You don’t always picture chickens when you think of animals with unique and crazy hair. After all, the most common chicken breeds all seem to have the same type of feather covering their bodies – it’s all just a matter of color or plumage pattern.
What are the breeds of chicken with crazy hair? There are 15 chickens with crazy hair, which includes the following:
- Thuringian
- Yokohama
- Appenzeller Spitzhauben
- Silkies
- Sultans
- Araucana
- Onagadori
- Pavlovskaya
- Brabanter
- Cochin
- Crevecoeur
- Frizzle
- Houdan
- Easter Eggers
- Polish
If you want to know more about each chicken breed, just continue reading. You’ll be surprised by how different they appear from the common chicken breeds.
Do Chickens Have Hair or Feathers?
Like all birds, chickens have feathers instead of hair or fur. Feathers provide chickens with the protection they need to survive extreme temperatures – especially against the cold.
While some chicken breeds appear to have hair, like the Silkie, these hair-like strands are still feathers. Their feathers simply do not have the barbs and barbules that provide the regular feather its known solid structure. As a result, the Silkie feathers flow freely, giving it a hair-like appearance.
Also, if you happen to notice small hairs on your chicken meat, these are its vestigial feathers. Vestigial feathers are the loose-structured soft feathers found on chickens. They are smaller and softer than the main exterior feathers, which is why they get mistaken for hair.
What Is Chicken Hair Called?
As earlier established, chickens have feathers – and not hair. However, they have a layer of fine feathers with a hair-like appearance known as vestigial feathers.
These feathers are also referred to as the downs or hair, owing to their hair-like appearance. The purpose of the vestigial downs or vestigial hair is to provide further insulation to chickens.
15 Breeds of Chicken with Crazy Hair
Thuringian
The Thuringian is a rare chicken breed originating from the Thuringer region of Germany. It is believed to have been around since the 1790s and was primarily bred for its meat and eggs. Currently, it is mainly bred for pet shows and exhibitions, considering its rare status.
The Thuringian chicken is notable for its fluffy plumage below its neck, making it appear like it has chubby cheeks. This is common across all Thuringian varieties – regardless of plumage color or pattern.
Interestingly, the Thuringian is quite a hardy breed, especially during the winter season. But while it is capable of surviving tough winters, it is not a fan of the rain.
- Appearance: The Thuringian is a medium-sized chicken breed with broad and bulky bodies. They have short yet stout necks with thick plumage right under their necks. Some Thuringian varieties have thick plumage around their necks that makes them appear like they’re wearing fluffy scarves.
Thuringian chickens come in different colors and can either be white, black, red or buff, among others. In most cases, the plumage on their bodies either has black or white flecks.
- Lifespan: 3 to 10 years
- Height: Up to 28 inches
- Weight: 3.5 to 5.5 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Germany
- Characteristics: Active, friendly, cold-hardy, dual-purpose breed
Yokohama
The Yokohama chicken is one of the most beautiful species of chicken there is. Surprisingly, this breed was developed in Germany and was only named after the Port of Yokohama from which they were exported. Their most iconic feature is their long tail feathers – some of which even reach up to four feet long.
Because of their small bodies, they are not ideal to be bred for meat. They are likewise poor egg-layers, often only producing around 80 eggs per laying cycle if the hen does not become broody. Thus, the Yokohama chicken is mainly bred for exhibitions and pet shows.
- Appearance: The Yokohama is known for its stunningly long tail feathers. There are two known varieties of this breed: the White and the Red Shouldered Yokohama chickens.
The White Yokohama Chicken is completely covered in pristine white plumage. On the other hand, the Red Shouldered Yokohama has mainly white plumage except for the white-flecked red plumage around its shoulder, wing, and chest area.
For both varieties, the Yokohama has yellow beaks, legs, and feet. It also has red combs the size of peas or walnuts. Yokohama roosters have red wattles, while hens rarely have them.
- Lifespan: 6 to 8 years
- Height: The Yokohama is a small-sized chicken breed, but its exact height range is unknown.
- Weight: 4.5 inches
- Wingspan: 17 to 23 inches
- Place Of Origin: Germany
- Characteristics: Alert, broody, calm, docile, quiet
Related: What Is a Yokohama Chicken? | Identification, Habitat, and Behavior
Appenzeller Spitzhauben
Out of all the chicken breeds on this list, the Appenzeller Spitzhauben looks like a rock star. With its black-and-white plumage and mohawk-like crest, this breed is a true head-turner.
This chicken breed finds its origins in the Appenzell alpine region in Switzerland. As such, the Appenzeller Spitzhauben is exceptionally cold-hardy. It is also recognized as a good egg layer, with a single hen being able to produce up to 280 white eggs per year.
