Gold chicken breeds are a group of poultry varieties that have golden or yellow feathers, either solid or patterned. They are popular for their beauty, productivity, and adaptability. In this article, we will explore the different types of best and beautiful gold chicken breeds with some facts that you should know!
7 Beautiful Gold chicken breeds Recognized by American Poultry Association
The American Poultry Association (APA) is the oldest and most prestigious poultry organization in the US. It recognizes and standardizes various breeds and varieties of chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. Among the gold chicken breeds, the APA recognizes the following:
Golden Leghorn: A medium-sized breed that originated in Italy and was developed in the US. It has a single comb, white earlobes, and yellow legs. It is a prolific layer of large white eggs and a good forager. It comes in two varieties: light and dark.
Golden Phoenix: A long-tailed breed that originated in Japan and was introduced to the US in the late 19th century. It has a walnut comb, red earlobes, and slate legs. It is a fair layer of small tinted eggs and a docile and friendly bird. It comes in two varieties: golden and silver.
Golden Laced Wyandotte: A large and heavy breed that originated in the US in the late 19th century. It has a rose comb, red earlobes, and yellow legs. It is a dual-purpose breed that lays large brown eggs and has a good meat quality. It has a striking black and gold laced pattern on its feathers.
Golden Spangled: A term used to describe the color pattern of some breeds that have a golden or yellow ground color with black spangles or spots on the feathers. Some of the breeds that have this pattern are Spitzhauben, Polish, and Orloff.
Bearded Golden: A term used to describe the color pattern of some breeds that have a golden or yellow plumage with a beard or muff of feathers under the chin. Some of the breeds that have this pattern are Polish, Silkie, and Faverolles.
Golden Penciled: A term used to describe the color pattern of some breeds that have a golden or yellow ground color with fine black penciling on the feathers. Some of the breeds that have this pattern are Hamburg, Hamburgh, and Friesian.
Golden Duckwing: A term used to describe the color pattern of some breeds that have a golden or yellow hackle, saddle, and wing bay, and a black or dark body. Some of the breeds that have this pattern are Old English Game, Modern Game, American Game, and Shamo.
3 Best & Beautiful Gold chicken breeds for egg production
If you are looking for gold chicken breeds that can provide you with a steady supply of eggs, you might want to consider the following:
Golden Comet: A hybrid breed that was created by crossing a Rhode Island Red rooster with a White Leghorn hen. It has a single comb, red earlobes, and yellow legs. It is a prolific layer of large brown eggs and a calm and friendly bird. It has a reddish-gold plumage with white tail feathers.
Golden Campine: A medium-sized breed that originated in Belgium and was brought to the US in the early 20th century. It has a single comb, white earlobes, and slate legs. It is a good layer of medium white eggs and a lively and active bird. It has a golden plumage with black barring on the neck, back, and tail.
Golden Sebright: A bantam breed that originated in England and was developed by Sir John Sebright in the late 18th century. It has a rose comb, red earlobes, and slate legs. It is a fair layer of small white eggs and a friendly and ornamental bird. It has a golden plumage with black lacing on the feathers and a hen-like appearance in both sexes.
3 Best & Beautiful Gold chicken breeds for backyard coops
If you are looking for gold chicken breeds that can thrive in your backyard coop, you might want to consider the following:
Buff Orpington: A large and fluffy breed that originated in England and was named after the town of Orpington. It has a single comb, red earlobes, and pinkish-white legs. It is a dual-purpose breed that lays large brown eggs and has a good meat quality. It has a solid buff or golden plumage and a gentle and docile personality.
Rhode Island Red: A large and hardy breed that originated in the US and was named after the state of Rhode Island. It has a single comb, red earlobes, and yellow legs. It is a dual-purpose breed that lays large brown eggs and has a good meat quality. It has a dark red or mahogany plumage and a confident and alert temperament.
Golden Polish: A medium-sized and crested breed that originated in Poland and was brought to the US in the 19th century. It has a V-shaped comb, white earlobes, and slate legs. It is a fair layer of medium white eggs and a curious and friendly bird. It has a golden plumage with a white crest and a distinctive appearance.
Other 4 Beautiful Gold Chicken Breeds
Golden Brahma: The Golden Brahma, originating from birds imported from Shanghai, China, is a sizable and sturdy breed developed in the United States. Recognized by its unique head shape and pea comb, it is also admired for its amiable and docile nature. Renowned for both meat and egg production, Golden Brahmas typically lay around 200 eggs annually.
