Are you trying to find hen breeds that will make your backyard coop stand out? You are fortunate if so! Some of the most fascinating breeds of chickens with feathers will be featured in this post. These gorgeous, fluffy breeds’ unique appearance will make them “stand out from the crowd.”
These gorgeous chickens with feathers on their feet are a great choice whether you’re searching for new charming feathered pets, fresh eggs for breakfast, excellent chicken meat, or a new addition to your farm. These kinds of chickens have it all—be it meat, eggs, or appearance! They vary in size and color of feathers. Because these chicken varieties were first cultivated in colder locations, their feet have feathers to help keep them warm. To help you choose the type of chicken that you believe would work best for your farm or backyard, we have compiled a list of chicken breeds with feathered feet.
Several different varieties of chickens have feathers on their feet. These chicken breeds vary from one another except for the fact that they have feathered feet. We’ve done a lot of research to compile this list of chicken breeds with feathered feet so you can choose the ones that meet your needs.
Seven Types of Chickens with Feathered Feet
The seven kinds of chickens on our list are all attractive and have unique feathered feet. However, each has distinct qualities of its own, including origin nation, temperament, longevity, weight, color, capacity to lay eggs, meat quality, and poultry show quality. Before selecting the breed of chicken with feathered feet that best suits your needs, continue reading.
1. Brahma
Temperament: Calm
Lifespan: at least eight years
Male: 10 pounds; female: 8 pounds
Dimensions: Large to medium
Color: Buff, dark, or light
Capacity to deposit eggs: 3–4 brown eggs per week
One of the biggest kinds of chickens with feathered feet is the brahma chicken. As a result, they need 12 to 14 square feet apiece, which is more area than typical hens. They are known as gentle giants because of their massive stature and serene demeanor. They love to lie throughout the cooler months (October to May) and do well in colder climes. The Brahma chicken breed, which has feathered feet, has the following traits, in addition to its size and egg-laying schedule:
The Brahma chicken breed is excellent for producing meat;
Despite having strong wings, Brahmas are unable to fly very far because to their weight; they may be readily contained within a fence that is two to three feet high;
It will take you at least five months to figure out their sex;
These fowl stand around thirty inches tall;
Brahma hens sit devotedly on their nests and produce excellent eggs;
Brahmas wander about for the most of the day, which is perfect in an urban environment;
Because it is difficult to determine the feeding ratio, Brahmas do best when fed freely.
Brahmas love to walk around and experience new things, so make sure the coop has adequate room for them. This friendly, feathered-footed species of chicken will provide you superb meat in addition to eggs.
2. Cochin
Origin: China (province of Shanghai)
temperament: serene and calm
Lifespan: ten years or more
Weight: 8.5 lbs for women and 11 lbs for men
Dimensions: Large
25 color variants are available (according to the American Poultry Association, or APA).
Capacity to deposit eggs: two brown eggs per week
The Cochin chickens are big and have fluffy feathers, much like the Brahma. From the side, its bulky construction resembles a large ball of fluff in the form of a heart. This type of chicken loves shade and cool places in the summer and thrives in a chilly region. It has feathered feet and a plump, soft body. In the event that you want to include Cochin chicken breeds in your coop, be aware of the following:
This breed of fluffy chickens is excellent for pets, eggs, and decorative uses (poultry shows);
The cochin’s tail feathers are puffed and have short wings.
They’re not the greatest option when it comes to producing meat;
Cochin chickens are very well-mannered birds that work well in both backyard and agricultural environments;
They dislike wandering about and are a little sluggish;
Cochin would rather be fed than scrounge about for food;
They exhibit traits of a mother;
When a cochin is eight months old, they begin to produce eggs;
Keep an eye on their weight as they tend to gain weight and produce fewer eggs;
They are an excellent option for an urban environment since they are among the quietest breeds.
To protect their feathery feet from frostbite, be sure to keep them in dry areas. Despite their indifference to the cold, keep them dry and away from damp puddles. If you’re seeking for gentle, perfect flock mates, the Cochin breed is an excellent choice.
3. Silkie
Origin: China or Japan; some people choose India
Friendly and docile temperament; lifespan of seven to eight years
Male (2–3 pounds) / Female (1–5 pounds)
Dimensions: Minimal
Color: The American Poultry Association (APA) recognizes eight colors.
Egg-laying capacity: two to three creamy to colored eggs each week
The chicken’s silky, fluffy feathers are the source of the Silkie moniker. In addition to its silky feathers, this chicken breed has five toes instead of four, and black skin and bones underneath them. These are intriguing characteristics.
The Silkie has the following traits and is much smaller than the Brahma and Cochin:
The Silkie requires little upkeep and is simple to groom;
They like rummaging freely, however you should be aware of any predators;
They are excellent indoor/flat pets since they are quiet;
Friendly breeds get along well with the Silkie breed;
Silkies like socializing with humans and cuddling;
They are usually used for stocks and soups since they are tiny and bony;
In your backyard or on a farm, each Silkie will need 4 square feet of room;
Since they are unable to fly, it is preferable to set the nests on the ground or just above it.
Their beautiful, soft feathers don’t shield them from inclement weather. Because their feathers do not prevent them from soaking, in a rainy area make sure they have access to dry and warm locations. If they become wet, warm them up and dry them off until their body temperature returns to normal.
