Picture a chicken so fluffy, it looks like it’s wearing a
wedding dress. Another with a tail so long and fancy, it makes peacocks
jealous. Or one that struts around like it’s wearing a powdered wig from the
1700s—or maybe fluffy feather pants. Some have hairdos better than Elvis
Presley, others rock rainbow feathers. These aren't Photoshop fails or cartoon
characters. They're real chickens, featuring amazing patterns and unique colors.
In this new episode of 4 Ever Green, we’ll show 15
unbelievable chicken breeds that’ll make you say, “Wait, that’s a chicken?!” Forget
boring brown hens, we're talking about jet-black birds with black bones and
skin, tiny “teddy bear” chickens with silky fluff, and hybrids that lay eggs in
shades of blue and green. So, get ready, hit subscribe, and let's dive in!
15. Bearded Belgian Bantams:
Meet the Belgian Bantam, the pocket-sized superstar of the
coop. These birds are so small, they make regular chickens look like giants!
Originating from Belgium, they weigh barely 1-2 pounds, about the size of a
coffee mug. Their feathers come in wild colors—jet black, snow white, smoky
blue, and even spotted patterns that look like someone sprayed paint on them.
Belgian Bantams live up to 10 years. That’s ancient in chicken years.
In 1911, enthusiasts from Belgium first brought them to
England and showed them at the Crystal Palace, where they caught a lot of
attention. These chickens aren’t just pretty faces. They’re super friendly,
making them perfect for kids or folks with small backyards. And guess what?
They lay eggs like champions—about 180 tiny, creamy eggs a year. That’s a lot
of omelets! These small birds nearly went extinct during World War II. Thanks
to the dedicated breeders, they are now thriving and showing off around the
world.
14. Hybrid Pheasant Chicken:
What do you get when you mix a Golden Pheasant with a
chicken? A bird that looks like it escaped from a fantasy movie. The Hybrid
Pheasant Chicken is that bird. This bird is literally part chicken, part Golden
Pheasant and 100% jaw-dropping. Its feathers scream “look at me!” with bright
red, gold, and green colors, like someone dunked a regular chicken in a
rainbow.
These rare hybrids are worth searching for. They behave like
regular chickens, digging for bugs and clucking for snacks but they attract
attention like celebrities. They’re also tough birds, dealing with both hot and
cold weather easily. Their eggs are normal-sized, but they come from a bird
that looks like it belongs in a gemstone collection. Despite their wild looks,
they’re shy. Think of them as the introverted supermodels of chickens, stunning
but quiet. If chickens had Instagram, this one would go viral overnight.
13. Silver Laced Polish Chickens:
Move over, Elvis—this chicken has the real iconic hairstyle. Silver Laced
Polish Chickens look like they’re wearing a feathery pompadour 24/7. Their wild
head crests, made up of tangled black and silver feathers, make them the
rockstars of the chicken world. Their feathery hats can get so big, they sometimes
block their vision. Born in Poland and famous since the 1700s, these birds are
like the Marilyn Monroe of poultry: timeless, glamorous, and impossible to
ignore.
Their bodies are just as stylish. Silver and black feathers
wrap around them like a fancy lace coat, giving off a "dressed to
impress" vibe. Males weigh about 5-6 pounds, females a bit smaller, but
their personalities are huge. These birds are friendly, curious, and
chill—perfect for kids. They’ll follow you around like tiny, feathered detectives,
pecking at your shoelaces or begging for treats.
Before we move on to our next selection, take a moment to
check out our video on 25 Unbelievable
Chicken Breeds That Actually Exist. Now, let's get back to our list.
12. Onagadori Long-Tailed Japanese Chicken:
Forget peacocks, this chicken’s tail
is so long, it could double as a red carpet. These chickens have tails
that grow up to 10 meters and never stop. Yes, their tails keep growing their
entire lives. Some older birds literally need human helpers to carry their
feathers. Their tails need more pampering than a Hollywood star’s hair. Their
name means “honorable fowl,” and they live up to it. Japan declared them a
national treasure in 1952. After getting “special status” in 1952, the country
locked down exports. You won’t find these outside Japan. If you see one, you’re
either in Japan or dreaming.
The history of long-tailed chickens goes back thousands of
years. However, it's believed that the Onagadori breed was developed in the
seventeenth century in Tosa Province on Shikoku Island, Japan. Its exact
origins are unclear, but experts think it came from other long-tailed breeds
such as the Shokoku, Totenko, and possibly the Minohiki.
11. Sumatra:
The Sumatra chicken is distinctive and beautiful, featuring
long, flowing curves, abundant tail feathering, and a rich green sheen. Males
flaunt extra-long tail feathers, while females rock a sleeker, shiny look. Originally
from the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo in Indonesia, these birds lived
in the wild and may have been the ancestors of many current chicken breeds.
The Sumatra chicken first arrived in the United States in
April 1847, brought by J.A.C. Butters of Roxbury, MA. It reached Germany in
1882, where it was initially known as "Black Yokohama." Nelson A.
