If you’re ready to dive into backyard chicken keeping, choosing the best backyard chickens can make all the difference. Whether you’re dreaming of daily fresh eggs or a more self-sufficient lifestyle, starting with the right hens is key. In this video, you’ll get a real-life look at some of the most beginner-friendly chicken breeds, along with honest insights on their personalities, egg-laying habits, and how they fit into a thriving homestead.
In this episode of Epic Homesteading, Kevin takes you inside his thriving backyard chicken setup to share everything a beginner needs to know about choosing the best backyard chickens and beginner chicken breeds. If you’ve recently decided to raise chickens—perhaps inspired by one of his earlier videos—this deep dive into popular, beginner-friendly breeds will help you make confident decisions for your own flock.
Kevin starts by discussing the difference between hybrid breeds and heritage breeds, explaining how modern hybrids are often bred for fast growth and high productivity, while heritage breeds offer stability, natural reproduction, and charming quirks. You’ll meet several of his current hens, including the cuddly and docile Buff and Lavender Orpingtons, the stylish and independent Cream Legbar, the dependable and highly productive Rhode Island Red, and the flashy but occasionally loud Gold and Silver Laced Wyandottes.
Throughout the video, Kevin offers valuable insight into each breed’s personality, egg-laying capacity, tendency to go broody, and compatibility with children or small backyard spaces. You’ll learn which breeds are best for high egg production, which are more ornamental or cuddly, and which ones might be a little extra feisty during snack time. He also shares real-life anecdotes—like how his hen Butta went broody for a month, and how Rufio the Cream Legbar defies her breed’s typical egg color traits.
As the flock expands, Kevin previews the four new hens joining the group: the ultra-productive Black Australorp, the massive but gentle Buff Brahma, a regal Jubilee Orpington, and a beautiful Splash Laced Wyandotte. He even invites viewers to help him name these newcomers—offering a few humorous ground rules for name suggestions.
Packed with helpful comparisons, breed-specific pros and cons, and lots of chicken personality, this video is a must-watch for anyone starting a backyard flock. Whether you’re looking for the best egg-laying breeds, low-maintenance hens, or simply want to get to know your options, Kevin’s approachable style and in-the-coop experience make this an entertaining and educational guide to building your flock the right way.
