Fancy Feather Foot Chickens: 10 Adorable Breeds
In this case, chickens can be of different breeds, and each breed has specific features. Of all these birds, the feather-footed chickens deserve special attention as they have gorgeous flowing plumage on their legs and feet. This guide will provide detailed insights into 10 Fancy Feather Foot Chicken Breeds, each known for its unique appeal and features.
1. Cochin
Overview
Cochins are friendly, large, and have impressive feathering all over their body including the part that covers feet. It is a sweet-tempered bird and popular among those farmers who rear chickens in their backyards, or exhibition breeders.
Origin
The Cochin descended from China and was introduced to Western countries in the mid-19th century. They immediately became popular with the people of England and America due to their distinctive appearance and dimensions.
Features
- Feathering: Cochins are quite feathered, this includes the legs and feet.
- Size: They are big birds and the roosters may even weigh up to 11 pounds while hens weigh up to 8 pounds only.
- Egg Production: They are considered to be average egg producers, which can lay between 150 to 180 light-brown eggs annually.
- Temperament: Cochins are calm friendly birds hence should be kept as family or children’s pets.
2. Brahma
Overview
Brahmas are also large birds with feathered legs and feet. This breed is commonly known as the “King of Chickens,” mainly because of their size and height.
Origin
Brahma chickens began in the United States with birds brought in from China. These were introduced in the 19th century and gained almost instant acceptance for both meat production and egg purposes.
Features
- Feathering: Brahmas have large and heavily feathered shanks which cover their legs and feet.
- Size: Roosters may weigh up to 12 pounds and hens up to 10 pounds.
- Egg Production: They are good layers, which can lay about 150 – 200 jumbo-brown eggs per year.
- Temperament: Brahmas are one of the breeds that are calm and friendly, they are referred to as gentle giants.
3. Faverolles
Overview
Faverolles are a lovely breed that has to appear like beards, muffs, and feathered feet. These are commonly kept for home use and also used in shows because of their look and temperance.
Origin
The Faverolles breed of chickens was developed in the late 1800s in France. They were initially bred in the village of Faverolles and within a short time they were famous for their quality of meat and egg laying.
Features
- Feathering: The body is densely feathered with thick shanks and toes; all birds have beards and muffs.
- Size: Faverolles are constituted average, male mature birds average around 8 lbs and female mature birds around 6 lbs. 5 pounds.
- Egg Production: They are good layers and might give about 180-200 large medium-tinted light brown to pinkish eggs per annum.
- Temperament: Faverolles are docile and social by nature; therefore, they are ideal pets and are also good foragers.
4. Silkies
Overview
Silkies are among the most common ornamental birds recognized for their silk-like plumage and feathered shanks and toes. They are also used as pets and are popular in the showing ring due to their distinguishing features.
Origin
Silkies are thought to have come from Asia. They were first introduced into the Western world through traders and have become a favorite breed globally.
Features
- Feathering: Silkies possess a special coat of feathers or special skin that feels like silk. They too have feathers on their legs and feet.
- Size: They are a bantam breed: roosters – 2-3 pounds, hens – 1 pound.
- Egg Production: Silkies are considered moderate layers which may lay between 100- 120 small cream-colored eggs annually.
- Temperament: They are known to be very calm and friendly and can be taken as pets anywhere especially by families with children.
5. Belgian d’Uccle
Overview
Belgian d’Uccle is a rich typical bantam with feathered shanks and toes that are tippy. They are recognized for their distinct looks and love-friendly nature, thus being one of the most preferred chicken breeds.
Origin
Belgian d’Uccle was bred in the early part of the twentieth century. Originally, they were designed by Michel Van Gelder and have rapidly been adopted due to many people finding them fashionably distinct and compact.
Features
- Feathering: They have dense plumes on their legs and feet; moreover, they are endowed with beards and muffs.
- Size: Belgian muscles are dwarf birds, with roosters averaging around 1 kg in weight.
- Egg Production: They are also moderate egg layers which lay about 100-150 small white-shelled eggs in a year.
- Temperament: This breed of Belgian muscles is friendly and outgoing and, therefore, suitable for petting as well as foraging.
Read Also: When Do Roosters Start Mating?
6. Sultan
Overview
Sultans are considered show birds and have feathered legs and feet, crests, beards, and muffs. They are mostly used for display purposes and as house animals.
