5 Chicken Breeds You May Not Be Familiar With

Like many animals around the world, there are probably more recognized chicken breeds out there than the average person realizes. You may be familiar with the classics and most popular ones that can be found at your local agriculture depot, but what about the more uncommon ones? Here are five chicken breeds you may not have encountered before:

1. Sultan

Have you ever encountered a crested chicken? Silkies are some of the most popular, but let’s get to know more about another breed in this category. The Sultan chicken originally comes from Turkey, where it is better known as Serai Taook, which roughly translates to ‘Fowl of the Sultans.’ We can’t know for sure, but legend has it that these birds were originally used as living ornaments in the gardens of the Sultan’s palace. Consequently, they aren’t the best egg producers. You may be able to get 50 eggs out of them in a year, which is minimal compared to other egg-laying breeds like the Rhode Island Red (who can produce around 250 eggs per year).

Nevertheless, this pure white bird with its slate-blue shanks and toes and crested head is definitely a conversation starter, and it’s slowly developing a reputation for being a good option for urban homesteaders due to its small size and docile temperament.

See more: How to Get Started Raising Backyard Chickens

2. La Flèche

French speakers will know that this breed’s name translates to ‘the arrow,’ a description that refers either to the bird’s arrow-like shape of its comb or the French region where the breed originated, which goes by the same name. The village of La Flèche is east of Paris and was given this name in honor of the arrow that killed their patron saint. History suggests this chicken’s lineage traces back to the fifth century, but they didn’t arrive in the United States until the 1850s.

See more: How to Start Homesteading in a Small Space

As far as appearances are concerned, La Flèche chickens are medium-sized birds with black feathers, white earlobes and that characteristically distinct-looking comb in the shape of an arrow. Even though they look small, they are hardy and heavy, weighing up to 8 pounds. These birds have a reputation in Europe for their tender, juicy meat and large breasts.

3. Old English Pheasant Fowl

Known as an excellent all-rounder, Old English Pheasant Fowl could be a wonderful addition to your flock – if you can find a breeder in your area, that is. They lay around 160 to 200 white eggs per year, have meaty breasts, and do best in free-range conditions due to their flighty nature and foraging habits. Even though they may seem a touch more high-maintenance than your average backyard bird, they are also incredibly hardy in cold weather, are docile when it comes to breeding, and have a surprisingly long lifespan for poultry.

Old English Pheasant Fowl come in two primary colors: gold and silver. The silver birds are much rarer, but each color variety boasts a black crescent at the end of its feathers. They have slate legs and feet, white earlobes, and a rose comb, and many people believe they were named for their resemblance to pheasants.

See more: 5 Chicken Breeds That Are Perfect for Beginners

4. Burmese Bantam

If you want a flock that will keep you smiling, you might want to explore the possibility of acquiring a few Burmese Bantams. These birds originate from Myanmar and were believed to be nearly extinct in the early 20th century. Even though they are still considered difficult to find today, enthusiasts stepped up to the plate and crossbred the remaining birds with other varieties like the Bearded d’Uccle, Crevecoeur Cochin and Japanese Bantam to slowly revive and re-create the breed.

Burmese Bantams have a single comb, red earlobes and vibrant yellow legs, as well as a smattering of foot feathers and the occasional beard. Most of these birds boast white feathers, but you can occasionally find them in other colors. The females lay a decent number of eggs and are known for their quiet and friendly personalities, making them a potentially good addition to your homestead if you’re able to find them in your area.

5. Onagadori

Perhaps one of the most elegant looking birds on the market, the Onagadori is a heritage breed from Japan known for its exceptionally long tail. They are believed to have been bred in the 17th century on one of the southern islands and were designated a Japanese National Natural Treasure in the early 1950s.

Despite their lengthy tails, which give them a larger-than-life appearance, these birds max out at around 3 to 4 pounds. While they lay light brown eggs, they weren’t originally bred with egg production in mind. Many Japanese chicken breeds were fine-tuned for specific uses, and, unsurprisingly, the Onagadori was earmarked for exhibition rather than utility. There are many varieties of this bird today, ranging from black breast and silver to golden red. They tend to prefer neutral climates and do best with access to shade and heat in the winter.