Discover the most popular chicken breeds in Poland.

To paraphrase a classic saying, one might say: “A chicken is a chicken, everyone can see that” – except that not all chickens are the same. There are many different chicken breeds available, and the existence of numerous breeding lines does not make things any easier for beginner poultry keepers. In this article, we would therefore like to introduce people who are just starting their adventure with these useful and rewarding birds to the general classification and characteristics of the chicken breeds most commonly found in Poland.

Classification of Chicken Breeds by Production Type

The simplest and most general way to classify chicken breeds is according to their main purpose. It should be emphasised, however, that in intensive poultry production the concept of a pure breed has become increasingly blurred, and modern laying and meat-producing flocks are often hybrids or commercial crosses (Różewicz, 142). In practice, this means that information concerning body size, egg production or plumage should be treated as approximate. The Rosa chicken alone, for example, exists in as many as five major commercial lines.

In general, chicken breeds can be divided into the following groups:

• Laying hens, or egg-type chickens. These birds have been selected specifically for above-average egg production.
• Meat chickens, or meat-type breeds. These birds grow more rapidly, have a heavier build and are usually less active.
• Dual-purpose chickens, combining meat and egg production. These are among the best choices for backyard poultry keeping. They produce a satisfactory number of eggs, while roosters develop a useful amount of meat. They are usually calm and hardy.
• Ornamental chickens, which are kept primarily for their appearance rather than economic performance, including unusual plumage, body size or other distinctive features.

There are, of course, other ways to classify chickens, for example according to origin or body size. These systems are generally less important from the practical point of view of the keeper, however, because they do not focus on the most important issue – the purpose for which the birds are being kept.

What Are the Characteristics of Laying Hens?

Even without specialist knowledge, it is usually easy to recognise a laying hen by its lighter and more delicate body shape. Viewed from the side, the bird often resembles a triangle with the narrow end pointing forwards. In simple terms, laying hens have a less developed breast and a more pronounced abdominal area.

From the productivity point of view, egg laying usually begins relatively early, at around 140–150 days of age, and annual production commonly ranges from 230 to 300 eggs. The exact number depends heavily on the breed and the production system. In intensive farming, Rosa hens may produce more than 300 eggs per year, whereas backyard birds will usually achieve lower results than the maximum figures quoted for a given line.

It is also worth remembering that laying breeds generally have a weak brooding instinct. Therefore, if the aim is to hatch chicks and expand the flock, using an egg incubator is usually a more reliable solution.

Some of the most popular laying breeds and commercial lines include:

• Rosa chickens – one of the most common laying types in Poland. Rosa is often described as a hybrid because its individual lines are crosses developed from different breeds. Lines 1 and 5 are especially popular and typically have black or black-and-brown plumage. Birds usually weigh up to around 2.5 kg and produce approximately 260–280 eggs per year.
• Leghorn chickens – another very popular laying type, known for producing large numbers of eggs, often exceeding 300 per year. High laying performance is associated with a very weak brooding instinct. These birds are generally light, weighing around 2 kg, and are commonly associated with white plumage. They forage well outdoors but tend to be rather nervous or flighty. Their feed consumption per egg is also relatively low. Lines found in Poland include Iwno Lg, Lohmann White, Hisex White, Shaver White, Hy-Line W 77, Bovans White and Babcock White (Łukasiewicz, 14).
• Lohmann Brown chickens – a highly productive laying hybrid that usually begins laying at around 19 weeks of age and may produce more than 320 eggs per year. Lohmann Brown hens generally weigh around 1.9–2.1 kg. Their eggs are characterised by strong shells and an intense brown colour.

Meat Chickens and Their Characteristics

If we see a chicken with a heavy, compact, almost square-shaped body, there is a good chance that it belongs to a meat-producing type. Meat chickens have been selected for rapid muscle growth and higher body weight. By around 20 weeks of age, hens may reach approximately 3.0 kg, while roosters may weigh about one kilogram more.

They reach sexual maturity relatively late, usually at around 200–210 days of age, and their egg production is generally much lower, typically around 110–120 eggs per year. Interestingly, meat-type hens are usually more likely to become broody.

The most commonly encountered meat types include:

• Cornish – more precisely, the Dominant White Cornish, which is one of the fundamental breeds used both in pure form and in hybrid combinations for broiler production. It has an exceptionally heavy body with a broad breast. White plumage is dominant, together with a characteristic pea comb and yellow shanks. The breed has a high proportion of meat in the carcass, although it grows more slowly than some modern hybrids.
• Ross 308 chickens – often confused by beginners with Rosa laying hens, although these are completely different birds. Ross meat chickens are designed to provide high production efficiency while reducing production costs. In studies, birds exceeded 2.2 kg body weight at 42 days, while the eviscerated carcass weight was close to 1.7 kg (Biesiada-Drzazga B., 13–14).

