The historical ornamental Sebright Bantam is studied by molecular biologists in hopes of creating a better understanding of the genome of chickens and how traits are passed on. Hens produce tiny white eggs, but they are non-broody and unreliable as layers.
The Chantecler is a cold-hardy, dual-purpose, heritage chicken breed, especially treasured for its juicy, flavorful meat.
The Crevecouer chicken breed is primarily used for exhibition, though it was originally developed for meat. Crevecouer hens are also respectable layers of medium-sized, white eggs.
The Java is a dual-purpose, heritage chicken breed. Hens are decent layers of large to medium-sized, brown eggs and are broody.
The Jersey Giant is a dual-purpose, heritage chicken breed, especially noted as an outstanding roasting chicken.
The Russian Orloff is a dual-purpose, heritage chicken breed, especially prized for its meat.
The Sussex is a dual-purpose, heritage chicken breed. Hens are excellent producers of large, cream-colored or light-brown eggs that they lay through the coldest winter months.
Developed for cockfighting, the Aseel chicken breed is now known for its gaminess.
The Dorking is an ancient, dual-purpose chicken breed that produces about three to four white eggs per week, even in winter.
Minorca chickens are known as wonderful layers of large, chalky-white eggs.
The Nankin is a bantam chicken breed used primarily as exhibition fowl, though the hens are decent layers of tiny, delectable, creamy-white eggs. The breed is very broody and excels as surrogate hatchers.
