Informative Speech
Running head: CHICKENS LAST-NAME 0
Chickens and their Eggs
Student Name
Informative Planning Report
SPCH 2713, CRN 633-XX
Dr. Burns
Oklahoma State University
September 2016
CHICKENS LAST-NAME 1
Topic: Chickens
Specific purpose: At the end of my speech, the audience will be able to identify three different
breeds of chickens and name the color of eggs the chickens lay.
Thesis Statement: Chickens are important to our daily lives and serve more than one purpose.
Chickens and their Eggs
I. Introduction
A. Gain Attention
1. [Show image of chicken and egg.] Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
2. Leading behavior psychologist, Abraham Maslow (year) said, “The chicken came
first—God would look silly sitting on an egg” (source, year, page or paragraph #).
B. Establish credibility
1. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been around chickens: my grandpa
taught me how much to feed them, what medicine to give them when they are
sick, and the egg colors that different breeds lay.
2. My name is Full Name; and now, I raise my own chickens from hatch.
C. Audience-topic connection
1. Learning about chickens and other animals is important because you get food
from those animals and you should know what you are eating.
2. Since you chose to attend a former A&M (Agriculture & Mechanical) school,
with a mission to educate the public about agriculture, then you should be
informed, at the very least, on some basic chicken information.
D. Thesis and preview
1. Chickens are important to our daily lives and serve more than one purpose.
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a. They can be a food source.
b. They can also be pets.
2. As the Old Farmer’s Almanac (2016) says, “When raising chickens, the first thing
you will want to do, is choose different breeds of chickens to get. You will want to
consider the number and color of eggs produced” (page number for direct quote).
a. There are many different breeds of chickens.
b. Today, I will be discussing the Ameraucana, the Rhode Island Red, the
Silkie, and their eggs.
Transition to the body of the speech: The first chicken I will talk about is the Ameraucana.
II. Body
A. The Ameraucana chicken has muffs and a beard [show image].
1. History: According to, MyPetChicken.com (2005-2016), the Ameraucana breed
was derived from blue egg laying chickens and their purpose is laying eggs
(“Chicken Breeds”, 2005).
2. Egg Facts: An Ameraucana does not lay normal colored eggs, white or brown,
like most chickens, Ameraucanas lay medium light blue eggs (“Chicken Breeds”,
2005).
3. Egg Color Facts: According to Dorothy Munn (2013), from Michigan State
University Extension Services, “Ameraucana chickens have the pigment
pyocynanin deposited on the egg as it travels through the oviduct” (para. 2).
4. Characteristics: Ameraucanas are a rare medium sized bird, they have a pea
comb, and only four toes.
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Transition to point B: Ameraucanas are great for laying eggs but Rhode Island Reds, a more
common chicken, is also great for laying eggs. They are also great meat birds.
B. The Rhode Island Red is the state bird of Rhode Island [show image].
1. History: According to, MyPetChicken.com (2005-2016), most of the good ones
from this breed are red, the whites’ ones are not as climate hardy as the red. Not
only are these chickens good for laying eggs, but they are valued for their meat
(“Chicken Breeds”, 2005).
2. Egg Facts: Rhode Island Reds lay some of the biggest eggs (XL), the brown eggs
they lay can last up to 5 weeks (“Chicken Breeds”, 2005).
3. Egg Color Facts: Munn (2013) stated, “Chickens that lay brown tinted eggs
deposit the pigment protoporphyrin” (para. #).
4. Characteristics: Rhode Island Reds are typically a heavy bird, they have a single
comb, and only four toes.
Transition to point C: Ameraucana and Rhode Island Reds lay eggs we can actually use;
a silkie, on the other hand, lay their eggs for hatching.
C. The Silkie Bantam is considered a pretty chicken [show image].
1. History: According to, MyPetChicken.com (2005-2016), the silkies purpose is not
for laying eggs, or for their meat, they are ornamental, meaning they are, mostly,
pets. When they do lay eggs, it is for hatching. Silkies are some of the best for
hatching because they have a motherly instinct (“Chicken Breed”, 2005).
2. Egg Facts: Silkies eggs are not usually for eating, but when they lay eggs they are
small, and usually an off white color (“Chicken Breed”, 2005).
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3. Egg Color Facts: Munn (2013) stated, “Other than appearance, there are no major
differences between eggs from different breeds of chickens” (para. #).
4. Characteristics: Silkies are usually small, and fluffy, they have a walnut comb,
feathered legs, and five toes.
Transition to conclusion: Chickens serve many different purposes: they bring food to our
tables and smiles to our faces.
III. Conclusion
A. Summary
1. Thesis: Chickens have different purposes, but each chicken is important.
2. Review main points: Today, I told you that Ameraucanas are rare birds, they
are rare for their light blue colored eggs they lay. Rhode Island Red chickens
are a dual purpose chicken: meat and eggs, they lay brown eggs. The Silkie
Bantams, the fluffy lap chicken, are small birds who don’t really have a
purpose but to make you smile. Silkies are more of a pet, when they lay eggs
they are great brooders and mothers.
B. Closure
1. Signal end: No matter which you see first, the chicken or the egg, you will
now, be able to identify these three chickens when you see them.
2. Motivate audience: You just need to get out there and “scramble” to find
them. I hope that you will investigate more about chickens because, today, we
have just “scratched” the surface.
{audience applause}
Thank you. Now, I would love to hear your comments and questions.
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References
Maslow, A. (n.d.). AZquotes. Retrieved from: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/1237667
Munn, D. (2013, Decemember 27). Why are chicken eggs different colors? Michigan State
University Extension. Retrieved from: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/why_are_
chicken_eggs_different_colors
Chicken breeds. (2005). My Pet Chicken. Retrieved from:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breed-list.aspx
Almanac (2016, March 17). Raising chickens 101: Choosing chicken breeds. Retrieved
from: http://www.almanac.com/blog/home-health/chickens/raising-chickens-101-
choosing-chicken-breeds