Chickens are often a permaculturist’s first entry into keeping livestock. An ideal addition to zone 2 of a permaculture property, chickens offer a number of benefits. Besides eggs and meat, they can help keep the soil healthy via their scratching and scavenging, they can aid in controlling insect populations. Their droppings are a great natural fertilizer, they will eat most of the scraps you’re your kitchen, and even their body heat can be utilized to warm a greenhouse or bathroom. Not only that, but chickens require relatively little maintenance and provide a lot of pleasure for the gardener, as they have different personalities and character traits.
There are several species of chickens that are suitable for backyard permaculture gardens. While the specific climate and environmental conditions, as well as what you wish to get from your chickens, will impact upon your choice, here are a few species that are suitable for most locations.
Rhode Island Red
This species is often the first that gardeners obtain, when starting to experiment with keeping poultry, as they are tough and hardy birds. They have dark red or rust colored feathers and are relatively large. Their size makes them good for adding heat to a greenhouse if you place the coop adjacent to it. The other reason they are a popular choice is that they are among the best layers of all breeds, with healthy hens regularly producing between 250 and 300 eggs a year. They are reasonably well behaved, although can be bossy among the flock as they assert hierarchies. Just be wary about exposure to frost, as their large combs can make them susceptible to frostbite.
This species is often the first that gardeners obtain, when starting to experiment with keeping poultry, as they are tough and hardy birds. They have dark red or rust colored feathers and are relatively large. Their size makes them good for adding heat to a greenhouse if you place the coop adjacent to it. The other reason they are a popular choice is that they are among the best layers of all breeds, with healthy hens regularly producing between 250 and 300 eggs a year. They are reasonably well behaved, although can be bossy among the flock as they assert hierarchies. Just be wary about exposure to frost, as their large combs can make them susceptible to frostbite.
Sussex
A breed that originated in England during the nineteenth century, have a distinctive coloring of white feathers, a black tail and a speckled black neck. It is equally happy as a free-range bird or in a coop or tractor. They are excellent foragers and so popular with permaculturists as they turn the soil and keep pest numbers down. A good all-rounder, with plenty of eggs and a good size for meat, Sussex chickens rival the Rhode Island Red as the perfect first chicken.
A breed that originated in England during the nineteenth century, have a distinctive coloring of white feathers, a black tail and a speckled black neck. It is equally happy as a free-range bird or in a coop or tractor. They are excellent foragers and so popular with permaculturists as they turn the soil and keep pest numbers down. A good all-rounder, with plenty of eggs and a good size for meat, Sussex chickens rival the Rhode Island Red as the perfect first chicken.
Wyandotte
Wyandottes are very pretty chickens, with a lacy appearance to their feathers, typically either silver or gold against black. The thick ruff of feathers they carry around their necks may mean they need cleaning more often than other breeds, but as a docile species, they are comfortable being handle for such maintenance tasks. They produce medium-sized eggs roughly every two days, and have well-developed breasts, making them good eating birds.
Wyandottes are very pretty chickens, with a lacy appearance to their feathers, typically either silver or gold against black. The thick ruff of feathers they carry around their necks may mean they need cleaning more often than other breeds, but as a docile species, they are comfortable being handle for such maintenance tasks. They produce medium-sized eggs roughly every two days, and have well-developed breasts, making them good eating birds.
Delaware
Originating in the state of the same name, Delawares have a unique pattern of feathers, being predominantly white but with a speckling of black running down the back from the neck. They were originally bred as meat birds but are also good layers. One of the main reasons they make good backyard chickens is their easy-going nature. They are docile and friendly, and one of the quieter breeds so good for gardens in more built-up areas. They are a hardy breed, so are adaptable to many climate conditions.
Originating in the state of the same name, Delawares have a unique pattern of feathers, being predominantly white but with a speckling of black running down the back from the neck. They were originally bred as meat birds but are also good layers. One of the main reasons they make good backyard chickens is their easy-going nature. They are docile and friendly, and one of the quieter breeds so good for gardens in more built-up areas. They are a hardy breed, so are adaptable to many climate conditions.
