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All chicken breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) are categorized into classes according to their place of origin and physical characteristics. There are separate sets of classes for standard and bantam breeds.
Contents
Large breeds
The large breeds are sorted into one of six classes; the breeds in each class usually share a specified place of origin, as well as a number of characteristics. The six classes are as follows: American, Asiatic, Continental, English, Mediterranean, and All Other Standard Breeds.
American Class
The American Class contains thirteen breeds, all of which originated in Canada or the United States. The birds of this class are all heavy breeds, and most lay brown eggs. They are cold-hardy for the most part, with the Buckeye and Chantecler reputed as being among the best breeds for considerably cold climates.
List of breeds
Asiatic Class
The three breeds in this class all have their origins in China; they are large, feather legged, and lay brown eggs.
List of breeds
Continental Class
The Continental Class contains large-sized chicken breeds of Continental European origins, excluding however, birds originating in the Mediterranean region. The breeds included in this class are mostly sprightly birds, the Faverolles being the most prominent exception. The ten breeds in the Continental Class hail from four countries, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
List of breeds
English Class
This class is made up of breeds that originated in the United Kingdom and Australia. Pink skin is a characteristic sported by the breeds of this class, and all but the Redcap are heavier birds that lay brown eggs.
List of breeds
Mediterranean Class
All members of this class possess white earlobes and tend to be productive layers of white eggs. In general they are flighty, and exceptional free-range birds; with both evasion and foraging skills. The beginnings of all the breeds of this class center around the Mediterranean region, namely Italy and Spain.
List of breeds
All Other Standard Breeds
This class contains the breeds that cannot be classified in any of the other classes. It consists of three subclasses, being the Game, Oriental, and Miscellaneous. The Game subclass includes the non-oriental game birds. The Oriental subclass includes mainly birds from Asia, the Cubalaya, however, is from Cuba. The Miscellaneous subclass holds the remaining breeds.
List of breeds
Game
Oriental
Miscellaneous
Bantam breeds
Bantams are classified according to their appearance. The six classes are as follows: Modern Game; Game; Single Comb, Clean Legged; Rose Comb, Clean Legged; Feather Legged; and All Other Comb, Clean Legged. The American Bantam Association's (ABA) classifications occasionally differ from the American Poultry Association's. Some breeds are in multiple classes.
Modern Game
This class consists solely of the Modern Game.
Game
The Game class includes the remaining game bantams.
List of breeds
Single Comb, Clean Legged
This class contains all the bantam breeds possessing a single comb, excluding the game bantams. The Catalana, Holland, Java, Jersey Giant, and Lamona are not recognized by the American Bantam Association, and the Junglefowl, Nankin, Pyncheon, and Vorwerk, while recognized by the former, are not recognized by the American Poultry Association.
List of breeds
Rose Comb, Clean Legged
This class is made up of, as its name states, breeds that possess both a Rose Comb, and featherless legs. The ABA does not recognize the Redcap.
List of breeds
Feather Legged
The breeds of this class have feathering on their legs and feet.
List of breeds
All Other Comb, Clean Legged
This class includes all of the breeds that do not meet the qualifications of any of the other classes. The ABA does not recognize the Crevecoeur, and the APA does not recognize the Orloff.