4. Favorite rolls
Origin nation: France
Mood: vivacious but tender
Duration: 5–7 years
Weight: 5.5 lbs for women and 7 lbs for men
Dimensions: Average in size
White and salmon in color
Egg-laying capacity: three to four pale brown to medium-colored eggs each week
A medium-sized breed of chicken with feathered feet that excels at producing meat and eggs is the Faverolles. The Faverolles chicken breed has characteristics with the Silkie, including having five toes. Their intriguing trapezoid body form gives the impression that they are larger than they really are. These unique characteristics set this breed of chicken with feathered feet apart:
Faverolles chickens are renowned for being excellent caregivers and moms;
The inquisitive and gregarious Faverolles chicken breed gets along with everyone;
They adjust well to both being confined and being free to move around;
They are appropriate for families and novice chicken owners;
You will be warned loudly whenever an unfamiliar animal approaches your chicken coop by the Faverolles;
They are susceptible to lice, therefore often check their legs and beards;
You don’t need tall fences around your coop since they are excellent flyers;
They lay eggs all winter long and mature before other kinds of chickens.
The Faverolles may be the ideal breed of chicken for you if you’re looking for a calm, sociable bird that makes you smile and gets along well with kids. If they are allowed to roam freely, they will be content even in a little backyard. You can get nice meals for a small family and eggs long into the winter with the Faverolles.
5. Sultan
Origin nation: Turkey
Temperament: compliant and serene
Life Expectancy: 5–8 Years
Male (6 pounds) / Female (4 pounds)
Dimensions: Average in size
White in color
Ability to lay eggs: One tiny white egg every seven days
An excellent breed of chicken for an urban environment is the Sultan. The qualities and look of this breed of chicken with feathered feet are distinctive. With feathers covering every part of its body, even its feet, the Sultan is a charming little creature that is ideal for display. This type of chicken also has feathered feet with five toes. There are black and blue Sultan hens as well, even though the Sultan breed is exclusively recognized in white. Before you begin caring for the Sultan chicken breed, take into account the following additional information:
The Sultan chicken breed has a bantam variant;
There is nothing that can be done to improve the Sultan chickens’ low egg-laying abilities;
A new breed would be required if you wanted a consistent egg production;
Sultans are a peaceful, amiable, and easily tamed kind of chicken;
They are excellent pets for an exhibition or garden;
They need decent shelter as well as a green space to run and stretch their legs;
There are few locations on the menu where you may find Sultans since they are on the crucial list;
They should be kept within the coop with a taller fence since they are excellent flyers;
They are susceptible to frostbite if they become wet and dislike the cold.
Make careful to shield your lovely breed of chickens from outside predators if you want to add them to your coop. The Sultans are worthwhile because they make excellent pets and garden decorations, but they do need a lot of care. Together with their wonderful nature and little health problems, they can be a wonderful addition to your flock.
6. Pekin Bantam
Origin nation: China
docile temperament
Life Expectancy: 5–8 Years
Weight: 1.25 lbs for women and 1.5 lbs for men
Dimensions: Minimal
Color: Silver partridge, white, birchen, black, blue, buff, cuckoo, mottled, barred, Columbian, lavender, partridge, and even rarer, highly sought-after hues
Capable of producing two white or cream eggs per week;
The body of the Pekin chicken breed, which has feathered feet, is fairly round, and its stance leans forward. Due to the constant improvement of new color lines by several breeders, the Pekin color spectrum is vast and still expanding. Pekin Bantams have a peaceful demeanor, which makes them great pets. Additionally, this intriguing variety of chicken has the following traits:
If given the right care, Pekin bantam hens are very placid, but the roosters may sometimes be combative and violent in defending their mates and territory;
Pekin Bantam chickens produce less eggs than other hen breeds, yet they are excellent moms and caregivers;
The primary use of Pekin Bantams is as decorative birds;
Their refined appearance makes them a classy addition to any flock;
They belong to one of the world’s smallest breeds of chickens;
Pekin Bantam stands 25 to 30 centimeters tall;
Because they like soaring, make sure the coop has higher perches to keep them content;
For this type of chicken, a small coop—at least two square feet for each Pekin Bantam—is ideal.
This type of chicken with feathered feet is simple to take care of in addition to being attractive. They like receiving additional care and attention from their owners and are peaceful and amiable creatures. Pekin Bantams are wonderful friends if you love and care for them.
7. Bantam Booted
Origin nation: The Netherlands
Calm and quiet temperament
Lifespan: ten years or more
Weight: 1.8 lbs for men and 1.4 lbs for women
Dimensions: Minimal
Color: Twenty hues (albeit only five are officially recognized by the APA) (buff, barred, blue, golden, cuckoo, porcelain, black, and more)
Ability to lay eggs: two petite, creamy white eggs per week
Another little type of chicken with feathered feet that is mainly kept as pets and shown is the booted bantam. If you are thinking of introducing the Booted Bantam chicken breed to your coop, there are a number of fascinating traits you should be aware of:
They need ongoing care and attention and dislike severely cold or hot conditions;
Booted Bantam chickens have a stunning look that makes them ideal for poultry displays;
They work well for little farms;
The eggs are too little, even if the chickens are competent layers;
Bantam chicken with boots adore the sky;
They won’t wake you up early in the morning since they are not loud;
They get along with all adults, children, and dogs of different breeds;
Although it is a distinct breed, the booted bantam is not listed for conservation;
Compared to egg layers, they make superior pets and display birds.
The Booted Bantam is the ideal breed of chicken if you’re searching for a low-laying pet or show chicken!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of different varieties of chickens that have feathered feet. Some are utilized for their tasty meat and fresh eggs, while others are excellent for pets and poultry shows. Raise hens with feathered feet if you’re looking for a breed of chicken that will stand out on your farm or in your backyard. They will look fantastic in your coop and provide your children with wonderful companions.
Choose the kind of chicken that best fits your personality and setup from our collection of adorable breeds with fluffy feet and legs. Take your time! Examine their characteristics to identify the breed of feather-footed chicken that best fits your needs!
