Best Chicken Breeds by U.S. Region: What to Raise Based on Where You Live

 

Raising backyard chickens is rewarding—but did you know your geographic location can play a huge role in the health and productivity of your flock? Whether you’re in the humid South, frigid Midwest, or arid Southwest, choosing the right chicken breeds for your climate is essential.

 

Let’s break down the best chicken breeds for each U.S. region and what to consider when building your flock.

🧭 Why Geography Matters When Choosing Chickens

Different chicken breeds handle cold, heat, humidity, and dryness differently. For example:

 

• Cold-hardy breeds have dense feathering and small combs to prevent frostbite.
• Heat-tolerant breeds tend to be lighter-bodied with larger combs to dissipate heat.
• Humidity affects breathing and feather quality, while dry regions require hardy birds that forage well.

Choosing the right breed ensures better egg production, fewer health issues, and happier chickens.

🥶 Best Chicken Breeds for the Northern U.S. (Northeast & Midwest)

States: Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, etc.

Cold-Hardy Breeds to Consider:

 

 

• Buff Orpingtons – Friendly, dual-purpose, and great winter layers.
• Plymouth Rocks – Calm, reliable egg layers with cold tolerance.
• Australorps – Impressive egg production and fluffy feathers.
• Brahmas – Large, feather-footed birds that handle deep snow well.

 

🔥 Best Chicken Breeds for the Southern U.S. (Southeast)

States: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, etc.

Heat-Tolerant Breeds to Consider:

 

 

• Leghorns – Excellent egg layers that thrive in heat.
• Easter Eggers – Hardy in many climates and lay colorful eggs.
• Anconas – Active, good foragers that tolerate heat well.
• Minorca – Mediterranean breed with high heat tolerance.

📝 Tip: Avoid large, heavy breeds like Brahmas or Cochins that overheat easily. Provide lots of water and shade.

🏜️ Best Chicken Breeds for the Southwest (Dry & Arid Climates)

 

 

States: Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, parts of California

Drought-Hardy Breeds to Consider:

 

 

• Welsummers – Beautiful eggs, excellent foragers.
• Barnevelders – Handle dry conditions well and lay rich brown eggs.
• Appenzeller Spitzhaubens – Active and heat/drought resilient.
• Fayoumis – Ancient Egyptian breed bred for desert climates.

📝 Tip: Avoid overly fluffy breeds—feathered feet and thick plumage can cause heat stress in arid areas.

🌲 Best Chicken Breeds for the Pacific Northwest

 

States: Washington, Oregon, Northern California

 

 

Rain and Cool-Climate Breeds to Consider:

 

 

• Ameraucanas – Cold hardy and do well in damp climates.
• Delawares – Dual-purpose with good egg production.
• Speckled Sussex – Friendly and adaptable to wet weather.
• Cuckoo Marans – Known for dark eggs and tolerance to drizzle.

 

📝 Tip: Make sure your coop is well-ventilated to reduce mold and respiratory issues.

🌤️ Best Chicken Breeds for the Central U.S. (Plains & Variable Weather)

States: Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, etc.

Versatile Breeds for Changing Weather:

 

 

• Rhode Island Reds – Hardy and dependable egg layers.
• Barred Rocks – Easy to raise and adaptable.
• Wyandottes – Gorgeous, dual-purpose birds with thick feathers.
• Dominiques – America’s oldest breed, tough and resilient.

📝 Tip: Focus on hardy, adaptable breeds that can handle cold snaps and summer heatwaves.

Final Thoughts: Choose Chickens That Match Your Climate

Your location matters more than you think when choosing the right chickens. Matching breeds to your local climate helps ensure better health, better production, and lower stress for both you and your birds.

✔️ Start with 3–6 birds of climate-appropriate breeds

✔️ Upgrade your coop to match your region’s needs

✔️ Use [Open Sky Poultry’s recommended gear] to raise healthy, happy birds