Hobby Farms Pickin’ Poultry: Choose The Right Birds For Your Farm Meat chickens? Layers? Attractive yard birds to turn the neighbors' heads? Make sure you choose the right poultry for your farm needs to avoid problems down the road. 2.9K views PHOTO: Engin/Pexels There are hundreds of chicken breeds in the world—a staggering number when you think of their humble beginnings as the Red Junglefowl. Around 90 breeds are accessible to the backyard owner, but if you throw in other types of poultry such as geese, ducks and turkeys, the choice is almost endless. The common first reaction is to pick the breed that catches your eye. And who can blame you? A coop full of Seabrights or Polish would make a pretty picture, as would a pond full of ducks.