Golden Hamburg: Originating from Holland and Britain, the Golden Hamburg is a spirited and decorative breed celebrated for its vibrant red rose comb and gray legs, along with its diverse color variations. With an average of 150 eggs laid per year, Golden Hamburg chickens exhibit resilience to cold climates and display adaptability across various habitats.
Golden Lakenvelder: The Golden Lakenvelder, a rare and enchanting breed hailing from the Netherlands, boasts a striking and intricate plumage coveted by poultry enthusiasts. Notable for their sociable demeanor, these chickens lay approximately 170 cream-colored eggs annually, fostering a strong affinity for human interaction.
Golden Cuckoo Marans: Distinguished by its rare feather pattern, the Golden Cuckoo Marans is a coveted variation of the Marans breed, renowned for its production of large, russet brown eggs. Featuring distinctive golden cuckooing and striping in various shades, these active foragers coexist harmoniously with other poultry breeds while maintaining a peaceful demeanor.
Gold chicken characteristics and temperament
Gold chicken breeds share some common characteristics and temperament traits that make them appealing to poultry enthusiasts. Some of these are:
Beauty: Gold chicken breeds have a stunning and eye-catching plumage that ranges from solid to patterned, from light to dark, and from plain to laced. They can add a splash of color and elegance to your flock and your backyard.
Productivity: Gold chicken breeds are generally good layers of eggs that vary in size and color. Some of them are also good for meat production and can provide you with a dual-purpose bird. They can also be good foragers and help you reduce your feed costs.
Adaptability: Gold chicken breeds are generally hardy and resilient birds that can adapt to different climates and environments. Some of them are cold-tolerant and can withstand harsh winters. Some of them are heat-tolerant and can survive hot summers. Some of them are also good flyers and can escape predators and roost in trees.
Raising and caring for gold chicken breeds is not very different from raising and caring for other chicken breeds. However, there are some specific tips and considerations that you should keep in mind to ensure the health and happiness of your gold chicken breeds. Some of these are:
Housing: Provide your gold chicken breeds with a spacious and secure coop that can protect them from predators, weather, and diseases. Make sure the coop has adequate ventilation, lighting, bedding, nesting boxes, and roosting bars. Clean the coop regularly and remove any droppings, feathers, and litter.
Feeding: Provide your gold chicken breeds with a balanced and nutritious diet that can meet their needs and preferences. Make sure the feed contains enough protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Provide fresh and clean water at all times and supplement the feed with treats, greens, and grit.
Health: Monitor your gold chicken breeds for any signs of illness, injury, or parasites. Check their eyes, ears, beaks, combs, wattles, feathers, legs, and vents. Treat any wounds, infections, or infestations promptly and consult a veterinarian if needed. Vaccinate your gold chicken breeds against common poultry diseases and deworm them regularly.
Handling: Handle your gold chicken breeds with care and respect. Avoid grabbing, squeezing, or chasing them. Use gentle and calm movements and speak softly and soothingly. Reward your gold chicken breeds with treats, praise, and affection. Socialize your gold chicken breeds with other chickens and humans from an early age.
Gold Chicken Breeds Facts, History and Origin
Gold chicken breeds are a group of breeds with a golden color pattern, caused by a gene that affects melanin distribution. The gold gene can be mixed with other genes to create different feather shapes, sizes, and patterns.
Gold chicken breeds have an ancient history, originating in Asia and Europe. Some of the oldest breeds are the Golden Phoenix, the Golden Hamburg, and the Golden Campine, valued for their beauty and white eggs. Later breeds were created by crossing or selecting for certain traits, such as the Golden Leghorn and the Golden Comet.
Gold chicken breeds are widespread and adaptable. Some breeds are cold-hardy, like the Golden Laced Wyandotte and the Golden Brahma, while others are heat-tolerant, like the Golden Polish and the Golden Cuckoo Marans. Some breeds are good foragers, like the Golden Duckwing and the Golden Sebright, while others are friendly, like the Buff Orpington and the Gold Star.
Gold Chicken Breeds vs. Other Colors
Gold chicken breeds have some advantages and disadvantages compared to other colors of chickens. One of the main advantages is their aesthetic appeal, as many people find gold chicken breeds to be attractive and eye-catching. Gold chicken breeds can also add variety and diversity to your flock, as they come in different shades and patterns of gold. Some gold chicken breeds are also known for their high egg production, such as the Golden Comet and the Gold Star, which can lay up to 300 eggs per year.
