10 Exotic and Rare Chicken Breeds to Know

Chickens come in many sizes, colors, and temperaments, but rare chicken breeds offer unique traits and histories that go beyond the typical backyard bird. These breeds are prized for their unusual colors, unique feathering, and exciting personalities. Rare chickens are often more challenging to find, but they make a rewarding addition for poultry enthusiasts and help preserve genetic diversity in the species. Let’s discuss how to choose a rare poultry breed for your flock and the different care, temperaments, and feed requirements of exotic chicken breeds.

What Are Rare and Exotic Chicken Breeds?

Rare and exotic chicken breeds are hard to come by, often with distinctive features or backgrounds that make them stand out in any flock. Many rare breeds are ancient, tracing back hundreds of years and retaining physical and behavioral traits.

Rare Chicken Breeds to Know

Each breed offers something extraordinary, from colors and patterns to fascinating historical ties.

• Silkie

The Silkie, with its fluffy, fur-like feathers and calm personality, is beloved for its unique look. This breed hails from China and has dark skin, often blue or black. Silkies don’t lay many eggs, making them more of a companion or show bird than a prolific layer. They’re also known for their gentle demeanor, making them popular for families with young children running around.

• Ayam Cemani

Originating from Indonesia, the Ayam Cemani is often called the “Goth Chicken” for its all-black appearance. Not only are its feathers black, but so are everything else: skin, bones, and even its organs. This unique, bone-deep coloring is caused by a condition called fibromatosis. Ayam Cemanis are strikingly beautiful and friendly but can be skittish. They are kept mainly for their appearance, though they can also lay a moderate number of cream-colored eggs.

• Bantam

The term “bantam” refers to the size category rather than a specific breed, covering many miniature chicken types that require less space and feed. They have a range of personalities and appearances, and due to their small size, they are well-suited for urban flocks or hobbyists with limited space. While their eggs are smaller, bantams are loved for their friendly nature and the diversity they bring to your flock.

• Yokohama

Known for their long, flowing tails, Yokohamas originated in Japan and were later refined in Germany. Their snow-white feathers and elegant appearance make them a popular ornamental breed. Yokohamas do best in a free-range environment with plenty of space to roam. They are not prolific egg layers, laying about 80-100 eggs annually, but their beauty makes them a standout in any flock.

• Svart Hona

The Svart Hona is Sweden’s answer to the Ayam Cemani. This fibromelanistic breed has black skin, feathers, and meat, although it is friendlier and better suited to cold climates than its Indonesian counterpart. Svart Hona hens are good layers and excellent foragers, making them a practical yet rare addition to any flock.

• Modern Game

Modern Game chickens are a tall, slender breed initially developed in the UK for cockfighting, though they’re now primarily ornamental birds. Their unusual height and lean physique add an eccentric touch to any flock. They need a warm coop in winter since they don’t have the down feathers that provide insulation. Due to their assertive personalities, they may not mix well with more docile chicken breeds.

• Onagadori

With tail feathers that can reach over 20 feet in length, the Japanese Onagadori is a true spectacle. This breed is so rare that the Japanese government has designated it a National Natural Treasure. Given their unique appearance and extensive need for maintenance, including, but not limited to, special grooming and unique housing requirements due to their long tail feathers, Onagadori chickens are kept primarily for exhibition.

• Campine

A rare Belgian breed, Campines are small, active, and well-suited to warm climates. They serve two practical purposes: They are excellent layers for a rare breed and lay a decent number of white eggs. Unfortunately, they are not well suited for colder areas and need extra care for winter climates. These desirable birds are well known for their inquisitive natures and enjoy a free-range environment with plenty of foraging opportunities.

• Sultan

The Sultan, a Turkish breed, is famous for its opulent appearance. It features a full crest, feathered feet, and extra toes. Sultan chickens are renowned for their white features and contrasting blue skin, making them truly one of a kind in the poultry world. Sultans are calm and gentle birds, but tend to be bullied by more assertive breeds, so they do best with other docile chickens.

Should I Add an Exotic Chicken Breed to My Flock?

Adding a rare or exotic breed to your flock can bring new energy, unique aesthetics, and variety to your backyard flock. However, before you disrupt your backyard social ecosystem, take the breed’s characteristics into account:

• Climate Suitability: Some of the rarer breeds, like La Fleche and Campine, are better suited for warmer climates and struggle in colder weather. On the other hand, cold-hardy breeds like Hedemora aren’t well suited to hot summers.
• Egg Production: If you’re looking for an exotic breed that also lays well, double-check each breed’s egg production. Several rarer breeds, such as the Sultan and Yokohama, are more ornamental and lay fewer eggs than backyard hens.
• Temperament: You’ll often find exotic breeds of chickens to be on the more nervous or assertive side of the chicken mood spectrum and may not mix well with other breeds. Be sure to evaluate the social dynamics of your current flock and any potential exotic additions before taking the plunge.
• Space Requirements: Breeds with long tails or unusual plumage, like the Onagadori or the Yokohama breeds, need much more space than regular chickens to preserve their remarkable plumage. Also, some breeds with spectacular feathers need regular grooming.

These beautiful and unique breeds can be incredibly satisfying for small farmers or backyard hobbyists committed to preserving genetic diversity and having the resources to maintain more complex birds. However, it’s essential to thoroughly research each breed you plan on acquiring so you understand their unique care needs and any extra time required to maintain them.

Explore Chicken Feed Options from Kalmbach Feeds

Kalmbach Feeds offers a range of specially formulated chicken feed that meets the nutritional needs of all types of chickens, from exotic breeds to standard layers. Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining rare chicken breeds’ unique qualities and health. Explore Kalmbach Feeds’ high-quality poultry feed options so you can keep your exotic chickens healthy, happy, and beautiful.