15 Most Fluffy Chicken Breeds

The American Poultry Association has recognized more than 50 chicken breeds since it was founded. Among those breeds, as well as those the APA has not acknowledged, there are chickens who have a lot of attitude. And by attitude, we mean fluff. Check out these 15 most fluffy chicken breeds to see if one is right for you.

1. Silkie Chickens

Silkies are the fluffiest chicken breed out there, hands down. Coming from China, these tiny chickens have fuzz all over their bodies, including the crest on their heads. They look a little like cotton balls but with talons. Silkies also have feathers that cover their faces. This can interfere with their sight, and so they are not the best breed for free-roaming. It is best to trim the feathers away from their eyes.

Silkies are known for being sweet, calm, and docile. For that reason alone, people love these chickens. Silkies may not be the best at laying eggs, but they make for excellent brooders. If a Silkie can’t hatch an egg, it’s not going to hatch.

These birds also have a few other unique features, including blue earlobes and black skin under their plumage. Silkies also have black-tinged bones.

2. Frizzle Chickens

Did you know that Frizzle chickens are not of any breed? When a chicken is called a Frizzle, it is describing the way the feathers lay on the chicken’s body. Frizzled feathers do not have the barbicles that allow plumage to lay flat against the body, so the feathers instead curl up and away. While this means that the chicken has a harder time regulating their body temperature, it is undeniably cute.

If you bring home a chicken with frizzled feathers, just know that they are going to need some extra TLC to stay healthy.

3. Cochin Bantam Chickens

A bantam-sized Cochin chicken is exactly like the standard Cochin but smaller. This makes them infinitely cuter and more fluffy, too. Like Silkies, Cochins hail from China, though much of their popularity is centered in the US. Although Cochin chickens have a body similar to many other breeds, their feathers are thicker than average. This makes their bodies look much bigger than they actually are.

Cochin bantams are available in many colors, including gold-laced, silver-laced, red, partridge, buff, white, barred, blue, brown, and black.

These chickens are excellent brooders, thanks to all their fluff. If there are any eggs you would like to incubate, hand them over to your bantam Cochins.

4. Ameraucana Chicken

Known for their blue eggs and gorgeous feathers, the Ameraucana is a well-known breed. Originally developed in the 1970s, this breed is an offshoot of another popular chicken, the Araucana. These are medium-sized chickens with pea combs. Extremely resilient and calm, Ameraucanas are ideal for farms and homesteaders alike. They also have dozens of color options out there. Chicks also come in many colors.

Many Ameraucanas have beards and muffs that stand on end, giving them a fluffed up appearance. Their tails also stand upright, around 45 degrees. They look robust and almost hawk-like.

5. Dominique Chicken

Being that the Dominique is one of the oldest North American breeds, it has a following and is rather common on farms and in backyards. The Dominique deserves all the attention, too. Rarely aggressive and broody, the Dominique is a sweet chicken who is a prolific egg-producer. In fact, a happy Dominique hen can lay between 230-275 eggs per year.

The lovely black and white barred pattern on their feathers makes their already fluffy appearance more endearing. Their feathers are also popular for stuffing pillows and mattresses. Yes, anyone who owns a couple of Dominique chickens is very lucky, indeed.

6. Dorking Chicken

Is it fluff or just meat? It’s kind of hard to tell with the Dorking chicken, an ancient breed from the UK. This stout breed has short legs that are a little comical. Add on the dense feathers on their body, and they look like pillows. Dorking chickens have a lot of history, but they are considered rare these days. If you decide to bring one or a couple home, though, you won’t regret it. These are hard-working birds that like to forage for bugs and weeds.

Since they are submissive, they are prone to bullying. On the other hand, the hens are some of the best mothers you could give chicks. If you are looking for eggs, a Dorking hen lays around 170 a year. Overall, they are very tolerant and will love to be your friend.

7. Sultan Chicken

Once known as the Serai Taook, the Sultan breed comes from Turkey and has become a well-known name throughout the world. Sultan chickens, be they standard or bantam, have a distinct appearance. They have a light fluff on their bodies, beards, and muffs, as well as a ball-shaped fluffy crest atop their heads. In short, they are fluff balls.

Sultan chickens only come in one color: white. They also have feathered toes and shanks, making them look different from your average chicken. Full grown, a standard Sultan chicken weighs between 3.5-5.0 pounds. The bantam version weighs between 1 and 2 pounds.

8. Russian Orloff Chicken

The Russian Orloff is a beautiful bird that comes in a couple color variations, including black and white. This breed is characterized by its dense yet fluffy plumage around the neck and chest. Having been refined in Russia, this breed is built for colder climates. The fluffy feathers help insulate them. However, since they are only adapted to cold weather, they can suffer miserably in a warmer climate.

This breed is also known for having a sweet disposition. An adult Russian Orloff weighs between 7 and 9 pounds. Hens produce about 2 eggs a week or 100 a year, and they are also known for the quality of their meat.

