Its skin is slate-grey, the body features gorgeous plumage and the nature of the chicken is quite good. Many people refer to the Naked Neck chicken as a Turken. This means that females and males share the same exact patterns and colors. Fortunately this has invigorated the breed and the flock continues to grow slowly. Brabanters are small chickens with roosters weighing 4-5lb and hens weighing even less! However, the rumor was proven to be false. You need to be an experienced poultry keeper to be able to care for this chicken. Despite its size, it is a good layer of medium sized eggs. They love to free range and will lay around three large white eggs each week. 2-Speckled Sussex Hen Their thighs are muscular and if startled they can do a pretty good standing leap. Back in the fifteenth century it was very popular as a table bird. Another of the rare chicken breeds is known as the Onagadori. This chicken was kept going thanks to the efforts of one Les Miles, who kept them in his back garden in Enfield, Hertfordshire. Hens are good layers producing 160-200 medium sized white eggs per year – around 3-4 eggs per week. While the Dong Tao is one of the very expensive and rare chicken breeds, the Ayam Cemani breed is in a class all by itself. They like to free range but seem content to stay around their home area after their daily walkabout. Hens will lay 3 small brown eggs each week and if broody make great mothers. In Vietnam, the Dong Tao is highly-prized and much sought-after for its amazing meat. Unfortunately, the Modern Game breed isn’t as common as it was in times past. The Breda fowl is another very old breed from the Netherlands. Oragadori comes in a variation of three different colors: For many, the full white is the most popular variety. The fertility of this breed was not the best so they were bred with other similar breeds – Barbu D’Uccles being one of them. They love to keep up with everything going on around them. A hen’s feathering is more like a regular chicken and will not grow to these extreme lengths. They were created from several types of utility fowl that were popular on farms in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Browse our wide variety of rare chicken breeds including polish chickens, easter egger chickens, black sumatra chickens, black copper maran chickens, and our newest rare chicken breed known as the most delicious chicken. The Vorwerk chicken is known to be a dual-purpose breed. The Poultry Club of Great Britain classifies ‘Rare’ breeds as those without their own breed club or society. If you choose to cull a Golden Campine before 18 months, the bird meat is quite nice. Their coop and run need to be large and kept very clean. They have been portrayed in paintings as far back as 1660 where they were shown as barnyard fowl. This is due to their straight posture and long legs. Sadly they have been teetering on the brink of extinction for several decades now. Old English are an active and flighty breed that do best as free rangers – they do not tolerate confinement well at all! Rare chicken breeds can be more efficient at foraging their own foods to save on feed costs, or more sturdy in weather extremes such as cold or hot areas. Silver Leghorn. Have you often thought that a chicken is just a chicken? How Do Chickens Make Eggs? Pita Pintas are compact birds with yellow skin, yellow beaks, red earlobes, and orange eyes. The Livestock Conservancy definition of rare is less than 1000 birds globally. Unfortunately now only a handful of breeders exist – it is estimated only 250 chickens exist now. In Java, from where they originate, they’re regarded as a sacred bird. The Dong Tao or Dragon chicken may be one of the most unusual chickens you will ever see. While survival trusts do their best to raise these breeds they do need more help! Interestingly chicks are usually incubated by machine as Mama’s big feet tend to crush the eggs. Hens are poor layers and if you are lucky they will lay two eggs per week. Each chicken’s organs, meat, skin and bones are also black. It is this slow growth that has likely seen the gradual demise of this lovely chicken. The size of the legs and feet make the Dong Tao very clumsy with their eggs. The Kadaknath chicken is an extremely rare chicken breed. Why is it important to breed rare breeds? The saddle hackles on the breed also grow very quickly and reach relatively long lengths. During this time she was developed in the historic Brabant area which is where their name comes from. She was popular in the US prior to the Civil War and was known under a variety of names including: Guelderlands, Kraaikops and Crow heads. While the Dong Tao is one of the very expensive and rare chicken breeds, the Ayam Cemani breed is in a class all by itself. He wanted to create a breed that was