When most people think of raising chickens, they likely envision classic, everyday breeds of hens clucking away in a quaint backyard coop. However, for those with a penchant for the extraordinary, rare chicken breeds offer a fascinating alternative.
These unique breeds are not only captivating in their diversity of colors, patterns and personalities, but they also bring a range of benefits that might surprise you. From their contribution to biodiversity to their role in preserving historical lineage, raising rare chicken breeds can transform a simple hobby into an engaging and rewarding pursuit.
Whether you’re an experienced backyard poultry grower or a curious newcomer, diving into the world of rare chicken breeds offers an intriguing adventure that’s sure to ruffle some feathers—in the best way possible.
What is a Rare Chicken Breed?
What makes a chicken “rare” is usually the availability of the chicken. Most rare breeds have something that makes them unique from the common breeds. This can vary from unique plumage, physical characteristics like extra toes, feathered legs, uncommon comb shapes or different colored eggs other than white or brown.
Most Popular Rare Chicken Breeds
Easter Egger
A cross between brown egg-laying Ameraucana and blue egg-laying Araucana, both originating from Chile. Easter Egger chickens usually have muffs on their cheeks (feathers). They also have greenish gray legs and are very good layers of green, blue and tinted eggs.
Egg Color: green and blue
Bird Size: smaller than average (4-5lbs)
Plumage Color: black, blue, brown, buff and white
Unique Traits: muffs on cheeks and greenish-gray legs
Blue Andalusian
Blue Andalusian chickens originated in Spain. These chickens have beautiful blue feathers that are laced with darker blue around each feather. They are very good layers of large white eggs.
Egg Color: white
Bird Size: medium (6-7lbs)
Plumage Color: blue with darker lacing
Unique Traits: blue feathers with darker blue lacing
Barnevelder
Barnevelder chickens originated in the Netherlands. These chickens are an eye-catching breed with dark red plumage and a blue-colored lacing. They are good layers of very dark brown eggs.
Egg Color: dark brown
Bird Size: medium-large (6-8lbs)
Plumage Color: dark red with blue lacing
Unique Traits: dark red feathers with blue lacing
Black Copper or Blue Copper Maran
Black Copper or Blue Copper Maran chickens originated in France. Like their name suggests, these chickens can be Black or Blue in color. They have reddish/copper colored feathers on their necks and are fair layers of very dark brown eggs.
Egg Color: very dark brown
Bird Size: medium-large (6-8lbs)
Plumage Color: black or blue
Unique Traits: reddish/copper colored feathers around the neck
Russian Orloff
Russian Orloff chickens originated in Russia/Iran. These chickens carry themselves in an upright position and have a unique walnut-like comb. They are fair layers of tinted colored eggs.
Egg Color: light brown/tinted
Bird Size: medium-large (6-8lbs)
Plumage Color: black, mahogany, spangled and white
Unique Traits: walnut-like comb
Salmon Faverolle
Salmon Faverolle chickens originated in France. These chickens have a beard, five toes and feathered legs. They are good layers of tinted colored eggs.
Egg Color: light brown/tinted
Bird Size: smaller than average (4-5lbs)
Plumage Color: salmon and white
Unique Traits: beard, five toes and feathered legs
Cream Legbar
Cream Legbar chickens originated in the United Kingdom. These chickens have a small crest on their heads and they are good layers of a light blue egg.
Egg Color: light blue
Bird Size: medium (5-6lbs)
Plumage Color: cream, gold and silver
Unique Traits: small crest on their heads
Cuckoo Maran
Cuckoo Maran chickens originated in France. These chickens have plumage that looks similar to a Barred Rock but the barring isn’t as distinct. They are good layers of very dark brown eggs.
Egg Color: dark brown eggs
Bird Size: medium (6-7lbs)
Plumage Color: black and white
Unique Traits: "cuckoo" feather pattern and extremely dark brown eggs
Olive Egger
Olive Egger chickens are another breed that originated in the United States. These chickens are commonly a cross between the Cream Legbar and a Cuckoo Maran and often have a small crest of feathers on their head. They are good layers of green eggs that will vary in shades between a sage and olive green color.
Egg Color: sage to olive green eggs
Bird Size: medium (5-7lbs)
Plumage Color: black
Unique Traits: small crest of feathers on their head
Lavender Orpington
Lavender Orpington chickens are another breed that originated in the United Kingdom. These chickens have an eye-catching plumage of lavender-gray feathers. They are very good layers of brown eggs.
Egg Color: brown eggs
Bird Size: larger than average (8-10lbs)
Plumage Color: light blue or pale gray with lavender hue
Unique Traits: lavender-gray feathers
Jersey Giant
Jersey Giant chickens originated in New Jersey. As the name suggests, they are very large chickens. Jersey Giants are good layers of brown eggs.
Egg Color: brown eggs
Bird Size: larger than average (10-12lbs)
Plumage Color: blue, black and white
Unique Traits: very large chickens
Buckeye
Buckeye chickens originated in Ohio. These chickens have a pea comb and are very good at killing mice. They are very good layers of brown eggs.
Egg Color: brown eggs
Bird Size: larger than average (7-8lbs)
Plumage Color: mahogany red with black tail feathers
Unique Traits: pea comb and good mice
Mottled Java
Mottled Java chickens originated in the United States. These chickens are a very old breed that was developed in the early 1800’s. They are good layers of brown eggs.