Wood from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. started working with the
breed in 1885. He is credited with refining the Sumatra chicken, enhancing its
flowing feathers, and increasing its productivity. Sumatra chickens are known
for their pheasant-like behavior, moving gracefully and preferring to explore
around bushes and other areas that provide good cover. They can fly better than
most chickens, hopping fences like it’s a parkour course.
10. Green Junglefowl:
Before there were backyard chickens, there was the Green
Junglefowl, the wild, untamed ancestor of every chicken on your dinner plate. This
bird is like the Adam and Eve of poultry, walking through the jungles of
Indonesia and Southeast Asia like it owns the place. It’s got neon-green
feathers on its neck, fiery orange wings, and a tail that fans out like a
flamenco dancer’s skirt.
The Green junglefowl
is a medium-sized bird, measuring up to 75 cm long. Males have a striking
appearance, with glossy green, gold, and black feathers that catch the sunlight
like disco balls. Females keep it low-key with earthy brown tones, perfect for
hiding from tigers in the wild. Green Junglefowl don’t do coops. They live in
bamboo forests, roosting in trees and dodging predators like ninjas. They can
fly short distances, eat anything from bugs to fruit, and have survival skills
that’d make Bear Grylls jealous. While modern chickens lay eggs daily, Green
Junglefowl females lay just 10-15 eggs a year.
9. Jubilee Orpington Hybrid:
This hybrid combines the Speckled Sussex and Orpington
breeds, resulting in a bird with a complex pattern of mahogany ground color
with black spangles and white tips, which can take up to 18 months to fully
develop. These birds are big, fluffy, and built like feathery pillows.
Jubilees are some of the friendliest chickens you'll ever
meet. They'll follow you around the yard and hop onto your lap for snacks. They
lay pinkish-brown eggs, giving them a unique blush-like appearance. They’re
chill in cold weather, happy in small spaces, and won’t fly over fences. William
Cook introduced the Orpington Chicken breed in the mid-19th century, naming it
after the town of Orpington in Kent, southeast England. The Jubilee Orpington
was developed in 1897 and was originally named Diamond Jubilee Orpingtons to
honor Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebration on the throne. During the
festivities, a flock of these regal Orpingtons was presented to the Queen.
8. Crèvecoeur Chicken:
With a jet-black coat, a fluffy head crest resembling a
powdered wig, and a sharp V-shaped comb that mimics a fancy hat, this bird is
the runway model of the chicken world. Originating in France, the Crèvecoeur is
one of the oldest French breeds. Their name, "Crèvecoeur," translates
to "broken heart" and comes from the small town of Crève-Coeur en
Auge in Normandy.
The Crèvecoeur was developed primarily for the quality of
its flesh. The breed was a very popular meat bird of the upper-middle class
French. In 1889, there were two sets of awards offered at the first
agricultural exhibit held in Paris: one for Crèvecoeur chickens and another for
all other chicken breeds. The breed was imported to America in 1852 and 1867,
and again in the 1870s. The Crèvecoeur chicken was popular in France until the
early 20th century. However, during World War II, when the German army reached
Normandy, nearly all of these birds were consumed within two years, leaving the
breed critically endangered. Recently, efforts in the U.S., France, and
Australia have started to rebuild the flocks and help recover the breed.
If you liked this video so far, leave a like and you can
also check out Pets in
Funny Costumes Will Make Your Day 100% Better! on our channel 4 Ever
Green.
7. Salmon Faverolle Hybrid:
If a chicken and a teddy bear had a baby, it would be the
Salmon Faverolle. This breed resembles a living cotton candy cloud with its
fluffy feathers, round bodies, and soft salmon-pink color. Mixing Faverolles
with buff breeds and you get these stunners.
Their feathers are a mix of salmon, cream, and gold, like
someone painted them with a sunset. Their fluffy beards and feathered legs make
them look like they're wearing fuzzy slippers. Their feathers are so soft and
puffy, you’ll want to use them as a pillow. Males rock a rusty-red cape over
their wings, while females keep it chic with creamy-salmon feathers and a
feathery beard. They’re not small either—males weigh about 8 pounds, females
around 6.5. Salmon Faverolles are the golden retrievers of chickens. They love
people, follow you around the yard, and even let kids pick them up.
Additionally, Hens lay around 200 light pink or cream eggs a year—perfect for
breakfast, and the shells match their feathers!
6. Naked neck Frizzle:
Meet the bird that’s part chicken, part turkey, and 100%
weirdly adorable. The Naked Neck Frizzle has a neck as smooth as a plucked
turkey’s, paired with feathers that curl outward like they’ve been hit by a
static electricity storm. It’s the Einstein of the chicken world, with a
hairstyle that screams “mad scientist.”