Origin
Sultans come from Turkey and were introduced to Europe in mid 19th century. It was considered a symbol of luxury in the Turkey sultanates; they used it as fancy birds for feelings in their palace gardens.
Features
- Feathering: Sultans have good feathers on their legs and toes as well as big and beautiful crests, beards, and muffs.
- Size: They are a bantam breed, with roosters weighing around 2.5 pounds and hens around 1.8 pounds.
- Egg Production: Sultans are light layers, producing around 50-70 small white eggs per year.
- Temperament: This breed is also docile and friendly which makes them good for families and show.
7. Langshan
Overview
They have feathered legs and feet and they are known to be a tall and graceful breed. They are famous for excellent egg-laying and beautiful looks that make them very popular among poultry farmers.
Origin
Langshans are from China and came to the Western world at the end of the 19th century. It has been used for both meat production and egg production and became popular due to its appearance and efficiency.
Features
- Feathering: The legs and feet of Langshans are covered by thick feathering that sets the breed apart from others.
- Size: Roosters can weigh up to 9. 5 pounds for cocks and up to 7 pounds for hens.
- Egg Production: They are good layers being capable of laying about 180-200 large brown eggs annually.
- Temperament: Langshans are docile birds that are quiet, and friendly, and will thrive in a home environment as well as enjoy foraging for food.
8. Booted Bantam
Overview
Booted Bantams or Sabelpoots are small birds, used for ornamental purposes, with feathered legs and feet. They are well known for their attractive looks and sociable disposition, and so are a popular choice for chicken fanciers.
Origin
Booted Bantams were developed in the Netherlands and Germany in the early 1900s. These were meant for exhibition use and became popular soon due to their style and compactness.
Features
- Feathering: They possess heavy feathering on their legs and feet, which provides them with a unique appearance.
- Size: Booted Bantams are dwarf breeds and the roosters rarely exceed 1 pound in weight. 6 pounds and hens around 1 pound of food each day.
- Egg Production: They are moderate layers, with the ability to lay 100-150 small white eggs per year.
- Temperament: The Booted Bantams are friendly animals, thus, good pets and good for foraging.
9. Pekin Bantam
Overview
Pekin Bantams, or Cochin Bantams, are small nature birds with feathered legs and feet. They possess friendly dispositions and have a beautiful look which makes them preferred by the packagers of chickens for backyard breeding and fanciers.
Origin
Pekin Bantams are thought to have originated in China and were first introduced in the Western world in the late 1800s. These were bred for both meat and egg production and shortly became popular for their appearance and small stature.
Features
- Feathering: Another major characteristic of Pekin Bantams is that they possess dense feathering on their legs and feet.
- Size: They are a bantam breed, with roosters weighing around 2 pounds and hens around 1.5 pounds.
- Egg Production: They lay between 100-150 numbers small cream-white eggs per year.
- Temperament: Pekin Bantams are known for their calm and friendly nature, making them excellent pets and great for families with children.
10. Mille Fleur d’Uccle
Overview
The Mille Fleur d’Uccle is one of the pretty and colorful Bantam that has feathered legs and feet. Altogether, they are characterized by their peculiar appearance and friendly disposition, which is often appreciated by poultry lovers.
Origin
The Mille Fleur d’Uccle breed can be traced back to the early twentieth century, in Belgium. These were designed by Michel Van Gelder and soon became popular mainly for the distinctive appearance of the shoes and the fact that they were compact.
Features
- Feathering: These birds have well-developed feathers on their legs and feet and have facets of beards and muffs.
- Size: Mille Fleur d’Uccles are small birds, with cocks about 1½ kg. 6 pounds and hens around 1.3 pounds.
- Egg Production: They are medium producers, laying approximately 100-150 white, tiny eggs annually.
- Temperament: Mille Fleur muscles are docile birds and interact well with people they are great companions and enthusiastic foragers.
Read Also: How Much Space Do Chickens Need?
Final Words
Feather-footed chicken breeds are versatile and also bring an added beauty to any chicken pond. Due to their coloration that spreads through their legs to their feet, they present special features that interest those who keep chickens in their backyards and also the breeders who rear them for show. These 10 fancy feather-foot chicken breeds will provide you with a good range of characteristics depending on what you are looking for; production, friendly demeanor, or beauty.
