Chickens with crazy hair on their heads aren’t just a figment of your imagination — they’re real and spectacular! These feathery friends turn heads with their wild hairdos, making them stand out in the avian world.
In this article, we’ve rounded up 16 examples of crazy-haired and amusingly funny chickens that will make you do a double-take.
We’ll also provide some additional info and fun facts about these birds so that you can appreciate them even more.
16 Chickens With Crazy or Funny Hair on Head
1. Silkie
Purpose: | Meat, eggs, ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 1.5–3 lbs (0.7–1.7 kg) |
Egg Production: | 100–120 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Medium to high |
Lifespan: | 7–9 years |
Temperament: | Gentle, docile, and friendly |
Special Features: | Fur-like feathers, black skin, feathered legs, five-toed feet |
First on the list is the Silkie chicken. These fowls are renowned for their distinctive, fluffy crests, which give them the appearance of wearing a fuzzy headdress.
Beyond their crazy hair, though, Silkies have several other notable physical characteristics. They possess black skin, which is unusual among chicken breeds, as well as feathery legs and five-toed feet.
In terms of productivity, these chickens are moderate layers. They produce about 100 to 120 eggs annually. Further, their broodiness is medium to high, meaning they have a strong inclination to hatch and raise chicks.
On another note, Silkie chickens are known for their gentle, docile, and friendly temperament. This makes them ideal, particularly for beginners in poultry-keeping and families with children.
Fun Fact: Silkies have rich origins. They are one of the oldest known funny-haired chicken breeds, with a history spanning at least a thousand years.
2. Frizzle
Purpose: | Exhibition, ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 5–8 lbs (2.7–3.6 kg) |
Egg Production: | 120–150 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | High |
Lifespan: | 6–8 years |
Temperament: | Docile, friendly, sweet, and gentle |
Special Features: | Curled feathers, come in many colorways, clean feet and legs |
The frizzle chicken is immediately recognizable by its unique, curling feathers. Yet, note that this striking trait, which gives these birds a distinct and amusing appearance, is not specific to any one breed.
Instead, it manifests in various chicken species. These include the Polish, Pekin, Cochin, Plymouth Rock, Japanese, and Orpington.
Additionally, the coloration of frizzle chickens is as varied as their breeds. They come in a wide range of colors, including white, buff, blue, red, brown, black, silver-gray, and even combinations of these colors.
Regarding productivity, these fowls are reasonably good egg layers, producing between 120 and 150 eggs per year. Plus, their lifespan typically ranges from 6 to 8 years.
Fun Fact: A fascinating aspect of frizzle chickens is the genetic basis of their curly feathers. A study in 2012 pinpointed the KRT75 or the F gene as the key to their unique feather structure.
3. Crevecoeur
Purpose: | Meat, eggs, ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 6.5–8 lbs (2.9–3.6 kg) |
Egg Production: | 120–150 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low to medium |
Lifespan: | 5–8 years |
Temperament: | Very calm, quiet, sweet, and friendly |
Special Features: | Horn-shaped comb, afro-like crest |
Originating from France, the Crevecoeur chicken is notable for its unique Afro-like crest, which immediately grabs attention. This is coupled with their “V” shaped comb, further distinguishing them from other breeds.
We got some funny-looking Crevecoeurs one spring. With their puffy feathers, they looked like they’d stuck their heads in wind tunnels! But they were the sweetest little things, letting us pick them up without a fuss.
In addition, our family enjoyed having fresh eggs, thanks to those silly-haired chickens. In particular, I noticed that each of them can lay approximately 120 to 150 eggs per year.
However, I found that Crevecoeur hens sometimes don’t incubate their eggs well. Yet, when they do sit on their eggs properly and hatch out chicks, they make incredibly good mothers.
Here is a video of what crazy-haired Crevecoeur chickens look like in action:
4. Houdan
Purpose: | Meat, eggs |
Adult Weight: | 5–8 lbs (2.3–3.6 kg) |
Egg Production: | 150–200 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low to medium |
Lifespan: | 7–8 years |
Temperament: | Incredibly gentle, friendly, and affectionate |
Special Features: | Butterfly or V-shaped comb, fluffy crest, five-toed feet |
Another breed native to France is the Houdan. These birds are regarded for the crazy hair on their heads. Plus, they stand out for their unique features, including beards, muffs, butterfly or V-shaped combs, and five-toed feet.
