
Groups of Chickens
Chicken Breeds are first broken down into two groups. We have the standard chicken breeds which are the large breeds of poultry normally known for their large size and weight. Then we have the bantam chickens or banties. These are known for their miniature size and ability to fly. Becareful when raising bantams because they can easily fly over your fence and into your neighbor's yard if your chicken coop or chicken run is not closed off at the top.
Classes of Chickens
Chicken Breeds are then noted for their classifications or chicken class. A Chicken breed's class determines the chicken's place of origin. Examples of these would be the American Class, Asiatic Class and the Mediterranean Class. Within the American Class of Chicken Breeds we would find the New Hampshires, Jersey Giants and the Buckeyes. Popular amongs the Asiatic Class would be the Brahmas and the Sumatras, while the Mediterranean Class of Chicken Breeds is famous for Leghorns and the Minorcas. Keep in mind that within the chicken classifications, we will find many chicken varieties. Take for example the Mediterranean Class Leghorns in which we would find brown leghorns and white leghorns.