However, gold chicken breeds also have some drawbacks that you should be aware of. One of the main disadvantages is their visibility, as gold chicken breeds can stand out from their surroundings and attract predators. Gold chicken breeds can also be more susceptible to parasites and diseases, as their feathers can harbor dirt and bacteria. Some gold chicken breeds are also more aggressive or flighty, such as the Golden Phoenix and the Golden Campine, which can make them harder to handle and manage.
Gold and silver chicken breeds have different color patterns due to different genes. The gold gene makes the feathers more yellow and red, while the silver gene makes them more black and white.
The feathers also have different markings, such as lacing, penciling, spangling, or barring, depending on the breed. For instance, the Golden Laced Wyandotte has black laces on gold feathers, while the Silver Laced Wyandotte has the opposite.
Gold chicken breeds are more common, popular, and varied than silver chicken breeds, which are more rare, niche, and uniform.
Gold Chicken Breeds Egg Production, Size and Egg Color
Gold chicken breeds have different levels of egg production, size, and color, depending on the breed and the individual. Some of the factors that affect these characteristics are:
The type of chicken: Large fowl tend to produce more eggs, have larger sizes, and have lighter colors than bantams.
The origin of the chicken: European and Asian breeds tend to produce fewer eggs, have smaller sizes, and have darker colors than American and African breeds.
The purpose of the chicken: Layers tend to produce more eggs, have medium sizes, and have various colors than meat birds or ornamental birds. Some examples of gold chicken breeds with their egg production, size, and color are:
Gold Chicken Breeds
Egg Production (per year)
Size (lbs)
Egg Color
Golden Leghorn
280
4-6
White
Golden Phoenix
160
3-5
Cream or Tinted
Golden Laced Wyandotte
200
6-8
Light to Rich Brown
Golden Duckwing
180
4-6
Tinted
Golden Penciled
150
3-5
White
Golden Spangled
170
4-6
White
Bearded Golden
140
2-4
White
Golden Polish
120
3-5
White
Buff Orpington
220
7-10
Brown
Rhode Island Red
260
6-8
Brown
Golden Comet
300
5-7
Brown
Golden Campine
180
4-6
White
Golden Sebright
100
1-2
Cream
Golden Brahma
140
8-12
Brown
Golden Hamburg
200
3-5
White
Golden Lakenvelder
160
4-6
White to Tinted
Golden Cuckoo Marans
180
6-8
Brown
Conclusion
Gold chicken breeds are a diverse and fascinating group of chickens that have many benefits and challenges for poultry enthusiasts. They are beautiful, productive, and varied, but they also require more attention, care, and protection. Gold chicken breeds are suitable for different purposes and preferences, depending on the breed and the individual. Gold chicken breeds are a great choice for anyone who loves chickens and wants to add some color and variety to their flock.
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What are golden chickens called? Golden chickens are Golden Comet chickens, a breed hybrid also known as Golden Buff, Red Star, Cinnamon Queen, and Gold Sex-Link. They are bred for the commercial egg market in the USA from strains of Rhode Island Red roosters, such as New Hampshires or Cherry Eggers, mated with White Rock or Rhode Island White hens.
What is a golden Deathlayer chicken? A Golden Phoenix chicken is an ornamental chicken breed with unknown origin. It is renowned for its stunning and intricate golden plumage. Their feathers display a rich golden hue with red and brown accents.
What is the rarest chicken? The rarest chicken in the world is the Ameraucana, a breed native to Chile and Argentina. They are known for their colorful feathers and unique comb shape.
How much is a golden chicken worth? A golden chicken can be worth a lot of money depending on the breed, quality, and demand. For example, a Golden Phoenix chicken can cost around $200 to $300 per hen.
What chicken is bright gold or silver? A bright gold chicken can be either a Golden Comet chicken or a Golden Phoenix chicken, depending on the breed and the feather color. The Golden Comet chicken has red-brown feathers interspersed with some white, while the Golden Phoenix chicken has a rich golden hue with red and brown accents.
Where does golden chicken come from? A golden chicken can come from different regions and cultures, but one of the most popular golden breeds in the US is the Golden Leghorn, a very hardy white-egg laying breed that has been popular since the 19th century.
