There are more than 50 breeds of chicken recognized by the American Poultry Association, and if you are looking for fluffy chicken breeds, we’ve got the perfect lineup. Join us while we go over each bird, offer you a few facts about it, and provide pictures so you can see how they differ in appearance.
The 13 Fluffiest Chicken Breeds
1. Silkie Chicken
| Size: | 2 – 3 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 7 – 9 years |
| Eggs: | 100 – 120 per year, small, cream-colored |
| Temperament: | Gentle, friendly, and docile |
The Silkie is the first chicken on our list. This breed has extremely fluffy feathers and some other unique traits. The skin under the feathers is black, as are its bones. This bird also has blue earlobes, which stand out no matter what color it is. It also has five toes on each foot, which is one more than most other breeds. It’s naturally inclined to incubate eggs, so many farmers use it to help incubate the eggs of different chicken breeds.
2. Frizzle Chicken
| Size: | 7 – 8 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 6 – 8 years |
| Eggs: | 150 – 180 per year, medium, brown |
| Temperament: | Friendly, social, and curious |
The Frizzle breed has curled, fluffy plumage. The history of this bird is unknown, but many experts believe they came from the Far East in the 1800s. While this bird is a good egg layer, owners primarily keep them to enter into award shows.
3. Sultan Chicken
| Size: | 5 – 6 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 6 – 8 years |
| Eggs: | 50 – 100 per year, small, white |
| Temperament: | Calm, affectionate, and ornamental |
The Sultan chicken is one of the more unique chicken breeds with feathers covering its feet. The Sultan is, in fact, the larger version of the Sultan Bantam. It will lay eggs, but owners primarily keep them as show birds to win award shows. The breed is known for being very calm and easy to care for, and you can even keep them as a pet.
4. Japanese Bantam
| Size: | 1 – 2 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 7 – 10 years |
| Eggs: | 50 – 100 per year, small, cream-colo |
| Temperament: | Gentle, curious, and easy to handle |
Japanese Bantams are tiny chickens with distinguishing features like their short legs and high, upright tails. They don’t have as much fluff as Silkies or Cochins, but their unique body shape and soft plumage give them a unique appearance. These birds are ideal for small spaces and are mainly kept for show. They are friendly, and gentle and are good for a low-maintenance pet chicken.
5. Polish Chicken
| Size: | 6 – 7 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 7 – 8 years |
| Eggs: | 150 – 200, medium, white |
| Temperament: | Friendly, docile, and quirky |
The Polish chicken is easy to identify with its large crest of feathers over its head. There are several different kinds of Polish chickens, including the Golden Polish and the Laced Polish. Their extravagant head feathers can sometimes get in the way of their eyes, affecting their vision which can make them easily startled or a bit skittish. Other than that, they are social birds that will thrive in backyard flocks and can become loving pet birds with proper care and regular handling.
6. Cochin Chicken
| Size: | 8 – 10 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8 – 10 years |
| Eggs: | 150 – 180 per year, medium, brown |
| Temperament: | Docile, affectionate, and friendly |
Cochin Bantams are another small and fluffy chicken. This breed is brightly colored, and there are feathers on its legs. Another unique trait about this chicken is that its skin is yellow. Owners usually bread the smaller Bantam Cochins as well as the standard size Cochins for exhibition.
7. Brahma Chicken
| Size: | 8 – 12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8 – 10 years |
| Eggs: | 150 – 200 per year, large, brown |
| Temperament: | Gentle, calm, and friendly |
Brahmas are large, and fluffy with feathered legs and a majestic appearance. Despite their size, they are very gentle and easygoing chickens. They are also cold-hardy, laying eggs throughout the winter months. Their laid-back temperament makes them a great addition to backyard flocks.
8. Wyandotte Chicken
| Size: | 6 – 8 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 6 – 12 years |
| Eggs: | 180 – 200, large, brown |
| Temperament: | Hardy, independent, and calm |
Wyandottes have thick, fluffy feathers with a laced pattern that sets them apart. These birds are cold-hardy and adaptable, making them a practical choice for egg production. They are relatively independent yet friendly enough to interact well with their owners.
9. Serama Chicken
| Size: | 1 – 1.2 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 6 – 10 years |
| Eggs: | 150 – 180 per year, tiny, white |
| Temperament: | Confident, friendly, and active |
Seramas are the world’s smallest chickens but have big personalities. While they’re not extremely fluffy, their upright stance and soft plumage give them a unique, bold look. They are social and affectionate, making them great pets.
10. Orpington Chicken
| Size: | 7 – 10 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8 – 10 years |
| Eggs: | 200 – 280 per year, large, brown |
| Temperament: | Gentle, affectionate, and easygoing |
Orpingtons are large, fluffy chickens with soft, full plumage. They are excellent layers with a calm and friendly temperament, making them perfect for backyard farms. This breed comes in a variety of colors, but the Buff Orpington is the most popular due to their golden color and friendly nature. Because of their gentle disposition, they are great for beginners and generally enjoy human interaction.
11. Mille Fleur d’Uccle
| Size: | 1 – 2 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 7 – 9 years |
| Eggs: | 100 – 150 per year, small, cream-color |
| Temperament: | Friendly, curious, and affectionate |
This tiny, feather-footed breed is a favorite among poultry enthusiasts with their beautiful, spotted plumage. Mille Fleur d’Uccles are affectionate and love being around people. Their name, which means “Thousand Flowers” in French, is a reflection of their lovely speckled pattern. They have a sweet, curious temperament and are often kept as pets.
12. Faverolles Chicken
| Size: | 6 – 8 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 5 – 7 years |
| Eggs: | 150 – 200 per year, medium, tinted |
| Temperament: | Playful, affectionate, and talkative |
Faverolles have fluffy beards, muffs, and feathered legs, making them extra soft and huggable. They are playful and enjoy interacting with humans. This is a unique breed as it has five toes, instead of the usual four, similar to Silkies and Sultans. Faverolles are social and do well in mixed flocks. They often become the most vocal and affectionate members of the group.
13. Ameraucana Chicken
| Size: | 5 – 7 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 7 – 8 years |
| Eggs: | 150 – 200 per year; medium, blue |
| Temperament: | Friendly, active, and intelligent |
The Ameraucana chicken is especially unique because not only is it fluffy, but it also lays blue eggs and is one of only a few chicken breeds to do so, collectively called Easter Eggers. There are eight different colors available in this breed, including black, blue, brown, and white. They are energetic, intelligent birds that enjoy foraging and will get along fine in free-range set-ups.
Conclusion
With so many fluffy chicken breeds, there’s surely something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a pet, an egg layer, or a showbird. Silkies, Sultans, or Cochins are the go-to fluffy choices, while Brahmas and Orpingtons also offer plenty of fluff while being great for egg production. Wyandotte and Faverolles are great options for first-time chicken owners, due to their friendly, low-maintenance nature.
We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect fluffy chicken for your home or farm. No matter which breed you choose, these soft and feathery birds are sure to bring charm and personality to your flock!
Related Reads:
- Hen vs Chicken: How To Tell The Difference (With Pictures)
- Black and White Chicken Breeds (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Thomas Martin–Creuzot, Shutterstock
