Chickens breed guide
Chicken history, daily care, coop and feed basics, and breeding tips for backyard keepers and breeders.
Photo: Urban Acre SilkiesHistory & origins
- Domestic chickens descend from the Southeast Asian red junglefowl, kept for over 3,000 years first for cockfighting and ritual, later for eggs and meat.
- Victorian 'hen fever' in the 1800s produced most of the heritage breeds sold today, and the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection still defines them.
Care & housing
- Allow 4 sq ft of coop and 8-10 sq ft of run per standard bird, with 8-12 inches of roost space each.
- Feed 18-20% starter to 8 weeks, grower to point of lay, then 16% layer with free-choice oyster shell and grit.
- Ventilate high and draft-free, keep bedding dry, and worm and check for mites seasonally.
Breeding tips
- Breed from birds 9 months or older that show breed type, vigor, and good laying — not just color.
- One cockerel to 8-12 hens; pen breeding groups two to three weeks before collecting eggs.
- Toe-punch or leg-band each hatch so you can track which pairings produce your best stock.