Floof Alert! 15 Adorable Fuzzy-Headed Chickens
Poultry or chickens are many in type, depending on the breed of the chicken being reared. Some breeds are most easily recognizable by their furry or crested heads, and their cuteness and exotic look can be easily explained. Whether you are a hobby farmer, a home poultry keeper, or a simple poultry lover, you will learn about 15 Chicken Breeds with Fuzzy Heads in this guide. These breeds set themselves apart in appearance and have various temperaments, laying abilities, and other qualities.
1. Polish Chicken
Overview
Among fuzzy-headed chickens, the Polish chicken breed is probably the most famous. Their crowns are never small, and they can resemble a well-placed hat, making them stand out in a group of birds.
Characteristics
- Crest of Feathers: Enormous crest that can sometimes obscure their vision.
- Variety of Colors: Available in many color variations, including white, black, and golden.
- Docile and Friendly: Known for their gentle and calm nature.
- Extra Care Required: Needs regular maintenance to keep their head feathers clean and healthy.
2. Silkie Chicken
Overview
Silkie Chickens are a favorite among backyard poultry enthusiasts due to their incredibly soft and fluffy feathers that resemble fur more than typical chicken feathers. Originating from China, these chickens are unique in both appearance and temperament.
Characteristics
- Fluffy Feathers: Feathers have a unique texture that resembles fur.
- Calm Temperament: Very gentle and friendly, making them great pets.
- Brooding Ability: Excellent brooders, often used to hatch other chickens’ eggs.
- Variety of Colors: Come in colors such as white, black, blue, and partridge.
3. Houdan Chicken
Overview
Originating in France, the Houdan chicken can be easily identified by the hood of feathers on the head and the beard-like appendages on the cheeks. They are wakefulness and are ever watching; this makes them rather amusing birds.
Characteristics
- Crest and Muffs: Prominent crest and feathered muffs.
- Medium Size: These chickens are medium-sized, suitable for various farm setups.
- White Eggs: Lay decent-sized white eggs.
- Curious Personality: Known for being alert and inquisitive.
4. Sultan Chicken
Overview
Sultan chicken, also called Serai Taook, is an ornamental bird with a majestic appearance. These birds are steady and stately and best suited for display.
Characteristics
- Large Crest: Big, fluffy crest of feathers on their head.
- Feathered Feet: Feathers extend down to their feet.
- Docile Nature: Very calm and friendly birds.
- Ornamental: Primarily kept for their beauty rather than egg production.
5. Appenzeller Spitzhauben
Overview
This breed is of Swiss origin, and the bird has rose-comb wattles and A V-shaped white crest on its head. Appenzeller Spitzhaubens are indeed playful and are considered to be rather smart birds.
Characteristics
- V-Shaped Crest: Unique V-shaped white crest.
- Rose-Comb: Characteristic rose-comb wattles.
- Active Birds: Very energetic and require space to roam.
- White Eggs: Known for laying white eggs.
6. Paduan Chicken
Overview
Paduan chickens are bred in Italy and are characterized by beautiful plumage and a special crest of feathers resting on the head’s side. They are also very good layers.
Characteristics
- Side Crest: The crest falls to the side, giving a distinct look.
- Docile: Calm and friendly temperament.
- Good Layers: Known for decent egg production.
- Variety of Colors: Available in several color varieties.
7. La Fleche Chicken
Overview
La Fleche chickens are characterized by a walnut-shaped comb on the head and a beard of feathers around the beak. This French breed is both resilient and profitable.
Characteristics
- Walnut-Shaped Comb: Unique comb shape.
- Beard of Feathers: Feathers under the beak.
- Hardy: Very resilient and adaptable to different climates.
- Good Layers: Known for consistent egg production.
8. Faverolles Chicken
Overview
Faverolles is another French chicken breed with muffs and beards. They are friendly birds and especially good egg-layers.
Characteristics
- Muffs and Beards: Distinctive facial feathers.
- Light Brown Eggs: Consistent layers of light brown eggs.
- Friendly: Known for their docile and friendly nature.
- Dual-Purpose: Suitable for both eggs and meat.
9. Crèvecoeur Chicken
Overview
The Crèvecoeur chicken is a French breed with a large, prominent crest and a beard under its beak. These birds are calm and have good layers.
Characteristics
- Large Crest: Prominent crest that stands out.
- Beard of Feathers: Additional feathering under the beak.
- Docile: Known for their gentle disposition.
- Good Layers: Lay a decent number of eggs.
10. Barnevelder Chicken
Overview
Barnevelder chickens are native to the Netherlands. These birds have brilliant, shiny feathers and feathered muffs on the cheeks. They are good layers and sociable birds.
Characteristics
- Feathered Muffs: Small muffs on the cheeks.
- Brown Eggs: Lay beautiful brown eggs.
- Friendly Nature: Calm and sociable birds.
- Beautiful Plumage: Often have stunning laced feather patterns.
11. Brahma Chicken
Overview
Brahma chickens are large and stately birds with feathered mustaches on their faces and feathered legs. They are known to be quiet and good layering birds.
Characteristics
- Feathered Muffs and Legs: Distinctive feathering.
- Large Size: One of the larger chicken breeds.
- Brown Eggs: Consistent layers of brown eggs.
- Docile: Gentle giants, very friendly.
12. Scotch Grey Chicken
Overview
The Scotch Grey Chicken is categorized under the Scottish breed known to be hardy and productive. These chickens have been raised due to their dual-purpose characteristics for ages.
Characteristics
- Small Crest: Subtle crest on the head.
- Hardy: Very resilient and adaptable to different environments.
- White Eggs: Reliable layers of white eggs.
- Active Birds: Energetic and need space to roam.
13. Kraienkoppe Chicken
Overview
The Kraienkoppe Chicken, or the Twentse, is a Dutch breed of chicken with distinct plumage and a satisfactory production rate. These chickens are widely used in Europe for production and ornamental purposes.
Characteristics
- Feathered Muffs and Beard: Distinct facial feathering.
- Brown Eggs: Consistent layers of brown eggs.
- Docile Nature: Calm and friendly.
- Hardy: Resilient and adaptable.
14. Naked Neck Chicken
Overview
The naked neck chicken, also called the Turken, is an interesting breed of poultry in terms of looks. It has no feathers on its neck and head, but there are tufts of feathers on its crown and beside its eyes. It is not completely fuzzy-headed, but it looks unique enough to get it on this list.
Characteristics
- Featherless Neck and Head: Very distinct look.
- Crest Feathers: Feathers around the crest and eyes.
- Hardy: Adaptable to various climates.
- White Eggs: Reliable layers of white eggs.
15. Frizzle Chicken
Overview
Frizzle chickens are special types of chickens with feathers that curl, hence the name. Some Frizzles may also have this characteristic on their head feathers, contributing to their uniqueness.
Characteristics
- Curly Feathers: Outward curling feathers.
- Docile: Very friendly and calm.
- Decent Layers: Known for reasonable egg production.
- Variety of Colors: Available in several color varieties.
Read Also: Do Chickens Urinate? A Comprehensive Guide
Final Words
Buying a fuzzy-headed chicken will make your flock lovely, and each chicken is an individual with a specific character. These breeds also have features in feathering, behavior, and production of eggs and chicks. If you have a preference for ornamental birds or if you’re in search of the best layer, the fuzzy-headed breed is just for you.