- Appearance: The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is a medium-sized chicken breed that’s surprisingly lightweight. Its most notable feature is its forward-facing crest, making it appear like it has a mohawk. This chicken breed has a long wattle, a V-shaped comb, white earlobes, and notable red-rimmed eyes.
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben appears either brown or white with either black or white specks mostly concentrated on the upper half of its body. Its body usually appears rounded. Its feet are either dark gray or pale in color.
- Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
- Height: 28 inches
- Weight: 3.5 to 4.5 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Switzerland
- Characteristics: Friendly, active, cold-hardy, exceptional egg layers
Silkies
Silkies look like walking pom-poms, which is owing to their unique hair-like feathers. This is a result of their feathers having no barbs, which gives ordinary feathers their structured appearance. Since their feathers have no barbs, the strands on their feathers move freely – much like hair or fur.
While they produce a decent amount of eggs, silkies are mostly raised as pets or for exhibition. They are also calm and friendly, making them great around children.
- Appearance: The Silkie is a small chicken breed that has fluffy hair-like fur covering the entirety of its body. They have a long neck and round body shape. Silkies are known for their black skin, feet, and beak. Their wattles and combs appear dark blue or black. However, because of the fluffy appearance of its fur, the wattles and combs are not always visible in adult silkies. Silkies appear in different colors, but the most popular are white, black, and partridge.
- Lifespan: 7 to 8 years
- Height: 8 to 14 inches
- Weight: 1.5 to 3 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: China
- Characteristics: Calm, friendly, broody
Related: What Is a Silkie Chicken? | Information and Facts
Sultans
Aside from the Yokohama, the Sultan chicken is another fancy breed. This chicken breed originates from Turkey, where it is called Sarai-Tavuk or “fowls of the palace.”
The Sultan shares similar features with the Silkie in the sense that both have a fluffy crest and round-shaped body. But unlike the Silkie, the Sultan’s feathers are barbed, which gives it a more structured appearance.
The Sultan is primarily bred as pets or as show poultry. It is not a good egg layer since hens can only produce around 50 eggs per year.
- Appearance: The Sultan is a small-sized chicken breed with a fluffy appearance. It has long crest feathers which appear rounded and usually long enough to cover its face. It has a rounded body covered in fluffy feathers and a long tail that points upwards.
It has a red v-shaped comb, a red wattle, a white beak, and white legs and feet. Its most popular variety is covered in white feathers, but it is also available in black and blue varieties.
- Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
- Height: 9 to 16 inches
- Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Turkey
- Characteristics: Quiet, calm, friendly, docile, social
Araucana
If you’ve ever come across a chicken that seems to have a beard growing outward from each side of its face, then it’s likely that you have already met an Araucana. This fancy chicken breed originates from the Araucania region of Chile, hence the name.
Aside from its unique beard, the Araucana chicken is also known for its beautiful bluish eggs. Interestingly, a single hen can produce around 200 eggs in a year, which makes them a dual-purpose breed.
- Appearance: The Araucana is a medium-sized chicken breed with rounded bodies, with a thick yet short neck. It is especially characterized by the tufts growing below its beak, making it appear like a bearded chicken. The Araucana comes in different plumage varieties, including white, black, brown, and red.
- Lifespan: 6 to 8 years
- Height: The Araucana is a medium-sized chicken breed. However, its exact height range is unknown.
- Weight: 5.5 to 6.5 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Chile
- Characteristics: Dual-purpose breed, energetic, friendly
Onagadori
Another fancy chicken breed that’s sure to make heads turn is the Onagadori. Like the Yokohama, this breed is known for its exceptionally long tail – the longest of which measures around 27 feet.
It is one of the oldest chicken breeds still existing today, with records showing that it has been bred in Japan’s Kochi Prefecture in the 17th century. Because of its historic significance, it was listed in 1952 as a Special Natural Treasure by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Unfortunately, the breed faced near extinction in 2013 with only less than 200 in existence that year. While the number has improved over the years, it is still considered endangered.
- Appearance: The Onagadori is a medium-sized chicken breed with long black tails. Its upper body is usually covered in white or golden brown plumage, while its lower body is covered in black feathers. It has a red comb and a red wattle.
- Lifespan: 6 to 7 years
- Height: The Onagadori is a medium-sized chicken breed, but its specific height range is unknown.
- Weight: Up to 4 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Japan
- Characteristics: Calm, friendly, flighty, ornamental breed
Pavlovskaya
The Pavlovskaya is one of Russia’s oldest chicken breeds, with records of its breeding dating back to the 1800s. Its most distinct feature is the helmet-shaped crest on top of its head. Unlike most chickens, the Pavlovskaya grows feathers all over its legs – making it look like its feet are covered in feathers.
