Raising backyard chickens has become incredibly popular, with folks eager to collect fresh eggs and enjoy the company of these feathered friends. But not all chicken breeds are created equal! Some can be noisy, aggressive, or simply not suitable for your specific living situation. Understanding which breeds might cause headaches can save you time, money, and frustration in your poultry adventures.
This article provides general information about chicken breeds that may present challenges for some keepers. Individual birds may vary in temperament and behavior. Please research thoroughly and consult with local poultry experts before making decisions about which chickens to raise.
1. Naked Neck (Turken)
Imagine a chicken that appears to have survived a partial plucking! The Naked Neck, sometimes called Turken, has a completely featherless neck that often startles visitors.
While they tolerate heat well, their unusual appearance requires extra cold-weather protection. These birds need special consideration in chilly climates and may face social rejection from more conventional-looking flock members.
2. Cornish Cross
Speed-growing Cornish Cross chickens reach butchering size in just 6-8 weeks, making them popular in commercial meat production. But this rapid growth comes at a cost.
Heart problems, leg issues, and respiratory difficulties plague these birds. They require constant management to prevent obesity and rarely live healthy lives beyond a few months, making them poor choices for sustainable backyard flocks.
3. Silkie Bantams
Fluffy and adorable, Silkie Bantams resemble walking stuffed animals with their hair-like feathers and black skin. Children absolutely adore these unique birds!
Unfortunately, their charming appearance makes them vulnerable to predators. Their fuzzy feathers provide poor weather protection, requiring special housing arrangements. Additionally, their egg production remains disappointingly low compared to standard laying breeds.
4. Ayam Cemani
Known as the “Lamborghini of chickens,” Ayam Cemani birds are completely black – feathers, skin, meat, and even internal organs! This rare Indonesian breed commands prices upward of $200 per bird.
Beyond their astronomical cost, they’re mediocre egg layers producing only 80-100 eggs yearly. Their exotic status makes them targets for theft, and finding breeding stock remains challenging for average chicken keepers.
5. Leghorn (White Commercial Strain)
Commercial Leghorns dominate egg industries worldwide, laying an impressive 300+ eggs annually. Their efficiency explains why most store-bought eggs come from these prolific producers.
Yet these high-strung birds often exhibit extreme flightiness and stress behaviors in backyard settings. Their nervous temperament makes handling difficult, and they rarely develop the friendly personalities many backyard chicken keepers desire in their flocks.
6. Japanese Bantams
Miniature and ornamental, Japanese Bantams feature extremely short legs and upright tails that create a distinctive V-shape. These tiny showstoppers rarely weigh more than 26 ounces!
Their diminutive size makes them easy prey for hawks, cats, and even large rats. Egg production remains minimal, and their ornamental breeding prioritizes appearance over hardiness, resulting in birds that struggle in typical backyard environments.
7. Frizzle Feathered Varieties
Frizzle chickens sport curled, backward-growing feathers that give them an eternally windblown appearance. These genetic oddities always draw attention and comments from visitors!
Their unusual feathers provide poor insulation against cold and wet conditions. Frizzles require special housing considerations and struggle to regulate body temperature. Breeding them properly demands specialized knowledge to avoid health complications in offspring.
8. Serama
Originating from Malaysia, Seramas hold the title of world’s smallest chicken breed. Adult birds typically weigh less than 500 grams – about the size of a soda can!
Their extreme tininess makes them incredibly vulnerable to temperature changes and predators. Indoor housing becomes a necessity rather than an option. Despite their charming personalities, they produce tiny eggs and require specialized care beyond most casual chicken keepers’ resources.
9. Aseel
Ancient and muscular, Aseels were bred for fighting in India over 2,000 years ago. Their powerful builds and upright stance reflect their combative heritage.
Extreme aggression toward other chickens makes flock integration nearly impossible. Males will fight to the death without intervention. Female Aseels lay fewer than 40 eggs yearly, making them impractical choices for those wanting either peace or productivity in their chicken yard.
