PLYMOUTH ROCK - Plymouth Rocks are traditionally classified as a dual purpose or general purpose breed and is a bird of graceful curves with a large compact body, broad back and breast, medium upright single comb, yellow legs and rich bay eyes. Large and bantam versions are available, in various colours, but by far the most popular are the Buff and Barred bantams which are almost unique in their colour and markings. Large White Plymouth Rocks are currently used as the female line in 95% of the world's broiler breeding stocks. Quick maturing, the breed is also a very good layer of tinted eggs.

WYANDOTTE - Developed in North America from may other breeds, its name is derived from the American Indian tribe, Wy-an-dot. The first standardised colour was the Silver Laced in 1883, which arrived in England soon after this date. Subsequent crossbreeding created wide variations in colour and plumage, the most popular being laced and pencilled varieties. Available in large and bantam sizes the Wyandotte is curvy, with broad back, upright tail, with a short, broad head and neck and a rosecomb. Its clean legs are yellow and its eyes bright bay. The Exhibition whites regularly take major top prizes

SUSSEX - The Sussex is derived from the original Old Sussex fowls, bred for their meat and eggs in Victorian times. The formation of the 1903 Sussex Breed Club led to further development in colours and varieties, many with spectacular and beautiful feather patterns. Sussex are graceful, possessing a long, broad, flat back, tail at an angle of 45 degrees, fine neat head and a medium sized single comb. The eyes of the darker colours are red, the lighter ones, orange, but all colours have red earlobes and white legs and feet. The breed comes in large and bantam sizes, with the Light Sussex bantam being by far the most popular.

ORPINGTON - Named after the home town in Kent of William Cook who bred the original utility Black in 1886. When superseded by a large feathery exhibition bird, Cook responded by producing the Buff. Now there are other colours. Orpingtons have a deep broad body, the back appearing short with a somewhat concave shape. The head is neat with a single comb. Dark colours have dark eyes and legs, paler colours have red eyes and white legs. Chicks can take longer to feather up than some other breeds. Also available in bantam size, where it is particularly popular in the Black colour. Particularly docile, Orpingtons regularly take top show awards and the HM the Queen Mother had her own stud of top Large fowl Buff Orpingtons.

FAVEROLLES - Originally created for its dual-purpose qualities, the Faverolles originated in the village of Faverolles, in Northern France, and was imported into Great Britain in 1895. Good for laying and meat, Faverolles have a rather square shape, due to small closely tucked wings, combined with a slightly upright tail and short neck. Salmon is a colour unique to the Faverolles. All colours have orange eyes except blues and blacks which are dark. Legs and feet are white, again except for blues and blacks, which are dark. Faverolles males can weigh up to 11lbs (5.0kg) and hens 9lbs (4.3kg). They are bred in bantam as well as the large sizes and although slow maturing, have an excellent temperament.

MARANS - Most famous for their deep brown eggs, the Marans originated in France and was introduced in England around 1929. The body is of medium length with good width and depth for meat production. Marans have high tails, complementing a neat head with a single comb and prominent eye. All colours have orangey-red eyes, with red earlobes and white legs. They mature quickly for a heavy breed, reaching 6-7lbs ( 2.7kg-3.2kg) in six months. Day-old males have a large white spot on the top of the head, females a smaller one which makes sexing chicks fairly easy. Both bantam and large Fowl are available.

BRAHMA - Originating in China, the Brahma arrived in England via America in the 1850's. A handsome and large bird, it is full-bodied with a small head, beetle brows and neat pea comb. Brahmas have a hard, tight, dense plumage and heavily feathered legs and both large fowl and bantam versions are available in a range of colours. The first colour was the Light, white with black striped hackle, black in the wings with a black tail, but they have since developed a wide variety of colours. Brahmas have red eyes, combs and earlobes, plus bright yellow legs. The Large Fowl can take up to two years to become fully developed, and they are not prolific layers. However, they are very placid by nature and are therefore good birds for children.

BARNEVELDER - This old breed takes its name from the Dutch town in which it was bred to provide brown eggs for the Netherlands market. Imported to the UK in 1921 where a Club was established which standardised four colours - black, double-laced, silver and partridge. The double-laced is now the most popular. Barnevelder are available in large and bantam sizes. They possess an upright stance, with a compact well-balanced body and a broad breast. Short wings are carried high as is the neat head topped with a medium sized, single comb. They possess a docile character, and are quite good layers of medium brown eggs.

RHODE ISLAND RED - The breed was first developed in Rhode Island State, USA, in the 1830s. Eggs from the breed were sent to the UK in 1903, and the American Standard established in 1904. "Rhodies" have a broad, deep, brick-shaped body, flat back and medium sized tail with prominent eyes and yellow legs. The male plumage is glossy, rich lustrous and dark red, whilst the females are less so. Rhode Island Reds are active birds, which enjoy scratching about, particularly on grass. Both large fowl and bantams are available and quite popular.

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