Light breeds are smaller and have a greater tendency to flight, but produce greater numbers of eggs than the heavy breeds. If the aim is to produce the maximum number of eggs possible, the choice of breed will be one of the modern hybrid breeds that have been specifically selected for egg production. Again these require high-input production systems. The color of the eggs (generally brown or white) may also be of importance and this depends on individual market preferences.

If the aim is to produce the maximum number of eggs possible, the choice of breed will be one of the modern hybrid breeds that have been specifically selected for egg production. Again these require high-input production systems.

The color of the eggs (generally brown or white) may also be of importance and this depends on individual market preferences.
 
Dual purpose birds are those that have characteristics of both the heavy and lighter breeds. They are capable of a reasonable "table weight" and also produce a good number of eggs.

Meat ProductionIf the purpose of your chickens is solely meat production, Rhode Island Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks have become a very popular choice. Both of these breeds are known to forage well on open range, produce a fair amount of eggs and make a flavorful table dish. The Plymouth Rock was recently chosen most preferred in a blind taste test over the “commercial” Cornish rock cross. Cornish cross or red Cornish cross Chickens are also meat chickens. These breeds are hybrids with the purpose of being fast growers and heavier birds.

Egg Production:
When considering a chicken breed for egg production Leghorns are often among the top choices considered. The Leghorn chickens have been kept as layers since ancient times. They lay large white eggs starting at a young age and continue at a high rate of production for the majority of their life. Sex links are another popular choice for egg production. Sex Link chickens are bred specifically for egg production and their color pattern indicated their sex. The characteristics of these birds vary, but overall they are so carefully bred, sex link chickens come with a guarantee of high egg production and good behavior.

Dual Purpose Chickens:
What we are looking for here is a breed of chicken that will be a good producer of eggs and yet be suitable source for meat as well. Several breeds of chicken will fall into this category at different levels, but your best choice will most likely be the Rhode Island Red. Even though this chicken is thought more of as a meat bird, they lay large brown eggs and their production rates are only slightly lower than that of the Leghorn. Some other popular breeds that fall into this category are New Hampshires and Wyandottes.