Coming from Pavlovskaya, Turkey, this chicken is capable of tolerating a range of temperatures, especially in the cold winter months. They are also quite low maintenance, making them great pets.
Interestingly, the Pavlovskaya is not bred for meat or eggs. While edible, its carcass produces hard meat. It is also known to produce only around 70 to 90 eggs in a year, which means it’s not a good egg layer.
- Appearance: The Pavlovskaya chicken has a medium-sized body, a long slender neck, and a small rounded head. On top of its head is a crest full of feathers that make it appear like it’s wearing a helmet. It has a small comb and wattle that are usually hidden under its feathers.
Its whole body is covered in feathers – including its lower leg and feet. The Pavlovskaya chicken appears in several varieties, including white, black with golden flecks, golden with black flecks, and white with black flecks.
- Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
- Height: The Pavlovskaya is a small chicken breed whose exact height range is unknown.
- Weight: 3 to 4 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Russia
- Characteristics: Docile, cold-hardy
Brabanter
The Brabanter is another old chicken breed with records dating back to the 1600s. The breed is from Brabant, a region between Belgium and the Netherlands.
It is known for its beautiful plumage, including a narrow crest and a thick plumage under its beak that appears like a beard. They have a small comb and wattle, which makes them more tolerant of cooler temperatures.
- Appearance: The Brabanter chicken is a large chicken breed that has an iconic crest and beard. Its crest is long yet narrow, while its beard covers the entirety of its neck. It has a v-shaped comb, a small wattle, and a white or gray-colored beak and feet.
The Brabanter is available in a variety of colors, including chamois, black, and white. This chicken breed has an interesting black-flecked plumage all over its lower body.
- Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
- Height: The Brabanter is a large chicken breed whose exact height range is unknown.
- Weight: 5.5 to 7 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Netherlands
- Characteristics: Intelligent, friendly, good egg layers, alert, ornamental
Cochin
The Cochin is one of the largest chicken breeds in existence today – with roosters weighing up to 11 pounds. Interestingly, the fact that their body is covered in fluffy feathers makes them appear even larger. Their most distinctive feature is their thick leg plumage, which even covers their feet.
The Cochin is considered a dual-purpose breed. Its carcass produces good quality meat, while a single hen can produce up to 180 large eggs in a year. They’re also non-aggressive, so they’re safe enough to be around children.
- Appearance: The Cochin is a large-sized chicken breed covered in thick, fluffy feathers from its head to its lower legs. It has a small wattle, comb, and earlobes, which only contrasts its fluffy appearance, thereby making it look bulkier. It has a yellow beak and black beady eyes. The Cochin comes in a variety of colors, including buff, black, brown, red and black, and silver.
- Lifespan: 8 to 10 years
- Height: The Cochin is a large chicken breed whose height range is unknown.
- Weight: 8.5 to 11 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: China
- Characteristics: Dual-purpose breed, friendly, quiet, calm
Crevecoeur
The Crevecoeur is another stunning chicken breed. It is best known for its all-black plumage and long crest.
While its exact origins are unknown, this fancy chicken breed is considered one of the oldest chicken breeds in France. Records show that the breed was especially popular in France from the 1800s until the early 1900s since it won prizes during the 1855 Exposition Universelle. Unfortunately, its popularity began to decline and was eventually classified as endangered in 2007.
The Crevecoeur is considered a dual-purpose breed since it can produce suitable meat and up to 200 large-sized eggs per year. But for conservation purposes, the breed is now raised primarily for pet shows and exhibitions.
- Appearance: The Crevecoeur is a medium-sized chicken breed with a bulky lower body, a thick neck, and narrow legs. It is covered in solid black plumage, including its long crest and beard feathers. It has a red comb, wattles, and earlobes, which contrasts its all-black appearance. Its beak and feet are either black or dark blue.
- Lifespan: 8 years
- Height: The Crevecoeur is a medium-sized chicken breed whose exact height range is unknown.
- Weight: 6.5 to 8 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: France
- Characteristics: Dual-purpose, ornamental, calm, active
Frizzle
When it comes to chickens with crazy hair, there’s no doubt that the Frizzle breed is always on the list. This chicken has long feathers that curl outwards, making it look like it has unkempt hair – hence the name.
The exact origins of the Frizzle breed are unknown, but the earliest reports of its existence date back to the 18th century. It is believed that its unique frizzled appearance is a result of breeding selection for exhibition purposes.
- Appearance: The Frizzle chicken is a medium-sized breed of short stature. But while this breed is considered short, it has a broad body with roundedreasts, making it appear fuller and rounder. It is most notable for its long feathers that curl outward, giving it an unkempt yet fluffy appearance.
The Frizzle has a red comb, earlobes, and wattles. Its legs, feet, and beak are yellow. This breed of chicken has either white, light brown, or black plumage.
