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Breed shortlist
Breeds for a first flock
A first flock wants birds that are easy to handle, hardy enough to forgive a mistake in the coop, and productive enough to be worth their feed.
How the list is made
Breeds whose general temperament is calm or friendly and not easily startled, that are not described as struggling in heat or cold, and that lay at least 200 eggs a year at the top of their range. 25 breeds in the catalogue qualify, and 25 of them can be ordered today. Sorted by how many listings are in stock.
| Breed | Eggs a year | Egg colour | Temperament | Climate | In stock | Pullets from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyandotte | 200–240 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy; rose comb | 10 of 13 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Orpington | 175–200 | light brown | Friendly | Cold hardy | 9 of 9 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Plymouth Rock | 200–280 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 8 of 8 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Marans | 150–200 | dark brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 8 of 10 | $6.49Cackle Hatchery |
| Red Sex Link | 280–320 | brown | Friendly | Hardy | 6 of 9 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Easter Egger | 200–280 | blue, green | Friendly | Cold hardy; most have a pea comb | 4 of 4 | $6.49Cackle Hatchery |
| Black Sex Link | 250–300 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 3 of 3 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Sussex | 200–250 | light brown | Friendly | Cold hardy | 3 of 4 | $6.49Cackle Hatchery |
| Australorp | 250–300 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 2 of 2 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Dominique | 230–275 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy; rose comb | 2 of 2 | $6.49Cackle Hatchery |
| Olive Egger | 180–250 | olive | Calm | Cold hardy | 2 of 3 | $7.35Townline Hatchery |
| Welsummer | 160–200 | dark brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 2 of 2 | $6.49Cackle Hatchery |
| Barnevelder | 150–200 | dark brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 2 of 2 | $12.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Chantecler | 150–200 | brown | Calm | Very cold hardy | 2 of 2 | — |
| Jersey Giant | 150–200 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 2 of 2 | $6.49Cackle Hatchery |
| Faverolles | 150–200 | tinted | Friendly | Cold hardy | 2 of 2 | $9.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Amberlink | 270–300 | light brown | Friendly | Hardy | 1 of 1 | $6.60Townline Hatchery |
| Austra White | 250–300 | tinted | Calm | Copes with heat | 1 of 1 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Delaware | 200–280 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 1 of 3 | $6.49Cackle Hatchery |
| Rhode Island White | 180–240 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy; rose comb | 1 of 1 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| New Hampshire | 200–240 | brown | Calm | Cold hardy | 1 of 1 | $5.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Bielefelder | 200–230 | brown | Friendly | Cold hardy | 1 of 1 | $12.99Cackle Hatchery |
| Isbar (Silverudd's Blue) | 180–220 | green | Calm | Cold hardy | 1 of 1 | — |
| Naked Neck (Turken) | 150–200 | brown | Calm | Copes well with heat | 1 of 1 | $6.49Cackle Hatchery |
| Swedish Flower Hen | 150–200 | cream | Friendly | Cold hardy | 1 of 1 | $19.99Cackle Hatchery |
Traits are general to each breed, from the breed standards and long-running references; a hatchery's own line can differ. "In stock" counts the breed's varieties that can be ordered today, and the pullet price is the cheapest sexed pullet among them.
Before you order
Buy sexed pullets unless you want roosters, and order at least three: chickens are flock animals, and a single surviving bird does badly on its own. Check how many hens your town allows, and whether it allows roosters at all, before choosing between pullets and straight run. What the pullet premium costs; how ordering by mail works.
Figures on this page were computed from the catalogue reading of October 25, 2026.