Raising backyard poultry can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for many homeowners. However, not all types of poultry are equally easy to care for. When deciding which birds are best for beginning backyard chicken keepers, there are several factors to consider including temperament, cost, space requirements, and cold hardiness. Taking these elements into account can help determine which poultry breeds are the easiest to raise for novice flock owners.
Key Factors for Easy-to-Raise Poultry
Temperament
Some breeds of chickens, ducks, and other poultry are calmer and more docile than others. Look for birds that are known for being gentle, friendly, and unlikely to exhibit aggressive behaviors. Handling poultry with pleasant dispositions will make care and maintenance much easier, especially for children participating in 4-H or other backyard bird projects.
Cost
The cost to purchase poultry varies greatly depending on breed, age, and source. In general, chickens are the most affordable poultry option for small flocks. Widely available production breeds like Rhode Island Reds and Orpingtons can often be purchased as day-old chicks for just a few dollars each. Raising birds from chicks takes more time and preparation than getting mature poultry, but is less expensive. Ducklings, goslings, and turkey poults also make good budget-friendly choices.
Space Requirements
The amount of space needed for poultry housing and ranging is another key consideration. Smaller breeds of bantam chickens require less room than large fowl breeds. Quail and chukar partridge are also very compact poultry species suitable for limited spaces. Ducks, geese, and turkeys have higher space requirements overall compared to standard chickens. Carefully research the space needs of any prospective poultry breeds before acquiring them.
Cold Hardiness
Some poultry adapted to warm climates may not do well in colder northern areas without heated coops or other special accommodations. Cold hardy breeds suitable for backyard flocks in four season environments include Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, and Brahmas for chickens. Muscovy are a good cold hardy duck breed. Embden and Toulouse geese also tolerate cold conditions well.
Easiest Chicken Breeds
For beginning flock owners, easy-going chicken breeds are often the simplest poultry to raise. Here are some top chicken contenders:
Rhode Island Reds
This classic dual purpose breed is a frequent go-to for first time chicken keepers. Rhode Island Red hens are excellent layers of large brown eggs while also producing decent meat. These birds are cold hardy and heat tolerant. They have a gentle, docile demeanor that makes them a joy to raise.
Orpingtons
Another ideal pick, Orpingtons are mellow birds prized for their quiet personalities and soft, rounded appearance. They are cold tolerant with dense feathering. Orpingtons are also great layers and quick growers for meat production. Their gentle natures allow them to interact amiably with children.
Cochins
For a showy backyard bird, Cochin chickens impress with huge foot feathers and abundant plumage. Despite their impressive size, these chickens have extremely calm and friendly personalities. They are well-suited for pet and exhibition flocks. Laid back Cochin hens also produce a decent number of large brown eggs.
Silkies
Few chickens are as endearing as Silkies with their muff-like head feathers and adorable fluffy plumage. These small chickens are cute, calm, and incredibly kid-friendly. Their miniature size makes them great for urban and backyard coops. Silkies are also commonly kept as pets and show birds.
Plymouth Rocks
This quintessential American chicken breed makes a great addition to family flocks. Plymouth Rock chickens possess laid back personalities while also being excellent layers of brown eggs. Their hardiness allows them to flourish in mixed outdoor climates. They are highly valued for both eggs and meat.
Wyandottes
Extremely cold hardy and easy going, Wyandottes are another favorite starter chicken. Their docile natures and beautiful feather patterns also make them ideal 4-H project birds. Wyandotte hens lay generous amounts of brown eggs even in cold northern winters. They are also prized meat producers.
Best Duck Breeds for Beginners
Several breeds of domestic ducks rate high on the ease scale for starting backyard flocks. Here are some top picks:
Welsh Harlequins
Adept egg layers, Welsh Harlequin ducks have sweet, friendly personalities perfect for family flocks. They lack loud, noisy quacking habits. This medium-sized duck breed gets along amiably in mixed flocks with chickens and other ducks.
Cayugas
Cayugas are a smaller American duck breed known for calm temperaments. They interact well with children thanks to their mellow personalities. These ducks are also decent layers of large white eggs. Their black coloration makes them heat tolerant.
Muscovies
While these ducks are not the best egg layers, they have very easygoing dispositions. Their calm nature allows them to integrate smoothly into mixed poultry flocks. Muscovies are also less prone to excess noisy quacking compared to other duck breeds.
Aylesburys
A large British duck breed, Aylesburys are mild-mannered and people-friendly. Despite their sizable stature, these ducks tend to be docile and interact amiably with flock mates and humans. They are decent egg producers though not as prolific as smaller ducks.
Buff Ducks
As their name suggests, Buff ducks sport attractive buff-colored plumage. They are medium-sized ducks with very calm temperaments well-suited for beginners. Buff drakes are not aggressive toward hens, other ducks, or chickens. Hens lay a fair number of cream-colored eggs.
Pekin Ducks
The quintessential American duck breed, Pekins are raised on farms and backyards across the country. These large white ducks are hardy and heat tolerant. Pekin ducks are calm natured and make excellent backyard pets. Hens also provide a steady output of jumbo-sized white eggs.
Best Goose Breeds for Novices
Certain breeds of domestic geese are better choices for new poultry keepers. Here are some of the easiest to raise:
Pilgrim Geese
A heritage breed named after the Mayflower pilgrims, these small-statured geese thrive in homestead-type settings. Despite their intimate size, Pilgrim geese exhibit all the hardy traits of larger geese. Their calm temperaments allow for easy handling.
