Backyard Beauties! 15 Breathtaking Chicken Breeds
Chickens are more than just a source of eggs and meat; they can also be stunningly beautiful creatures that bring joy and charm to any backyard. Here are 15 unique and beautiful chicken breeds that stand out not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their fascinating histories and distinctive characteristics.
1. Silkie
Overview
Silkies are one of the most beloved ornamental chicken breeds, known for their fluffy plumage that feels like silk or satin. They have black skin, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, which is unusual for chickens.
Origin
Silkies originated in Asia, with historical records indicating their presence in China over a thousand years ago. They were introduced to the Western world by Marco Polo, who mentioned “furry chickens” during his travels in Asia.
Cause of Beauty
The beauty of Silkie is the individuality, softness, and fluffiness of their feathers which have a fur-like appearance. They are famous for being pets and show birds due to their sweet temperament as well as stunning appearance.
2. Polish
Overview
Other characteristics that are associated with Polish chickens include the crest of feathers that they possess on their heads, which resemble a pom-pom or helmet. They are available in different colors such as black, white, and golden colors.
Origin
The lineage of the breed is somewhat obscure, but it is believed that Polish chickens originated from Eastern Europe either the Netherlands or Poland in the 16th century.
Cause of Beauty
Polish chicken is the pride of this bird which comes in the form of a feather crest. They are easily identified from other birds and are commonly used in poultry shows.
3. Ayam Cemani
Overview
Ayam Cemani is an Indonesian chicken breed with peculiar black skin, black feathers, black beak, and even black internal organs. It is indeed a wonder that such a peculiar type of chicken exists.
Origin
The Ayam Cemani chicken breed hails from Indonesia, they have been regarded as special and even magical birds that possess the powers of healing.
Cause of Beauty
The Ayam Cemani exotic characteristic is the unique black color of its plumage and its rarity in the market. Due to their rare looks, people who breed chickens as pets prefer having these birds.
4. Sebright
Overview
Sebrights are bantams and have a special type of feathering called lacing. The edges of each feather are trimmed in a different color, and the pattern resembles lace. It is available in the gold and silver options.
Origin
The Sebright breed originated in England back in the 19th century when Sir John Sebright wanted to establish a fancy-looking bantam breed.
Cause of Beauty
Sebright has beautiful feathers which are uniquely entwined with very delicate lacework. They are generally small in size and beautifully designed, thus used mostly for aesthetic value.
5. Cochin
Overview
Cochins are large fowls characterized by a profuse amount of feathers on the body, legs, and feet. They are friendly and calm creatures similar to gentle behemoths.
Origin
Cochins are from China and were brought into Europe in the mid-1800s. It did not take long for them to become highly popular due to their magnificent size and excellent feathering.
Cause of Beauty
Like its spacious-shaped body, the bird has luxurious and rich feathers all over its body. Their feathered legs and composed demeanor are quite distinctive and make them rather cute.
6. Frizzle
Overview
Frizzles are not a specific breed of chicken but simply chickens with a genetic disorder that makes the tips of the feathers curl outwards.
Origin
The frizzle feathering can be observed in birds of different breeds, and the history of its emergence is still a mystery. However, it should be noted that Frizzle chickens have been domesticated in Europe and Asia for many centuries.
Cause of Beauty
Frizzle chickens have some remarkable curled feathers that make them look quite peculiar. Because of this, their unique looks are preferred by chicken lovers.
7. Sumatra
Overview
Sumatras are graceful chickens that have beautiful long silky tails like those of a pheasant. It is a bird that is well known for their black shiny feathers on their body.
Origin
Sumatras were bred from the Indonesian island of Sumatra and were first utilized in cockfighting but later on for breeding for display.
Cause of Beauty
Another distinctive physical feature of the Sumatra is the striking black plumage with an iridescent sheen and a very long tail. Their appearance is exotic and sets them apart from other poultry breeds when they are outgrazing.
8. Brahma
Overview
Brahmas are large sturdy chickens with hackles on their legs and feet. They enjoy a very peaceful disposition and are fairly large compared to other chicken breeds.