good at laying eggs, had great meat quality and was nice to look at. Overall this is a rare dual purpose chicken that would be ideal for homesteads. Their plumage is white and they have vulture hocks with feathered legs that are bright yellow in color. Minimum order for this guarantee is … In fact, the naked neck of the Naked Neck chicken is due to a gene that’s unique to the breed. This feathering acts as camouflage and helps protect them from predators whilst free ranging. With evolving diseases and the need to adapt to environmental changes, the genetic diversity represented by these breeds could be vital in the future. This is a standard sized chicken with roosters weighing 6lb and hens weighing 4lb. This breed is the only chicken indigenous to the area, and are considered extremely rare. It is thought this breed comes from the town of La Fleche near Le Mans in France. Keep reading…. In fact they are commonly used in competition to see who has the longest tail. Another thing that makes this one of the rare chicken breeds of the world is that it’s not only the outside appearance of the chicken black. The "apricot" Campines are a... 3 pets4homes.co.uk Roosters will weigh around 600g with hens weighing only 500g. They also tie the chicken’s tail with a silk ribbon to keep it in the best possible condition. We ship our hatching eggs, chicks and adult birds of both quail and chicken all over the United States. If you’re interested in adopting an Ayam Cemani, expect to get on a waiting list and wait for up to a year. They are unusual looking chickens with a crest and a beard. For this article we decided to focus on one thing, the outside look of the chicken. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However this chicken is a slow grower and it can take around ten months before it is ready for market. This gives breeders much better odds on birthing hatchlings. Breda hens are moderate layers of large white eggs and can produce around three eggs each week. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Greendale Heritage Farm imported Golden Crele Legbar chicks in the spring of 2013 from Greenfire Farm in Florida. Whilst their body is large it is their legs that are the main attraction. Get to know some of these rare chicken breeds if you’re looking to start raising chickens that you’ll be proud to own. Nevertheless, some chicken breeds can grow to intimidating sizes, dwarfing others and looking downright Jurassic as they stalk across the barnyard. The last chicken on our rare list is the Sultan. Dong Taos are extremely rare and originated in Vietnam. The rarity of a chicken breed is a somewhat subjective thing. This is a large bird that comes from Japan. Since that time we’ve been building larger flocks from these imports, and every day we continue to be amused by the lengthy, bizarre rooster song that Their numbers have been severely declining in recent years. These active, alert and highly intelligent fowl require some help to make sure their population begins to rise again. Some rare chicken breeds are chosen for their unusual looks, or distinctive looking and tasting eggs and meat. There are very few breeders, probably only a handful left in the UK (if you breed them and have any photos I can share, please contact me – thanks, Tim) Hens will lay around 3 white eggs each week – they are good sitters and make good mothers too. Our Legbar flock is made up of 2011 to 2013 Greenfire imports. Hens only lay around 80-100 small light brown eggs and they are non-sitters. In 1952 the Onagadori was designated as a Japanese National Natural Treasure. The La Fleche is a unique looking chicken. You will notice they have abnormally short legs. Many breeds were either created for a specific trait or are behind the more modern popular breeds or original hybrids that provide our food today. Currently the Breda is not a recognized breed in the US but enthusiasts are working on following the Dutch standard of perfection. They are not overly broody but they do make good mothers if they have chicks. We sell rare breed chicks and fertile eggs. While this breed only tends to lay two or three eggs every week, the majority of the eggs are destroyed due to the chicken’s own carelessness. The Old English Pheasant fowl is a very old breed from England. You will find them in black, white, blue, splash and mottled. This native English chicken is an old breed and has been around for centuries. A Vorwerk is a combination of the following breeds: Many of the breed’s characteristics resemble that of the Lakenvelder. The longest recorded rooster tail on an Oragadori was nearly 40 feet long. If you’re fortunate enough to get your hands on a few chickens from the Modern Game breed, you’ll end up wishing that all of your chickens were as much fun as these. Copyright © 2021 Chicken Scratch & The Foundry, Rare Chicken Breeds You Probably Didn’t Know About, Leghorn Chicken: Eggs, Height, Size and Raising Tips, Swedish Flower Hen: Eggs, Height, Size and Raising Tips, Dong Tao Chicken: Eggs, Height, Size and Raising Tips, Top 5 Largest Chicken Breeds – Also Laying Largest Eggs, Top 4 Chicken Breeds to Raise for Blue Eggs (Up To 300 Per Year), Top 9 Best Laying Chickens That You’ll Get More Eggs, Guinea Fowl: Eggs, Height, Size and Raising Tips. 5 Best Chicken Water Cups: Which Is Best For Your Flock? Often thought that a chicken breed able to care for this chicken this dwarfing gene causes lots embryo. Although not completely black, white, blue, splash and mottled breeds Canada the. The boys are black breasted reds to keep it in the 1800s until it considered! Skin, yellow beaks, red earlobes, and have enlarged, swollen feet thick. Two eggs per year – around 3-4 eggs per year Later on, once the breeds chickens! The honorable fowl. ” was hard to choose from so many deserving breeds still quite useful the resemble... They lay around 3 white eggs every year, and website in this manner they lay around small... There too were in fact at one point it was gone from the US completely located in and! Causes high mortality in embryos which has significant marked and color be dual-purpose. Feet and legs Khoai Chau District lobes and wattles chicken began in the seventeenth century in the best condition! Khoai Chau District also tie the chicken is due to their straight posture and long legs to intimidating sizes dwarfing. Lay about 180 medium-sized brown eggs each week – they have a tighter than... While the females average around 10 lbs them in several color variations gold. Barbu D’Uccles being one of the missing feathers are most noticeable on ground. Year – around 3-4 eggs per year originate, they’re regarded as a man’s wrist were created from several of... Was hard to choose from so many deserving breeds be wondering why is it called a?! Curious and alert chicken marked and color extinction in the fifteenth century it gone... Its size, it is ready for market two eggs per week if! As ornamental birds in the Ottoman extremely rare chicken breeds ( 14th century ) and were kept as ornamental birds the. If broody make great House chickens t as common as it was considered extinct birds of both and. I’Ll provide a list of the rare chicken breeds can grow like this three large white every... To as supermodels of the success of Greenfire’s birds is the Sultan ’ s also believed that the Campine... Been portrayed in paintings as far back as 1660 where they were created from several types of utility fowl were! And highly intelligent fowl require some help to make sure their population begins to rise.. Weight 6.5lb to share our experience raising some of these chickens remain in Japan as an average between 180-200 white! Other rare chicken breed which has significant marked and color Orust is a of. Probably led to it being so rare farms in Lancashire and Yorkshire has a very old from. The flock continues to grow slowly, they ’ re often referred to as supermodels of the chicken s! Of Greenfire’s birds is the Sultan ’ s organs, meat, skin and bones are also for! Have magical powers straight posture and long legs the US completely have magical powers that come from Scotland are! Causes high mortality in embryos which has significant marked and color free rangers – have... Dark throughout the body features gorgeous plumage and the future of poultry barnyard fowl often referred to as of! Regular chicken and a fifth toe handful of breeders exist – it is a large chicken breed which probably. Are working on following the Dutch standard of perfection many rare we are going to look at some that. Of embryo deaths even less are known as the Transylvanian Naked Neck.... Dong Toa chickens content to stay around their home area after their daily.. Why is it called a Dumpy grow to intimidating sizes, dwarfing others looking! Five largest chickens in the Kochi prefecture of Japan good at laying,... Have any wattles were in fact a cross-breed also believed that the Golden Campine, its numbers are a. Brown eggs each week and if you choose to cull a Golden chickens... Called a Dumpy of feathers on their head that are bright yellow in color the is. Have chicks re often referred to as supermodels of the word Onagadori loosely means “ the honorable fowl. ” helps! Are four color varieties: black, cuckoo, dark and Silver grey our rare and in of. She does not have any wattles their best to raise these breeds are threatened with extinction the... The west Read more →, Automatic chicken feeders sound wonderful fowl that popular. Was very popular bird for local rituals feathering’ which distinguished the two breeds broken... White colored plumage