Their bodies are covered in frizzled feathers—soft, fluffy curls
that make them look like they’re wearing a permanent feathery mohawk. Colors
range from fiery red to snowy white, but that bald, pinkish neck steals the
show every time. Size-wise, they’re medium: roosters weigh around 7 pounds,
hens about 5.5. That naked neck isn’t just for laughs. It helps them handle hot
weather better than most breeds. The curl is caused by a genetic quirk, making
each bird a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. These chickens aren’t shy. They’re
friendly, curious, and surprisingly calm. They lay about 150-200 cream-colored
eggs a year, proving they’re more than just a funny face.
5. Svart Hona:
The Svart Hona, straight from Sweden, is so black, it’s like
someone dipped a chicken in ink. We’re talking everything: feathers, skin,
beak, even their bones are pitch-black. If Dracula had a pet chicken, this
would be it. The Ayam Cemani is another all-black breed, closely related to the
Svart Hona. Their feathers shine like polished obsidian, and their faces glow
with a mysterious dark sheen. They’re medium-sized—males weigh 5-6 pounds,
females 4-5 pounds—but their bold looks make them stand out.
Svart Honas, also known as Swedish Black Hens, were brought
to Sweden from Mozambique in the 1800s, though they originally come from
Indonesia. As of 2013, Svart Honas are still extremely rare, with very few
known flocks in the entire United States, including one of ours. These birds
are also very hard to find in Europe even today. Svart Honas aren’t just pretty
voids. They are active explorers, always hunting bugs or hopping fences.
4. Barnevelder:
Hailing from the Netherlands, this breed’s feathers glow
with a double-laced feathers—each one outlined in gold or silver, like delicate
embroidery on black velvet. Their feathers shimmer in sunlight, giving them a
glow that’d make a jewelry store jealous. These birds are medium-sized but
sturdy. Roosters weigh 6-7 pounds and hens are 5-6 pounds.
Traditionally bred for both eggs and meat, Barnevelders were
named after the Dutch town of Barneveld. These chickens were developed in the
early 20th century by crossing local Dutch breeds with imported chickens, such
as the Langshan and possibly Brahmas. The Barnevelder hen is an excellent egg
layer, producing around 180-200 dark brown eggs per year. Their unique
"chocolate" colored eggs are one of the reasons they are so popular
in backyard flocks. Barnevelders are the chill neighbors of the coop. They're
calm, friendly, and low-drama, willing to let kids pet them or even follow you
around like feathery shadows.
3. Favaucana:
Say hello to the Favaucana—a fluffy-faced charmer that’s
half Faverolle, half Ameraucana, and 100% magic. This hybrid looks like it
raided a craft store: a soft beard of feathers around its face, muffs that
resemble a cozy scarf, and a mix of warm salmon, gold, and earthy brown
feathers. No two Favaucanas look exactly alike. Their feather patterns and
colors can vary wildly, making each bird a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
These birds are medium-sized, with roosters weighing 6-7
pounds and hens around 5-6 pounds. But their real superpower is their eggs.
Favaucanas lay blue or green eggs that look like they've been plucked right out
of an Easter basket. These chickens are social butterflies. They’ll chat with
you in soft clucks, follow you for snacks, and let kids carry them around like
living stuffed animals. They’re cold-hardy, love to forage, and their fluffy
face feathers give them a permanent “smiling” look.
2. Blue Laced Red Wyandotte:
The Blue Laced Red Wyandotte is a striking and unique
American chicken breed, first developed in the 1870s. This variety features a
stunning color pattern, with rich red feathers intricately laced with a
slate-blue hue that appears almost gray, offering a visually captivating
contrast. Even their combs are rose-shaped, adding a touch of retro flair. Their
distinctive appearance makes them a favorite among poultry enthusiasts and
backyard chicken keepers alike.
Wyandottes are solid birds— roosters weigh 7-8 pounds and
hens are 5-6 pounds. These birds are built like fluffy tanks, with broad
shoulders and a confident stance. But it’s their feathers that steal the show. Beyond
their beauty, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes are known for their versatility. They
are excellent dual-purpose birds, suitable for both egg production and meat. They
lay about 200 brown eggs a year and are known for being friendly and curious,
making them great companions for families.
1.
Silkie
Meet the bird that looks like a stuffed animal come to life.
Silkies are so fluffy, their feathers feel like rabbit fur or cotton candy.
Their feathers don’t lie flat; instead, they explode in every direction. Their
poofy feathers cover everything: body, legs, even their toes. Their feathers
lack barbicels, which are the hooks that hold feathers together. This is what
gives them their poofy appearance. Because they don’t have standard feathers,
they are not capable of flying.
Unlike other chickens, Silkies have bright turquoise ears,
although their pom-like feathers can sometimes cover them. Silkies are
distinctive for their black skin and bones, a trait that makes them a delicacy
in some parts of the world and is shared with breeds like Mystic Onyx and Ayam
Cemani. Their combs are walnut-shaped and dark or mulberry in color,
complemented by black eyes and a blue-tinted beak. Silkies are tiny. Roosters
weigh just 2-3 pounds (like a small purse), and hens are even lighter.
And that's it for today. Don't forget to like, subscribe,
and stay tuned. See you next time on 4 Ever Green.