When it comes to behavior, Houdan chickens are incredibly gentle, friendly, and affectionate fowls. They are known for their sociable nature, which makes them a favorite among poultry enthusiasts.
Yet, note that broodiness in Houdans varies depending on the strain. For instance, American strains — which are generally smaller — are more suited to hatching eggs.
In contrast, larger strains tend to be too big and stocky, which can lead to accidentally breaking eggs while sitting on them.
5. Polverara
Purpose: | Meat, eggs |
Adult Weight: | 4–6.2 lbs (1.8–2.8 kg) |
Egg Production: | Up to 150 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low |
Temperament: | Easily tameable, docile, and amiable |
Special Features: | Crown-like comb, spiky crest, white skin |
Also called Gallina di Polverara, Schiatta, or Sciata, the Polverara is another chicken breed famous for its funny hairdo. They also boast unique horn-like combs, which adds to their unusual appearance.
With regard to pigmentation, there are two recognized color varieties of these fowls: black and white.
In a different vein, Polveraras are popular for being easily tameable, docile, and amiable. They wouldn’t hurt a fly and would happily share their space with other animals.
On top of that, they produce up to 200 eggs per year, so they’re great if you want a pretty reliable egg-laying machine.
Fun Fact: Polveraras are born without their distinctive broom-like crests. As they mature, however, the feature develops and adds an element of surprise to their overall build.
6. Brabanter
Purpose: | Meat, eggs, ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 4–7.5 lbs (1.8–3.4 kg) |
Egg Production: | 150–200 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low to medium |
Lifespan: | 5–8 years |
Temperament: | Intelligent, calm, friendly, and docile |
Special Features: | V-shaped comb, spiky crest, tiny wattles |
Known in its native Dutch as Brabançonne, the Brabanter chicken is instantly discernible with its wild, funny-looking hair atop its head.
However, besides their distinctive crest, Brabanters have horn-like combs and small wattles that contribute to their already striking look.
Still, one should note that these chickens aren’t only about appearances; they are smart, calm, friendly, and docile. They’re also known for being particularly adept at evading predators, a valuable trait for outdoor flocks.
Basically, Brabanters serve various purposes today. They are raised for meat and eggs, and their ornamental build makes them popular in shows.
Concerning care, while these crazy-haired chickens can handle confinement, they thrive best with plenty of room. Ideally, each Brabanter should have at least eight square feet of run space to stay healthy and happy.
7. Appenzeller Spitzhauben
Purpose: | Eggs |
Adult Weight: | 3.5–4.5 lbs (1.6–2 kg) |
Egg Production: | 150–180 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low to medium |
Lifespan: | 6–8 years |
Temperament: | Alert, active, flighty, and can be pretty aggressive |
Special Features: | White-tinted skin, blue legs, forward-facing crest, Dalmatian-like dots |
Originating from Switzerland’s Appenzell region, the Appenzeller Spitzhauben chicken is highly sought-after due to its forward-pointing crest. In fact, this quirky feature is the first thing you’ll notice about these chickens.
Apart from that, however, Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens have a variety of other noteworthy traits. They also flaunt white-tinted skin, blue legs, and down feathers with Dalmatian-like spots.
Although not recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA), these fowls make up for it with moderate egg production. Specifically, they can lay around 150 to 180 eggs yearly.
8. Pavlovskaya
Purpose: | Ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 3–4 lbs (1.4–1.8 kg) |
Egg Production: | 70–90 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Medium to high |
Lifespan: | 5–8 years |
Temperament: | Extremely docile, sociable, and laidback |
Special Features: | Heavily feathered from head to toe, plumed crest, motley patterning |
Hailing from Russia, the Pavlovskaya chicken is recognized for its plumed crest. These ancient fowls are also heavily feathered from head to toe, boasting a motley patterning.
Alongside their striking looks, though, Pavlovskayas are known for being extremely docile, sociable, and laidback. These personality traits make them ideal for those who seek a gentle and friendly feathered companion.