It is also worth noting, following Prof. E. Łukaszewicz, that numerous breeding companies market their own lines, whose names are often commercial brand names. Among the most common in Poland are Hydro G, Hydro PN, Avian Farms, Arbor Acres, Lohmann Meat, Indian River, Ross 308, Cobb 500, Flex and F-15. Parent flocks for meat production are generally created from hybrids derived mainly from two breeds: male lines from Dominant White Cornish (DWC) and female lines from White Rock (Łukasiewicz, 15). In practice, these are therefore commercial hybrid lines.

Best for Backyard Keeping – Dual-Purpose Chickens

When setting up a small backyard chicken coop, most people think primarily about obtaining fresh eggs and some meat for their own household. For this reason, dual-purpose breeds, which combine moderate egg production with useful meat yield, are usually the best choice for backyard or agritourism farms.

Viewed from the side, such chickens can often be recognised by a clearly rectangular body shape. Their brooding instinct is generally stronger than that of specialised laying breeds, although artificial incubation is still often recommended.

Examples of popular dual-purpose breeds found in Poland include:

• Zielononóżka chickens – particularly interesting for backyard keeping and often recommended for beginners. They are also visually distinctive due to partridge-type plumage and greenish shanks and skin. Despite their relatively delicate build and low body weight of around 1.5–2 kg, they begin laying at approximately 5.5–6 months and produce around 160–170 eggs per year. They are usually kept in smaller groups. The breed is highly active and enjoys foraging, sometimes at a considerable distance from the coop.
• Rhode Island Red chickens – very well suited to backyard and free-range conditions. The breed is popular with hobby keepers and small farms. Plumage colour varies, although mahogany tones dominate. Adult hens weigh around 2.5 kg and may lay up to 190 eggs per year. They are also known for a calm temperament, low nervousness and relatively high resistance to disease and difficult climatic conditions (Sosnówka-Czajka, 37–39).
• Sussex chickens – larger than the previous breeds, often reaching around 3 kg. They are easy to fatten and valued for tasty meat. Egg production is also good, reaching up to around 200 eggs per year. White plumage is common.
• White Rock chickens – among the heaviest dual-purpose breeds, usually weighing around 3 kg. They grow relatively quickly and have a strongly developed breast. As the name suggests, they have white plumage. Egg production is usually up to around 180 eggs per year, although some lines achieve better results.
• Wyandotte chickens – typically produce around 180–220 eggs per year. Hens usually weigh around 2.5–3 kg, while roosters may reach up to 4 kg. The breed combines the characteristics of a good laying hen with useful meat production.
• Brahma chickens – characterised by a very large body, with hens reaching up to approximately 4.5 kg and roosters up to around 5.5 kg. Feathered legs are one of their most distinctive features. Annual egg production is usually around 120–140 eggs.

What Are Ornamental Chicken Breeds and What Do They Look Like?

Unlike the breeds described above, ornamental chickens are not selected primarily for economic performance. As M. Różewicz points out, breeders do not select these birds for production traits, but rather for correct body structure and appearance consistent with the breed standard (Różewicz, 138).

In practice, this means that the appearance of the bird is the most important factor. It should match a defined standard characteristic of the given ornamental breed. Among the most popular ornamental chickens kept by enthusiasts are Silkies, Polish chickens and Sebrights.

• Silkie chicken – also known simply as the Silkie, this is one of the most recognisable ornamental breeds. Its plumage is very soft and fluffy, visually resembling fur or silk. Birds of this breed may also have a characteristic crest that partly covers the eyes.
• Polish chicken, also known as the Polish crested chicken – difficult to overlook because of the very large and eye-catching crest on its head. Plumage is often very light, usually white, although gold and silver varieties are also common. These are lively and active birds that generally do not require particularly intensive care, making them suitable for beginners. Their egg production is relatively low, typically around 120–140 eggs per year.
• Sebright chicken – a true bantam breed. Despite its small size, it is highly valued for its striking appearance. The most common colour varieties are gold and silver, with each feather edged in black. The effect resembles stained glass or a colouring-book illustration with dark outlines.

Summary

It is difficult to summarise the most important points in just a few words, but one practical piece of advice can be given to people starting their first backyard flock. If they are unsure which breed to choose, it is worth considering dual-purpose chickens, which combine egg and meat production.

Among these, Rhode Island Red and Zielononóżka chickens can be particularly interesting choices for a backyard coop. Both are versatile breeds that provide a good number of eggs and useful meat while remaining relatively hardy. Zielononóżka also has attractive ornamental qualities thanks to its distinctive plumage and greenish legs.

For people interested in starting poultry keeping, we also recommend our guide to buying laying hens. It includes practical advice on assessing bird health regardless of which breed you ultimately choose.

Bibliography:
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Biesiada-Drzazga B. et al., Evaluation of the growth and slaughter value of the Ross 308 broiler chickens, “Acta Sci. Pol., Zootechnica” 2011/10 (3).
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