Head to head

Chicken breed comparisons

Torn between two breeds? These are the matchups keepers actually agonize over — each one broken down on eggs, temperament, size, and hardiness so you can pick with confidence. Every verdict is built straight from our breed data.

Classic backyard favorites

BarnevelderVSWyandotte

up to 240/yr · dark brown vs brown

Barred Plymouth RockVSRhode Island Red

up to 300/yr · brown vs brown

Buff OrpingtonVSRhode Island Red

up to 300/yr · brown vs brown

AustralorpVSRhode Island Red

up to 300/yr · brown vs brown

Rhode Island RedVSSussex

up to 300/yr · brown vs light brown

Rhode Island RedVSWyandotte

up to 300/yr · brown vs brown

AustralorpVSBuff Orpington

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

Buff OrpingtonVSWyandotte

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

Barred Plymouth RockVSWyandotte

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

AustralorpVSBarred Plymouth Rock

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

AustralorpVSWyandotte

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

Buff OrpingtonVSSussex

up to 280/yr · brown vs light brown

Production layers

ISA BrownVSWhite Leghorn

up to 320/yr · brown vs white

AustralorpVSWhite Leghorn

up to 320/yr · brown vs white

Cream LegbarVSWhite Leghorn

up to 320/yr · blue vs white

Golden CometVSISA Brown

up to 320/yr · brown vs brown

Black Sex LinkVSGolden Comet

up to 320/yr · brown vs brown

Black Sex LinkVSISA Brown

up to 320/yr · brown vs brown

Rhode Island RedVSWhite Leghorn

up to 320/yr · brown vs white

Golden CometVSWhite Leghorn

up to 320/yr · brown vs white

Golden CometVSRhode Island Red

up to 320/yr · brown vs brown

ISA BrownVSRhode Island Red

up to 320/yr · brown vs brown

Blue & rainbow egg breeds

AmeraucanaVSOlive Egger

up to 250/yr · blue vs olive green

Easter EggerVSOlive Egger

up to 280/yr · blue, green, or olive vs olive green

Black Copper MaransVSOlive Egger

up to 200/yr · chocolate brown vs olive green

AmeraucanaVSEaster Egger

up to 280/yr · blue vs blue, green, or olive

AmeraucanaVSAraucana

up to 250/yr · blue vs blue

Cream LegbarVSEaster Egger

up to 280/yr · blue vs blue, green, or olive

AmeraucanaVSCream Legbar

up to 250/yr · blue vs blue

AraucanaVSEaster Egger

up to 280/yr · blue vs blue, green, or olive

Dark-egg layers

AustralorpVSBlack Copper Marans

up to 280/yr · brown vs chocolate brown

Barred Plymouth RockVSBlack Copper Marans

up to 280/yr · brown vs chocolate brown

Black Copper MaransVSRhode Island Red

up to 300/yr · chocolate brown vs brown

Black Copper MaransVSBuff Orpington

up to 280/yr · chocolate brown vs brown

Black Copper MaransVSWelsummer

up to 220/yr · chocolate brown vs dark terracotta brown

BarnevelderVSWelsummer

up to 220/yr · dark brown vs dark terracotta brown

BarnevelderVSBlack Copper Marans

up to 200/yr · dark brown vs chocolate brown

Gentle giants

AustralorpVSJersey Giant

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

Buff OrpingtonVSCochin

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

BrahmaVSWyandotte

up to 240/yr · brown vs brown

BrahmaVSSussex

up to 250/yr · brown vs light brown

CochinVSWyandotte

up to 240/yr · brown vs brown

BrahmaVSJersey Giant

up to 200/yr · brown vs brown

BrahmaVSCochin

up to 200/yr · brown vs brown

CochinVSJersey Giant

up to 200/yr · brown vs brown

BrahmaVSBuff Orpington

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

Ornamental & bantam

PolishVSSilkie

up to 200/yr · white vs cream

CochinVSSilkie

up to 180/yr · brown vs cream

SebrightVSSerama

up to 200/yr · cream vs cream

PolishVSSultan

up to 200/yr · white vs white

SeramaVSSilkie

up to 200/yr · cream vs cream

Easy to tell apart

Barred Plymouth RockVSDominique

up to 280/yr · brown vs brown

Rhode Island RedVSRhode Island White

up to 300/yr · brown vs brown

New HampshireVSRhode Island Red

up to 300/yr · brown vs brown

Still deciding? Track the one you pick

PoultryPal logs eggs, weight, and life events for every bird — so once your flock's home, you'll know exactly which breed earns its keep. Free on iOS and Android.