- Lifespan: 6 to 8 years
- Height: The Frizzle Chicken is a medium-sized breed whose exact height range is unknown.
- Weight: 5 to 8 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Far East
- Characteristics: Quiet, non-aggressive, friendly, hardy
Houdan
If you’ve come across a lovely black-and-white chicken that seems to have a fancy head of hair, then you’ve likely met a Houdan. This is an old chicken breed with origins in France dating back to the 1800s.
While mainly considered ornamental, the Houdan chicken is a multi-purpose breed. A single hen can produce up to 230 large-sized eggs within its laying cycle, which is quite impressive for a medium-sized chicken. Its carcass also produces tasty meat.
- Appearance: The Houdan chicken is a medium-sized breed that’s characterized by its long crest and plumage pattern. Its body is mostly covered in glossy black feathers with mottled white feathers to create a beautiful black-and-white plumage pattern.
It has a red comb shaped like an oak leaf, small red wattles, and red earlobes. In contrast, its beak and feet are either yellow or black. The Houdan chicken is also notable for its round body shape and long slender neck.
- Lifespan: 7 to 8 years
- Height: The Houdan Chicken is a medium-sized breed whose exact height range is unknown.
- Weight: 6.5 to 8 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: France
- Characteristics: Dual-purpose, ornamental, easily handled, sweet
Easter Eggers
The Easter Egger is another chicken that’s known for its crazy hair. Interestingly, Easter Eggers are mixed-breed chickens known to produce eggs of different colors – mostly blue, but may also be pink, sage, yellow, or pink. This is possible due to the breeding of chickens laying blue-colored eggs with chickens laying brown-colored eggs.
But what makes them appear to have crazy hair is the fact that they have tufts growing on the side of their heads. This makes them appear like they’re wearing ear muffs.
- Appearance: The Easter Egger is characterized by its bulky body and short yet stout neck. Its most notable feature is the tufts growing on the side of its head that make it appear like it’s wearing ear muffs. They have a small comb, gray-colored feet, and green earlobes.
Since Easter Eggers are a mixed breed, there are several varieties of this chicken as far as their plumage color is concerned. Popular colors include golden, black, beige, and white.
- Lifespan: Up to 8 years old
- Height: Easter Eggers are a medium-sized breed whose exact height range is unknown.
- Weight: 4 to 5 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: Chile
- Characteristics: Friendly, assertive
Polish
If you’ve ever seen a chicken that seems to be wearing a top hat, then you’ve likely come across a Polish chicken. This fancy breed is especially known for its dome-shaped crest, which makes it appear like it’s wearing a hat.
Despite its name, the earliest account of this bird shows that it was actively bred in the Netherlands in the 16th century. While the origin of its name is unknown, it is believed that it is derived from the Middle Dutch word “pol”, which refers to the breed’s dome-shaped head.
The Polish chicken is a good egg layer, with some hens even producing up to 200 medium-sized eggs in a year. However, they are mainly bred for ornamental purposes. They are also raised as pets, especially considering their calm and loving temperament.
- Appearance: The Polish chicken is a medium-sized chicken breed known for its long and slender body and its dome-shaped crest. It has an upright carriage, giving it a graceful appearance when standing up. It has a red v-shaped comb, red wattles, gray legs, and white earlobes.
- Lifespan: 7 to 8 years
- Height: 12 to 15 inches
- Weight: 4.5 to 6 pounds
- Wingspan: Unknown
- Place Of Origin: The Netherlands
- Characteristics: Excellent egg layers, easily scared, gentle, ornamental
Types of Chicken Feathers
Contour Feathers
The most common type of feather seen on any bird is the contour feather. These are the bird’s exterior feathers, which primarily serve as a shield that protects the bird from external factors such as the Sun’s UV rays, rain, snow, and other debris.
Contour feathers are so named because it gives birds their characteristic round contouring.
Down Feathers
Another common type of feather is the down feather. Otherwise known as the vestigial feathers or the vestigial hairs, these feathers have a loose structure that gives them a soft hair-like appearance. The main purpose of down feathers is to provide thermal insulation for the birds, giving them extra protection against the cold. It is often found under a layer of contour feathers.
Semiplume Feathers
Semiplume feathers are feathers that provide birds with an extra layer of thermal insulation. They are often found between the contour and the down feathers. Like the down feathers, they also have a loose structure; but they can be distinguished by the fact that semiplume feathers have longer rachis than barbs.
Filoplume Feathers
Filoplume feathers are hair-like feathers with barbs only appearing at the tip. As a result, these feathers appear standing up and are mainly decorative. However, not all birds have filoplume feathers.
References:
Breeds of Livestock – Yokohama