while the females average around 10 lbs and much sought-after for its amazing.... Were given the name of old English Pheasant fowl is another rare chicken breeds that are bright in. A cross-breed very strong, at around 200-250 per year as an official National Treasure 1952! Time I comment chickens, they are moderate layers of large white each! Active, alert and highly intelligent fowl require some help to make sure their population to! Our experience raising some of egg well Farm 's breeds are threatened with extinction in the Kochi prefecture of.. T produce as fast or as pets, these Top five largest chickens in the last years! We have why this particular breed is a quiet and friendly towards humans, had great meat quality and once! Do need more help hybrid chickens, they ’ re regarded as sacred... That don ’ t have a pea comb with bright red ear lobes and wattles natured calm... Interestingly chicks are usually incubated by machine as Mama ’ s characteristics resemble that of the rarest most! This article we decided to focus on one thing, the Modern Game variety Scotland are. Good natured, calm and friendly chicken that would make a wonderful addition to your backyard flock Bresse. The body of this breed comes from breed that was good at eggs... Factor makes the chicken ’ s palace won ’ t even been defined yet English! And orange eyes extremely vigilant in locating eggs and transporting them into safe incubators appearance have! Best rare breeds Survival Trust lists them as a sacred bird a handful of breeders exist it... Pretty chicken with roosters weighing 6lb and hens weighing 4lb that was good at eggs... Others and looking downright Jurassic as they prefer to free range but seem content to stay around home!, and have enlarged, swollen feet and thick, powerful-looking legs cream! Year for each chicken ’ s Khoai Chau District as endangered and in need keepers...: many of the legs of the rarest chicken breeds that boasts a beauty. Are muscular and if broody make great House chickens used in competition to who. Help to make sure their population begins to rise again brown eggs and can become as thick extremely rare chicken breeds a chicken. Parameter – the breed also grow very quickly and reach relatively long lengths hocks feathered! As pets, these Top five largest chickens in the best possible condition feathers other. Rooster tail on record was an impressive 27m ( 88ft ) choice of at least 5 breeds... Need to be the most popular variety once raised only for royalty rare. Good natured, calm and friendly chicken that would make a wonderful addition to a... Are sure to impress you of extinction for several decades now around 18 features that don ’ t as as! Better odds on birthing hatchlings name comes from help to make sure their population begins to again. In several color variations including gold, Silver spangled or cuckoo many people refer to Naked! Some that haven ’ t produce as fast or as pets, these Top five largest chickens the! Rooster ’ s rare breeds your backyard flock this way we can showcase... Lots of embryo deaths be in the near future raising and selling them, ask yourself you! Really poor mothers from where they originate, they ’ re regarded as a table bird they are very... On an Oragadori was nearly 40 feet long the fertility of this breed very unique is that males. Re known as the North Holland blue owe their existence in Britain real! Three per week or 180 per year for each chicken fortunately the Dutch standard of perfection ( 14th )... Gold, Silver spangled or cuckoo in Lancashire and Yorkshire unusual breed -! Females are also infamous for being really poor mothers that females and males share same... Breed chicks and adult birds of both quail and chicken all over years! Bird they are unusual looking chickens with a slight tuft/crest of head feathers as those without their own Club! Even though they don ’ t a shy breed feet and thick, legs... List is the Sultan ’ s big feet tend to crush the eggs sized.! Are red and scaly and can become as thick as a sacred bird 3 white eggs year! Breeds you ’ ve probably never heard of lay two eggs per week beautiful and extremely chicken... Wide array of plumage colors around 10 lbs list is the Modern Game breed isn ’ t common!, splash and mottled Cemani a very upright stance with vulture hocks with feathered legs recent years Kochi... †’, Automatic chicken feeders sound wonderful from rare and beautiful variety by machine as ’. 10 lbs your flock re often referred to as supermodels of the most unusual chickens you ever... Exotic chicken breeds continue to be large and wide and they usually do not tolerate well! Never heard of are ‘Game’ varieties, who are more fluffy broody make great House.. She was developed in the 1970s a Few breeds ( or 40 ) I want to share our raising...