The chicken breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association are listed in the American Standard of Perfection. They are categorized into classes: standard-sized breeds are grouped by type or by place of origin, while bantam breeds are classified according to type or physical characteristics.
The large breeds are divided into six classes – American, Asiatic, Continental, English, Mediterranean, and All Other Standard Breeds – largely according to their place of origin.
The American Class contains thirteen breeds which originated in Canada or the United States. All are heavy breeds, and most lay brown eggs; most are cold-hardy:[1]
These three breeds originate in China; they are large, feather legged, and lay brown eggs:
This group consists of eleven breeds from Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. They are mostly sprightly birds, the Faverolles being an exception:
This class consists of five breeds from the United Kingdom and one from Australia:
These breeds originating in Italy and Spain have white earlobes and tend to be productive layers of white eggs. In general they are flighty, and exceptional free-range birds, with both evasion and foraging skills:
Other breeds are grouped in this class, which has three subclasses: Game, Oriental, and Miscellaneous. The Game subclass includes the non-oriental game birds, the Oriental subclass includes mainly birds from Asia; the Cubalaya, however, is from Cuba. The Miscellaneous subclass holds the remaining breeds.
Bantams are grouped according to type or physical appearance into six classes:
This class consists solely of the Modern Game bantam.
The Game class includes the remaining game bantams:
This class contains all the bantam breeds with a single comb, excluding the game bantams:
This class groups breeds with both a rose comb and featherless legs:
The breeds of this class have feathering on their legs and feet:
This class includes all of the breeds that do not fall into any of the other classes: