Sultan

A White Sultan Hen stands in front of a blue background.

Sultans are at the very height of ornamental oddity in the chicken world. Not only do they have a froofy cascade of feathers on top of their head, a v-shaped comb, muffs, a beard, and 5 toes instead of the usual 4, they're even feather-footed! They've been chic ever since the sultans of Ottoman Empire would keep them in their gardens. The one pictured below is molting - normally their crests are fuller. They are wonderful for show, because their "attire" is so impressive and outlandish. They're also very calm birds--on the show floor this translates to "easier for poultry judges to handle."

Origins/History:

Class: All Other Breeds
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Small (4-5 lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Ornamental
Recognized Varieties: White

Egg Facts:

Egg Laying: Poor (1/wk)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: Small

Fancy Features:

Comb Type: V-Shape Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: Yes
Number of Toes: 5

Suitability to Backyard Life:

Cold Hardiness: Not cold hardy
Heat Tolerance: Tolerates heat well
Bears Confinement: Bears confinement well
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Super tame and calm