There is a great deal of confusion and conflicting arguments around what exactly constitutes a heritage breed, and there are different definitions in the United States versus the rest of the world.
In most cases, heritage breeds are the best options for your homestead. The chicken breeds that you choose to raise will depend on many factors, from egg production to temperament, meat production, or even appearance, and you’ll first need to be clear on what your purpose is for the chickens that you intend to raise. If you are looking to raise chickens in your backyard, there is an astounding variety of different chicken breeds to choose from.