive birds suited to your climate, you’ll secure a steady supply of eggs and meat for uncertain times. Use this guide to select from the best breeds and build a flock tailored to your homestead’s needs.
