Feathered feet on chickens may look fancy, but they serve an important purpose – keeping chickens’ feet warm and dry While all chicken breeds have some feathering on their legs and toes, certain breeds are specifically known for having extra fluffy feathers on their feet. These creatively coiffed chickens not only have visual appeal, but also unique personalities and traits that make them wonderful backyard chickens

If you’re considering which chicken breeds have feathers on their feet. here are 8 beautiful options to choose from

1. Cochin

The Cochin is a very popular large, fluffy breed that originated in China but became popular in the UK and America in the mid-1800s. These chickens are easily identified by their profuse, fur-like feathering covering their legs and feet. The extra toe plumes help Cochins deal with cold and damp climates.

Cochins have calm personalities and are great for families with children. They also love to brood and can hatch and raise chicks of other breeds. While they lay a decent number of medium brown eggs, they aren’t the best egg layers. Cochins come in many color varieties including buff, partridge, white, silver laced, golden laced and blue.

2. Brahmas

Brahmas are another large, cold-hardy breed with abundant feathered feet. Originating from the Brahmaputra region between India and China these chickens were first bred for meat production but are also good layers.

Brahmas are gentle giants, even the roosters. Hens lay 3-4 large light brown eggs per week. With their small pea combs, Brahmas are an excellent breed for cold climates. They come in three color varieties: Light, Dark and Buff. A bantam Buff Brahma is also available.

3. Silkies

No other chicken breed has feathered feet quite as unique as the Silkies. Originating in Asia, Silkies have black skin, black bones, blue earlobes and hair-like plumage that feels like silk or satin. Their toes are adorned with cute poofs of feathers that make it look like they are wearing fluffy slippers.

Though they are poor egg layers, Silkies are fantastic broodies and mothers. Their calm, friendly personalities also make them wonderful pets and easy to handle. Silkies come in many color variations and can have beards or be “clean faced”.

4. Faverolles

This dual-purpose French breed is another fluffy-footed chicken with sweet temperament. Developed in the 19th century, Faverolles are good layers of light brown eggs, even through the winter months. They also produce quality meat.

Faverolles thrive as pets or free-rangers, and their salmon and white color patterns are most common. The hens are also good broodies. The profuse foot feathering helps protect Faverolles from cold, wet conditions.

5. Sultans

Sultans are a very decorative Turkish breed with abundant ornamental plumage from crests to foot feathers. They are small chickens only weighing around 4 pounds. While they don’t lay many eggs, just 2-3 small white eggs per week, Sultans are calm, friendly pets.

Their feathered feet help minimize contact with the ground. Sultans come in three color varieties: white, black and blue. With their fancy feathering, they do require some special care.

6. Cochins

Not to be confused with the Cochin, Cochins are another breed with feet feathering. Originating in China, Cochins are large dual purpose chickens weighing up to 10 pounds. The cockerels especially are valued for meat production. The hens lay a decent number of medium to large brown eggs.

Cochins are docile but are also hardy and active foragers when free ranged. Their soft feathered feet allow them to walk on snow. Cochins come in an array of color varieties including partridge, buff, golden laced, silver laced and blue.

7. Langshans

Hailing from China’s Langshan district, Langshans are a large, heavy soft feathered breed. The roosters can reach 10 pounds. Langshans are excellent layers of large brown eggs, even through the winter months. Their legs and toes are well-adorned with feathers.

Despite their size, Langshans have a reputation for being calm, quiet chickens. They are also great setters and mothers. Langshans tolerate confinement or free ranging. The most common colors are black, white and blue.

8. Belgian d’Uccle

Belgian d’Uccles, also called Booted Bantams, are a true bantam breed with heavily feathered feet. “Mille fleur” means “thousand flowers” in French, referring to the intricate color patterns on their feathers. Despite their small size, Belgian d’Uccles are surprisingly good egg layers producing small cream colored eggs.

These friendly chickens are easy to keep and make great pets, even for children. They do well in small spaces, but are occasional flyers. With their fancy foot feathering, Belgian d’Uccles certainly have visual appeal.

Conclusion

While all chickens have some degree of feathering on their feet and legs, certain breeds like Cochins, Brahmas and Silkies take it to the next level. Beyond just looks, the profuse plumage actually helps protect these chickens’ feet from cold and damp conditions.

With their calm personalities, most of these creatively coiffed breeds make great backyard chickens. So if you’re seeking chickens with feathered feet, consider one of these beautiful breeds that offer both form and function. Just beware they may track in a bit more mud and dirt!

Some chicken breeds naturally have feathers on their feet due to their genetics.