Leghorn
While their feathers come in many colours, the most striking feature of the Leghorn’s appearance is their robust, bright red combs. They are a relatively small size and have a more flighty disposition. However, given a suitably stress-free environment, they can be very good layers, producing around 280 eggs a year, on average.
While their feathers come in many colours, the most striking feature of the Leghorn’s appearance is their robust, bright red combs. They are a relatively small size and have a more flighty disposition. However, given a suitably stress-free environment, they can be very good layers, producing around 280 eggs a year, on average.
Orpington
Sometimes known as the lapdogs of the chicken world, Orpingtons will actively seek out human contact, particularly if free range. It is a heavy breed that looks even larger thanks to its thick feathering. Producing eggs roughly every three days throughout the year, Orpingtons also mature quite early, making them a good dual-purpose species.
Sometimes known as the lapdogs of the chicken world, Orpingtons will actively seek out human contact, particularly if free range. It is a heavy breed that looks even larger thanks to its thick feathering. Producing eggs roughly every three days throughout the year, Orpingtons also mature quite early, making them a good dual-purpose species.
Plymouth Rock
This species is commonly used commercially for both meat and egg production, and it is this dual purpose that can make them attractive to the smallholder. Another benefit of the species is their hardiness, making them good for environments that have large swings in temperature through the seasons. They are also a good choice for those with smaller plots, as they adapt well to confinement – they will be perfectly happy in a chicken tractor.
This species is commonly used commercially for both meat and egg production, and it is this dual purpose that can make them attractive to the smallholder. Another benefit of the species is their hardiness, making them good for environments that have large swings in temperature through the seasons. They are also a good choice for those with smaller plots, as they adapt well to confinement – they will be perfectly happy in a chicken tractor.
Brahma
Despite their large size, Brahmas are a very calm and easy to manage breed. They have a thick covering of feathers, which extends down their legs, making them a good choice for cooler climates. They are slower to mature than many other breeds, so are better as egg and breeding hens than meat birds. The breed originated from India, and takes its name from a river there. There are three main types, white, dark and buff. The white has, obviously, white feathers, but with a black tail; the dark has a dark grey speckled body, while the buff is predominantly gold coloured.
Despite their large size, Brahmas are a very calm and easy to manage breed. They have a thick covering of feathers, which extends down their legs, making them a good choice for cooler climates. They are slower to mature than many other breeds, so are better as egg and breeding hens than meat birds. The breed originated from India, and takes its name from a river there. There are three main types, white, dark and buff. The white has, obviously, white feathers, but with a black tail; the dark has a dark grey speckled body, while the buff is predominantly gold coloured.
Cornish
Predominantly a meat bird, Cornish chickens grow quickly, developing good coverage on the breast and leg. They are very active birds, so are more suited to plots with a good amount of space, which might also be good for the neighbors, as they have a tendency to be quite loud. You may get around 50 eggs a year from a mature hen, but if you are looking for a meat bird, the Cornish makes an excellent choice.
Predominantly a meat bird, Cornish chickens grow quickly, developing good coverage on the breast and leg. They are very active birds, so are more suited to plots with a good amount of space, which might also be good for the neighbors, as they have a tendency to be quite loud. You may get around 50 eggs a year from a mature hen, but if you are looking for a meat bird, the Cornish makes an excellent choice.
Australorp
Regarded as the national breed of Australia, Australorps are new bred around the world. They have glossy black
feathers and are medium-sized chickens. They have a docile character and generally don’t mind being handled. This means they are adaptable additions to flocks containing other species, and can be a good breed to introduce to children. They are predominantly an egg bird, typically producing around 250 pale brown eggs a year.
Regarded as the national breed of Australia, Australorps are new bred around the world. They have glossy black
feathers and are medium-sized chickens. They have a docile character and generally don’t mind being handled. This means they are adaptable additions to flocks containing other species, and can be a good breed to introduce to children. They are predominantly an egg bird, typically producing around 250 pale brown eggs a year.
There are many other species of chicken available to the permaculture gardener that may be suitable for your plot and your needs. Most chicken breeds will do well as long as their needs are met. Provide a chicken with shelter, food, water, protection from predators, and companionship (keeping single chickens is considered cruel as they are sociable creatures), and they can be a valuable and pleasurable addition to the garden.
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