12 breeds
Largest chicken breeds
Some chickens are the size of a house cat and twice as calm. The heavyweights of the coop are surprisingly gentle, cold-hardy by sheer mass, and impossible not to name.
1Jersey Giant🌱9–11 lbs · Mellow gentle giantUnited States2Brahma🌱9–10 lbs · Gentle and docileUnited States3Cochin🌱8–9 lbs · Exceptionally docileChina4Australorp🌱6.5–8 lbs · Gentle and calmAustralia5Buff Orpington🌱7–8 lbs · Affectionate and docileEngland6Langshan🌱7–8 lbs · Calm and dignifiedChina7Barred Plymouth Rock🌱6.5–7.5 lbs · Friendly and easygoingUnited States8Chantecler🌱6.5–7.5 lbs · Calm and gentleCanada9Java🌱6.5–7.5 lbs · Calm and self-reliantUnited States10Minorca6.5–7.5 lbs · Active and watchfulSpain11Russian Orloff6–7.5 lbs · Calm and quietRussia12Salmon Faverolles🌱6–7.5 lbs · Comically sweet and chattyFrance
How this list is built: Breeds whose hens top out around 7.5 lbs or more, ranked heaviest first. It updates automatically as we add breeds — no hand-picking.
Keep exploring
New to this? Raising Backyard Chickens for Beginners: The Complete Starter Guide walks you through it. Or browse all 50 breed profiles.
Found your breed? Track your flock.
PoultryPal gives every bird a profile — breed, eggs, hatches, and expenses — so you can see which hens actually earn their feed. Free on iOS and Android.