Egg Color: brown eggs
Bird Size: larger than average (7-8lbs)
Plumage Color: black with mottle white splashes
Unique Traits: old breed with distinct feathers
Silkies
Silkies are a Bantam (small) breed. Silkies are not actually a very rare breed but they are unique. These chickens have very unusual feathers that resemble the texture of hair more than feathers and can be black, white, blue and buff colors. They have black skin and legs and they have five toes and feathers on their legs and toes. Silkies can have a beard or no beard. They also have turquoise colored ear lobes and walnut combs and are known for becoming broody often. They are fair layers of small eggs with tinted colors.
Egg Color: small tinted eggs
Bird Size: smaller than average (3-4lbs)
Plumage Color: black, white, blue and buff
Unique Traits: black skin and legs, five toes and feathers on their legs and toes, turquoise colored ear lobes and walnut combs
Mille Fleur D'Uccle
Mille Fleur D'Uccle chickens are a Bantam (small) breed that originated in Belgium. They are a very friendly breed with feathers on their legs and toes. These chickens are fair layers of small eggs with tinted colors.
Egg Color: small tinted eggs
Bird Size: smaller than average (1-2lbs)
Plumage Color: brown, black, gray, silver, and white
Unique Traits: multicolored feather pattern, beards, muffs and feathered legs and feet
Frizzles
Frizzles chickens are another Bantam (small) breed. They are thought to have originated in Asia and are a Cochin Bantam with a gene that causes curling of the feathers. Frizzles come in red, blue, black and white colors and are very docile. They are good layers of white or tinted colored eggs.
Egg Color: white or tinted eggs
Bird Size: smaller than average (3-4lbs)
Plumage Color: white, red, blue and black
Unique Traits: curled feathers that curl outward for a fluffy appearance
Turken
Turken, also known as the Naked Neck chicken, is a distinctive breed that stands out due to its unique appearance. This breed is often mistaken for a turkey-chicken cross because of its notable bare neck. Despite its unusual look, the Turken is a hardy bird, well-suited to various climates, and is known for its friendly and calm demeanor. It is a medium-sized chicken and a reliable layer of brown eggs. The Turken's plumage can vary in color, adding to its appeal for those interested in raising rare and interesting chicken breeds.
Egg Color: brown eggs
Bird Size: medium (6-7lbs)
Plumage Color: black, buff, red and white
Unique Traits: distinctive bare neck gives it a unique appearance and contributes to it's hardiness various climates
Benefits of Raising a Rare Chicken Breed
Each chicken owner has ideas about what an ideal flock looks like for them. Since chickens come in so many different breeds, it is really fun for backyard chicken owners to mix and match the chickens in their flock. Here are some reasons you might consider adding a rare chicken breed to your coop.
1. Egg Color Variety
Some rare breeds are known for the unique size or color of their eggs. Consider a rare breed if you want a rainbow egg basket.
2. Unique Appearance
Rare breeds often sport unique characteristics in their plumage, body shape or size. Adding a rare breed to your flock adds some flare.
3. Protect Threatened Breeds
A lot of the rare breeds are on the Livestock Conservancy List since these breeds are at risk of extinction. When you raise a rare breed, you may be helping a species that is listed as threatened, critical, watching or recovering.
Caring for Rare Chicken Breeds
Most rare chicken breeds can be treated the same as any other chicken in the flock. They have the same dietary needs as more common breeds. Feed a quality chick feed until chickens are matured and then switch to a balanced layer crumble or pellet.
Like common breeds, rare chickens require proper shelter and heat and some rare breeds can be more sensitive to certain climates. An example would be Silkie chickens that may need protection from extreme cold. Flock owners should research each breed to learn about specific needs.
Integrating Rare Chicken Breeds into an Existing Flock
Rare breeds blend in well with existing flocks that have common breeds in them. Rarity of the chicken breed isn’t as important as what the chicken breed is. There are some chickens who are known for their dominance in a flock, but that is almost completely dependent on the flock itself. Each flock has its own personality. What may be a dominant chicken in one flock could be a timid chicken in another flock.
Even if you are interested in a smaller Bantam breed, these chickens usually do well in flocks with full-sized chickens. Most Bantam breeds usually have scrappy personalities that make up for the size difference.
Introduce a rare-breed chicken the same as you would any new bird. Baby chicks must be raised on their own until a minimum age of six weeks old before being introduced to the rest of your flock. If possible, wait until your pullets (young, non-laying hens) are 8-12 weeks old before making the introduction.
Grow Your Flock at IFA
IFA is your intermountain resource for all things chickens and poultry. Whether you want to grow your flock with popular egg-laying breeds or branch out with a rare breed, IFA is your expert stop.
Available chicken breeds vary by location, but during the spring you can find upwards of 40 different breeds at many IFA Country Stores. Contact your local IFA Country Store to find out what breeds are available and ask about special ordering chicks in the spring.
Information for this article was provided by Sandra Shupe, Poultry Dept. Manager, Ogden IFA Country Store; Maureen Goodrich, Office Manager, Logan IFA Country Store; and Terry Boren, IFA Poultry Category Manager.
Photo Credits: Hoover Hatchery, Jessica Baxter and Jason Holland