9. Yokohama Chicken

Judging by the name, you would assume that the Yokohama breed belongs in Japan. While it is certainly popular in the Land of the Rising Sun, it actually comes from Germany. Yokohama chickens may not be fluffy in the literal sense, but they are dense in appearance and plumage. Their long tail feathers are their prized possession and can grow up to 20 inches in length. Feathers may also cover their legs and feet.

Yokohama chickens are often seen at shows and are an ornamental breed. If you plan on bringing one of these gorgeous birds home, do be aware that they can be aggressive. Yokohama chickens need a lot of space to roam about, and they do not handle confinement well. Also, they need perches to keep their tails from dragging on the ground throughout the day.

Also, you can watch these beautiful birds in this video:

10. Brabanter Chicken

Have you heard of this breed before? The Brabanter is a small Dutch and Belgian breed that resembles an Appenzeller chicken. They have a V-shaped crest on their head that is called the devil’s comb, as it looks like horns. The feathers face forward and grow vertically. They also have flared nostrils, tri-lobed muffs, and long beards. They also lack the domed skull knob present in many chicken breeds.

The Brabanter, admittedly, looks a little silly with its sleek black feathers and fluffy head and neck. That silliness does not carry to its personality, though. These chickens are known for being highly intelligent and collected. They like people — so much they may demand being held and coddled.

Look also at the rooster of this breed in motion!

11. Burmese Chicken

The Burmese chicken is native to Myanmar, once known as Burma. This breed is small, and they have short legs and fluffy but dense plumage. Pure white, Burmese chickens look regal. They have a crest of white, similar to the Polish chicken. Due to their pure white coloring, they need a mud-free area to run around.

Burmese chickens are not as well known as some other fluffy chicken breeds, but they should be on your radar. This breed is known for their brooding and egg-laying. Since the population has dwindled over the past years, it is important to let these chickens brood. Otherwise, you might have to say goodbye to this lovely breed.

If you were wondering, Burmese chickens are related to booted bantams. Due to being a bantam hybrid, they grow rapidly and reach peak fertility quickly.

12. Pavlovskaya Chicken

Check out the Pavlovskaya chicken, native to Russia. This breed is old and has tons of history. That said, the Pavlovskaya is rarely seen in Russia anymore, though it is found throughout Europe and North America. This breed has many distinguishing traits. They have a crazy crest on their head that looks like a fluffy hat that has been stuck with feathers in random places. Furthermore, they have a thick beard, fluffy ear muffs, and a thin covering of feathers on their legs and feet.

13. Polish Chicken

Here is a surprise: Polish chickens aren’t Polish. Their name is instead alluding to the huge fluffy crown that is reminiscent of what Polish soldiers once wore. Polish chickens have crests that look disheveled, almost like how Albert Einstein wore his hair. The feathers sometimes even cover the chicken’s eyes, making it difficult to see.

Polish chickens are available in an assortment of colors, including black and white, silver, golden, and buff-laced. They are between 5-7 pounds when fully grown. Even though Polish chickens are not the best at laying eggs or producing meat, they are loved for their calm demeanor and looks.

14. Houdan Chicken

The fluffy Houdan hails from France. These chickens are extraordinary, particularly because they have an extra toe. That’s right — Houdan chickens have 5 toes instead of 4. That can make them look peculiar among other breeds in your flock. That said, they are fun to have. The Houdan weighs between 6.5-8.0 pounds upon reaching maturity, and they are regularly used for showing or egg production. On average, a Houdan hen lays around 150 eggs annually.

But aside from that fifth toe, what makes a Houdan special? Its wild plumage. Like the Polish chicken, the Houdan has a fluffy, V-shaped crest upon its head. The speckling of black and white is also lovely, especially because that pattern repeats along their entire body.

15. Beijing You Chicken

Also called the Beijing Fatty for its plump appearance and fluff, this is one breed that is indescribably cute. The Beijing You has a broad head and body, as well as a plume of feathers upon its head. The small pea combs make the crest look even larger. Beijing You have golden bodies, and the tail feathers are tipped in black. Their feet and legs are also covered with feathers.

The Beijing You is a dual purpose breed for both laying eggs and producing meat. Hens can put out about 170 eggs per year. Those who have had it claim that Beijing You meat is delectable.

Now, there is something you should know. The Beijing You is a very rare breed — one that is on the endangered list even in China, their native country. Fertilized eggs are sought after, and so it may be difficult to acquire hatchlings or even a breeding pair. However, if you can, you will be able to sell the eggs and meat for a very high price, too.

Conclusion on Fluffy Chicken Breeds

As you have seen, there are over a dozen fuzzy chicken breeds out there. They are also some of the cutest and most fun to own. Most of these breeds are also beginner-friendly, so you can bring a new feathered friend home today, if you wanted. Hopefully, you have discovered a new breed or two in this list. So which fluffy chicken breed is your favorite?