Chicken Breeds Ideal for Backyard Pets and Eggs

This hen named Fronk is a fine-looking specimen of its breed, one that dates back to the late 1800s. Exceptionally hardy, the Rhode Island Red lays large brown eggs. Some chicken owners say RIRs have easygoing personalities; others say they are bossy. As with many breeds, it comes down to whether they are handled frequently when they are chicks and whether human interaction is encouraged with treats. The RIR is the state bird of Rhode Island.