Explore 8 Of The Most Hilarious Funny Looking Chickens Ever!
Enter the world of funny-looking chickens, where extravagant crests and dragon-like legs turn these birds into living cartoons. From the royal Polish chicken to the stout-legged Dong Taos, this article parades the most chuckle-worthy members of the chicken world, each with its own story. Without giving it all away, let’s just say there’s more to these birds than meets the eye.
1. The Comical Crests of Polish Chickens
Ever seen a chicken with an extravagant headpiece? Meet the Polish chicken, renowned for its dramatic crest and an unusual domed skull. This large tuft of feathers, coupled with a V-shaped comb, gives these chickens a royal appearance. But as they say, every rose has its thorn. Their dramatic crest can often impair their vision, causing wacky behavior and making them susceptible to parasites and infections.
Despite their visual impairments, Polish chickens have a gentle nature, which makes them good companions for children. However, their restricted vision can make them skittish and vulnerable to bullying by more aggressive breeds.
Polish chickens have a rich history dating back to the 16th century, even though their precise origins remain uncertain. Nowadays, they are primarily kept as ornamental birds and are appreciated for their:
- Foraging prowess
- Unique appearance, with their distinctive crests and feathered feet
- Friendly and docile nature
- Notable resistance to most diseases
While they were once valued for their egg production, Polish chickens are now mainly kept for their ornamental qualities.
2. The Peculiar Naked Neck Chicken
Next on our list is the Naked Neck chicken, a breed that certainly turns heads! With 40-59% fewer feathers than other chicken breeds, this unique chicken breed exhibits a peculiar appearance that is simply unforgettable. Their skin is on full display, and they own it! Their neck and head may even turn bright red from sun exposure, adding a pop of color to their unique look.
Naked Neck chickens are famous for their:
- Humorous personalities
- Talkative nature
- Chatty and comical behavior
- Toughness and cold hardiness
- Gene that improves their breast size and helps them cope with heat
Tracing back their roots to Transylvania, these birds are alternatively known as Turkens, Churkeys, or Transylvanian Naked Necks. They are a dual-purpose breed, valued for both their egg-laying ability and meat quality, a truly versatile member of the chicken world.
3. Silkie Chicken: The Fluffy Phenomenon
If you’re looking for something extraordinarily fluffy, Silkie chickens are your answer! This breed possesses:
- Black skin, muscles, and bones due to melanism, a trait uncommon in other chicken breeds
- Striking turquoise earlobes
- An extra toe
- Down-like feathers that give them a distinctively fluffy appearance.
Unlike most chickens, their feathers do not lock together, rendering them incapable of flying. But that doesn’t stop them from being show stoppers!. When crossed with Frizzle chickens, Silkie chickens can produce intriguingly unique offspring called ‘Sizzles’.
Silkie chickens are not just about looks. They are also known to be excellent sitters and incubators for the eggs of other chickens. Despite their fancy looks, they are quite the hard workers!
Read also: Top 20 Fluffy Chicken Breeds: Pets & For Better Investments
4. The Curious Frizzle Chicken
If curly feathers are your thing, then you’d definitely love the Frizzle chicken! These charming birds are known for their distinctive curly feathers, which are a result of a gene mutation. Available in a variety of colors, Frizzle chickens are popular as exhibition show birds, despite their complicated recognition status.
However, breeding two Frizzle chickens can lead to offspring with frazzle feathers, which can cause health issues. Hence, responsible breeders avoid such practices.
Frizzle chickens need special care. They need protection against the cold, high-quality feed and water, and a clean coop. Their feathers also need trimming for visual clarity.
5. The Long-Tailed Wonders: Onagadori Chickens
The Onagadori chickens put on a spectacle with their impressively long tail feathers, which can grow over 6.5 feet! This is due to a non-molting gene allowing their tail, sickle, and saddle feathers to grow continuously.
Caring for these long-tailed wonders requires regular cleaning and oil application to prevent dryness. Keeping their environment clean is also essential for the maintenance of their beautiful feathers.