Origin
Brahmas were created in the United States in the mid-1800s and were created from large fowl imported from China and India.
Cause of Beauty
Beauty in the Brahma is its small size and feathering. Their size and having feathers on their feet make them royal-looking birds in any group.
9. Faverolles
Overview
Faverolles are dual-purpose chickens who are characterized by their facial features such as beards, muffs, and feathered legs. They are available in several variants of colors although the most common one is salmon color.
Origin
Faverolles originated in France in the village of Faverolles at the end of the 19th century. It was used primarily for both meat production and egg laying.
Cause of Beauty
The attractiveness of Faverolles is in their beard, muffs, and the feathers on their legs making them look unique and cute.
10. Ameraucana
Overview
Ameraucanas are medium size chickens and they are special because they lay blue eggs. They have muffs, beards, and a pea comb, they are of different colors.
Origin
Ameraucanas were created from Araucana chickens in the USA, in the 1970s, even though Araucana chickens originated from South America.
Cause of Beauty
The most distinguishing features of the Ameraucana breed are that they are facially feathered and have attractive colors. They also lay colored blue eggs which makes them even more attractive.
11. Wyandotte
Overview
Wyandotte chicken is a hardy bird of medium size and is dual-purpose with striking, laced feathering. They are available in many different coloring patterns and include: silver-laced, gold-laced, and blue.
Origin
The Wyandotte chicken breed was created in the United States around the post-civil War period and is named after the Wyandot indigenes.
Cause of Beauty
Wyandotte feathers are very attractive especially because the lacing on them works very intricately to give a unique look. The fact they are eye-catching and functional makes them ideal, especially for those people who rear chickens in the backyard.
12. Marans
Overview
Marans are medium-sized birds that are well known for their dark brown-colored shelled eggs. They exist in many color options, although Black Copper Marans can be considered dominant.
Origin
Marans along with a few other breeds were developed in the town of Marans in France in the late 1800’s. Situated for both meat production as well as egg production.
Cause of Beauty
Marans for example have a thick brown appearance which is a beauty that is complemented by the color of the eggs. These characteristic features make them even more charming because of their rather solid construction and tasteful look.
13. Orpington
Overview
Orpingtons are big chickens par excellence that are well known for their downy appearance. It has varieties of different colors such as buff color, black color, blue color, and white color.
Origin
It is an English poultry breed produced from William Cook’s intention of establishing the best dual-purpose bird.
Cause of Beauty
The Orpington’s elegance is found in its round, abundant feathering and calm temperament. Because of their smooth, plump look, they are desired and are often used to be raised at home.
14. Phoenix
Overview
Phoenix chickens have extra-long tail feathers which can be as long as several feet in length. They are rather slim and look graceful.
Origin
The Phoenix breed was created in Germany at the end of the 19th century on the base of the Japanese Onagadori breed distinguished by really long tail coverts.
Cause of Beauty
This creature is beautiful and compared to the mythological bird called Phoenix its beauty is in its long tail feathers. This is another reason that contributes to their uniqueness and keeps them quite noticeable.
15. Hamburg
Overview
Hamburgs are small, lively birds characterized by beautiful and elegant patterns on their feathers. It is originally offered in two color options, silver-spangled and golden-penciled.
Origin
This breed was native to Europe, and there is proof of its existence in periods as early as the Fourteen Century in the Netherlands and Germany.
Cause of Beauty
This beauty is in the different patterns on their feathers and the skinny structures of the hamburg. This makes them lively birds and Brings joy whenever they are added to the rest of the flock of birds or other animals.
Read Also: 15 Big Fluffy Chicken Breed
Final Words
Of all the poultry birds, chickens can appropriately be described as more than just animals of utility they are also lovely pets for any homestead or farm. The Guide to 15 Stunning and Adorable Chicken Breeds has some of the most adorable livestock which is usually ignored but they are awesome. If you have been keeping poultry for years or again beginning with some chickens, you will find that these breeds take you through the world of fancier poultry.
