Jan 05 2009
Unusual Chicken Breeds
Looking for something a little more interesting for your farm instead of the tried-and-true chicken varieties? If unusual chicken breeds don’t scare you off, there are a few breeds that are catching on in the United States that may be just what you’re looking for. The following breeds are popping up at shows and county fairs, perhaps even in your neck of the woods:
Frizzle- the name says it all. These large chickens look like they were thrown in the drier and their feathers ended up frizzled-looking. Talk about ruffled feathers- and then some!
Yokohama- these beautiful chickens require special pens with high perches. Their tails can grow up to three feet long! They are white with red shoulders or just white. A worthwhile bird if you don’t mind the extra maintenance.
Sumatra - these birds are on the critical watch list, so if you have the opportunity to raise them, please do so. They have beautiful, elongated tails and come in black and a blue variety. Their plumage is a greenish-black and is often called the most beautiful of all the black plumed varieties.
Shamo - what may be the most striking feature about this particular bird is its height- up to three feet tall. In addition, they have large eyes that seem to follow your every move. They look like game birds, but are considered tame and friendly.
Naked Neck- definiely an odd looking bird, with necks as you’d expect- free from feathers. It goes by several other names, like Churkey, Old Welsh and Turken. It has considerably less feathers than other chicken breeds, which make it ideal as a meat chicken.
Interested in finding some of these breeds for your small farm? Check out Murray McMurray hatchery and see what’s available this coming year.
~~Charlotte