Originating from Japan, the onagadori chicken has been officially recognized as a Japanese National Natural Treasure since 1912-1926. With exports of the breed and its eggs banned, they are a truly prized possession.
6. The Devilish Look of La Fleche Chickens
Meet the ‘Devil Bird’ of the chicken world, the La Fleche chicken! Their distinctive V-shaped comb, sleek black feathers, and red eyes give them a unique devilish look. Despite their appearance, they are quite flighty and capable flyers, preferring to keep their distance from humans.
La Fleche hens are consistent layers able to produce between 140 and 200 eggs annually. They rarely go broody, which contributes to their egg-laying consistency.
Originated from France, these ‘Devil Birds’ were once immensely popular. After nearly disappearing post-World War II, they have been the focus of conservation efforts since 2011, highlighting their importance in the poultry world.
7. Dong Tao Chickens: The Dragon’s Descendants
Dong Tao chickens, also known as Dragon Chickens, are a sight to behold! Recognized by their extraordinarily thick legs, these dong tao chicken specimens are a rare and exotic chicken breeds traditionally valued by Vietnamese royals for their meat.
Despite their intimidating appearance, Dong Tao chickens are gentle creatures. They coexist peacefully with people and other animals, though roosters can sometimes exhibit aggression towards other males.
These unique chickens need specific care. Their thick legs require regular washing and scrubbing to maintain hygiene. They also prefer open spaces and can develop bullying behavior in confined areas.
8. Featherless Chickens: A Unique Creation
The Featherless chicken is a unique creation designed to reduce the need for plucking and to make poultry eating more humane. They grow faster and gain weight more rapidly than conventional breeds. Despite being adapted for warm climates, these chickens struggle with cold weather. They also face challenges such as increased susceptibility to skin diseases and mating difficulties.
Despite their living appearance, consumers note no taste difference in their meat compared to a typical chicken, making them an interesting choice for those seeking variety.
Extraordinary Egg Layers That Look Odd
Not all extraordinary egg layers look ordinary! Some unusual chicken breeds like the Araucana, Australorp, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, and Cream Legbar are known for their distinct appearances and high egg production.
The Araucana chicken, one of the rare chicken breeds, is known for its rumpless body and its ability to lay blue eggs, with approximately 150 blue chicken eggs a year, making for a colorful egg basket!
Silkie chickens are another breed that’s not just visually delightful but also quite productive. These fluffy birds produce over 100 eggs per year and are known to be excellent sitters and incubators for the eggs of other chickens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most unique looking chicken?
The Silkie chicken is considered one of the most unique and beautiful breeds due to its atypically fluffy appearance, which feels like silk to the touch. It is the only breed with fluffy feathers, covering even its legs and toes.
What is the chicken with funny legs?
A chick with funny legs likely has a condition called spraddle leg, but it can be easily treated if caught early, and the chick has a good chance of recovering and growing into a healthy adult bird.
Why are some chickens called Easter Eggers?
Easter egger chickens are mixed-breed chickens known for laying eggs in a wide variety of colors, including blue, pink, green, sage, and yellow, thanks to their genetic makeup. So, they are called Easter Eggers because of the colorful eggs they lay.
Why is the Naked Neck chicken called so?
The Naked Neck chicken is called so because it has 40-59% fewer feathers than other chicken breeds, resulting in a distinct bare-neck appearance. This unique trait is the reason behind its name.
What is unique about the feathers of Silkie chickens?
Silkie chickens have feathers that look like down, giving them a fluffy appearance.
Summary
From the comical crests of Polish chickens to the peculiar appearance of Naked Neck chickens, the world of unusual chicken breeds is fascinating. Each breed is unique in its own way, with distinctive features that not only make them stand out but also add value, whether it’s in terms of egg production, meat quality, or ornamental appeal.
Whether you’re raising chickens in your backyard or simply a poultry enthusiast, exploring these unique breeds offers an intriguing insight into the diversity of the chicken world. So, why not step out of the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary world of unusual chicken breeds?