Chickens can be really amusing creatures to have running around a garden or yard. They are always busy doing something or other, chasing flies or scratching at the dirt. But they are creatures of habit and have their set routines, when to chase about, when to have a sand bath, when to sprawl out in the sunshine and when to just sit on a perch and kick back watching the world go by.
Most people have seen photos of the chickens that supply us with our eggs, but have you ever heard of or seen a Faverolle or maybe a Booted Bantam? Below are 10 exotic and sometimes bizarre looking breeds you may never have seen or even heard of:
These adorable looking chickens have gorgeous puffy beards and tufts on the sides of their faces, reminiscent of Father Christmas. In fact, the festive song, the 12 days of Christmas makes a reference to three French hens which just happen to be the delightful Faverolles.
The chickens are native to France, and they are extremely cute looking with their beards, muffs and feathered feet that boast five toes on each foot, much like another breed called the Silkie. Today, the Faverolle is often favoured by people who love to exhibit their birds and you can spot them at many a poultry or large agricultural show.
Silkies are lovely if a little strange looking creatures. They are well known for their extremely docile temperament. It's thought these chickens originally came from China or other Asian countries and it's a pretty unique breed. It draws its name from its very distinctive plumage which feels just like silk. Silkies also boast strange dark blue coloured skin and earlobes – their bones are the same colour too! Like the Faverolle, Silkies boast five toes on their feet!
This amazing breed of chicken is literally covered from head to toe in feathers – with extremely long ones on their feet! The breed originates from Turkey and have always been considered as an ornamental bird. In days long ago, these great looking chickens were kept by Ottoman sultans in their gardens. Today, the breed is kept very much for the same reason, which is as ornamental show birds.
These curly feathered chickens are really amazing to look at. Their feathers curl away from their bodies. Some chicken fanciers consider this a totally unique breed although some other breeds of chickens can boast curly feathers too but none so striking and unique as the Frizzle!
When you first see this breed of chicken, there doesn't seem to be anything very unusual about them. Then you look a little closer and you suddenly notice their feet! These are covered in long feathers, hence the name Booted. The feathers on their feet are extravagant to say the least, but they are also on the bird's hocks too! They are lovely looking chickens with a gorgeous coloured plumage.
In France there are many lovely breeds of chickens and none so elegant than the “La Fleche”. The breed is very rare today with numbers slowly on the increase due to the dedication of several poultry fanciers both in France and elsewhere in the world. The main characteristic of the chicken is its rather unusual shaped comb which is in the very distinct shape of a V.
This breed is truly extraordinary to look at with its massive feathered crest, it virtually covers the whole of the bird's head! The breed is primarily bred as a show bird but originally, these funny looking creatures were bred and kept as egg laying chickens.
Native to Switzerland, the home of the cuckoo clock and delicious chocolate, the Appenzeller is a remarkable looking chicken. There are two types to the breed, namely the Spitzhauben and the Barthuhner with the first having a very distinctive V-comb while the latter is bearded and boasts a rose comb but does not have a crest. The breed has an amazing spotted plumage and is a very elegant looking bird.
This is another rare breed that originates in the Normandy town of Crevecoeur in France. The breed boasts being one of the oldest French chickens and might even be the ancestor of the La Fleche although this has not been confirmed. The birds have elegant and fine black plumage with a V-shaped comb. They also have amusing looking large feathered crests too. One weird characteristic, is their dark blue/grey coloured legs that look very similar to plastic!
The Arancana are also known as the South American Rumpless chicken. They are gorgeous dainty birds that have funny little beards. They originate from Chile and boast some rather unusual characteristics which includes the fact they lay blue eggs. They also have feathered tufts around their ears and don't have rumps like other chickens – hence their name “the Rumpless chicken”.