Sebastopol Geese
The eye-catching curly feathers of Sebastopol geese give them a unique appeal for backyard flocks. These birds are calm natured with non-aggressive dispositions. Their petite size also makes them easier to manage than giant goose breeds. Sebastopol geese are mainly kept for ornamental purposes.
Shetland Geese
Among the smallest domestic goose breeds, Shetlands only weigh 6-10 pounds on average. Their tiny stature translates to modest space requirements and simplified care. Shetlands have friendly personalities with minimal aggressive behaviors. They are cute ornamental geese for garden ponds and small properties.
Pomeranian Geese
With their fluffy plumage, Pomeranian geese resemble giant puffballs. Origininating in Germany, these geese are relatively small weighing 10-12 pounds. Despite their modest size, they are quite hardy. Pomeranians are calm with non-aggressive tendencies. Their small size and sweet nature make them great backyard geese.
Tufted Buff Geese
An English goose breed, Tufted Buff geese are medium-sized with tan and white plumage. Their distinguishing feature is a fluffy topknot on their heads. These geese are laidback and docile in temperament. Their calm personalities allow for easy interaction and handling. Tufted Buff geese are mainly kept for decorative purposes.
Toulouse Geese
While large in size, Toulouse geese are prized for their mellow and peaceful personalities. They tend to be much calmer than other heavyweight goose breeds. Toulouse geese are slow-moving and easy to contain. Their demeanor allows them to interact amiably with people and other domestic poultry.
Best Turkey Breeds for Beginners
Certain heritage turkey breeds rate high in tameness and suitability for starting flocks:
Bourbon Reds
Named after Bourbon County, Kentucky, these handsome heritage turkeys have rich chestnut feathers. Intelligent and calm natured, Bourbon Reds are inclined to follow people without becoming aggressive. For both meat and ornamental purposes, their attributes make them a great backyard breed.
Jersey Buff
Originating in New Jersey, Jersey Buff turkeys are a rare heritage breed with fawn-colored feathers. They are prized for their gentle, tractable personalities. Their smaller size compared to commercial turkeys also makes them easier to manage. Jersey Buff hens are noted for being excellent broody mothers.
Midget White
As their name implies, Midget White turkeys are diminutive in size, with toms weighing only 13-18 pounds. Their tiny stature translates to minimal space requirements for housing. Beyond their compact size, Midget Whites have a reputation for calm dispositions. Their overall ease of care makes them ideal starter turkeys.
Spanish Blacks
Hailing from Spain, this rare heritage turkey remains popular in homestead flocks. Their striking black plumage provides ornamental appeal. Spanish Blacks are inclined to be calm natured and docile compared to wilder heritage breeds. Their laidback personalities facilitate easy handling.
Royal Palms
A sex-linked heritage breed, Royal Palm males and females have differing feather patterns. Aside from looks, this variety is known for intelligence and gentleness. Their peaceful tendencies enable them to coexist amicably with other poultry species. Overall, their tractability makes them great turkeys for beginners.
Best Ornamental Poultry for Novices
While kept mainly for exhibition, some ornamental bird species are easier to raise than others:
Japanese Bantams
These quaint little chickens originated in Asia but became popular across the globe. Japanese bantams are appreciated for their diminutive size and wide variety of elegant feather patterns. Despite their small stature, they are quite hardy. Their tiny size makes them ideal for backyard coops and showing.
Silkie Bantams
The bantam version of Silkie chickens retains all the same lovable qualities. Their exceptionally calm natures, miniature size, and adorable appearance make them perfect ornamental flock additions. With dedicated care, Silkie bantams can live extended lifespans of 8-10 years.
Serama Bantams
Hailing from Malaysia, these tiny chickens weigh less than one pound. Selective breeding has created Serama bantams with upright postures that showcase their full feathering. As true bantam chickens, even Serama roosters are small and non-aggressive. Despite fragility, their tiny size makes these charming birds easy to manage.
Call Ducks
The miniature version of wild Mallard ducks, Call ducks were selectively bred as decoy birds for hunters. Their portability led to them being kept as pets. Call ducks reach just 2-3 pounds and can live peacefully with chickens. Their engaging antics and small proportions make them adorable ornamental ducks.
Indian Runner Ducks
Named for their upright posture, Indian Runner ducks have an appearance akin to penguins. Their appearance coupled with energetic personalities makes them popular ornamentals. These light ducks require minimal space. Their enclosure needs are easy to accommodate. Indian Runners come in a beautiful array of colors.
Crested Ducks
Duck breeds like Crested and Tufted can be recognized by their funky head feathers. Originating in Asia, these ducks became prized novelties across Europe and America. Despite wild looks, Crested ducks are typically easy-going in temperament. Their unique appearance makes them irresistible for backyard ponds and showmanship.
Conclusion
When selecting poultry breeds for beginning flocks, easygoing temperament is a key factor that facilitates enjoyable experience and success for novice owners. Smaller ornamental birds and bantam breeds are naturally easier to handle and house due to size. Cold hardy breeds that tolerate heat are well-adapted to handle diverse homestead environments. With proper planning and preparation, even first-timers can experience the endless fun and rewards of raising backyard poultry!