Today, these birds’ primary role is ornamental, as they produce only roughly 70 to 90 medium-sized eggs annually. However, they excel as brooders, which adds to their value in a poultry setting.
9. Easter Egger
Purpose: | Meat, eggs |
Adult Weight: | 4–7 lbs (1.8–3.2 kg) |
Egg Production: | 200–280 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Medium to high |
Lifespan: | 5–8 years |
Temperament: | Friendly, docile, curious, and gentle |
Special Features: | Poofy cheeks and beard, fluffy crest, feathered legs |
Favored for its multi-colored egg-laying abilities, the Easter Egger is another chicken that features a wild-looking crest. But note that they also possess poofy cheeks and beards alongside feathery legs.
One thing to keep in mind about Easter Eggers, though, is that they are not just one breed. In truth, they are a hybrid mix, including species like the Olive Egger, Steele Egger, Green Queen, and Starlight Green Egger.
Concerning temperament, these chickens are regarded as being friendly, docile, curious, and gentle. This makes them a delightful addition to any flock.
Furthermore, Easter Eggers are versatile, being raised for both meat and eggs. Impressively, they can produce up to 280 eggs a year.
Yet, when keeping Easter Egger chickens for their colorful eggs, remember that each hen consistently lays eggs of one specific shade. So, to enjoy a diverse palette of egg colors, it’s best to raise multiple hens.
10. Sultan
Purpose: | Ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 4–6 lbs (1.8–2.7 kg) |
Egg Production: | 50–100 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low |
Lifespan: | 5–8 years |
Temperament: | Calm, very friendly, slightly active, and affectionate |
Special Features: | Flesh-colored beak, large nostrils, feathered shanks and toes, five-toed feet, pompom-like crest |
Coming up is the Sultan chicken. These fowls are easily identifiable by their unique pom-pom-shaped hairdo. Along with that, they have flesh-colored beaks and large nostrils.
Moreover, Sultans are adorned with feathered shanks and toes and display the unusual feature of five-toed feet.
Once, we decided to add some of those crazy-haired Sultan chickens to our small farm. They strutted around like royalty with graceful plumes atop their heads. We called them our little chicken queens.
Despite the regal air, though, our Sultans loved snuggling with us. They followed us everywhere, hoping for petting and treats. Simply put, they turned out to be very mellow and friendly birds.
One thing to note about them, however, is their poor laying ability. They can only yield roughly 50 to 100 eggs per year. They are also known for being non-sitters, meaning they don’t sit on their eggs at all.
11. Cream Legbar
Purpose: | Eggs, ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 4.5–5.5 lbs (2–2.5 kg) |
Egg Production: | 150–230 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low |
Lifespan: | 5–10 years |
Temperament: | Alert, social, noisy, flighty, and responsive |
Special Features: | Auto-sexing breed, poofy crest, chipmunk-stripes |
The Cream Legbar chicken is recognized for its wild-looking crest, a characteristic that instantly draws attention.
In addition, Cream Legbars have a medium-sized, sleek, and elegant build. Their feathers are typically light cream in color, often adorned with contrasting patterns of barring or mottling, resembling chipmunk stripes.
Highly regarded for being alert and social, these fowls make energetic members of any flock. However, they are also known to be noisy, flighty, and responsive, which are traits that require consideration in a backyard setting.
In terms of productivity, Cream Legbars are prolific layers. They can produce 150 to 230 blue or green-colored eggs yearly.
Additionally, they are an auto-sexing breed, meaning their gender can be identified at hatching.
Fun Fact: A fascinating aspect about funny-haired chickens was revealed in a 2021 study, which found that a specific genetic duplication (197 bp) is necessary for the development of their large crest.
12. Padovana
Purpose: | Ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 3.5–5 lbs (1.6–2.3 kg) |
Egg Production: | 120–150 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low to medium |
Lifespan: | 6–10 years |
Temperament: | Docile, good-natured, friendly, and gentle |
Special Features: | Fanned-out crest |
Hailing from Italy, the Padovana, or Paduan del Gran Ciuffo, is another chicken that boasts a distinctive fanned-out crest. This feature makes them stand out in any flock, showcasing their Italian heritage.
Yet, Padovana chickens are not just beautiful to look at. Keep in mind that they are somewhat decent layers as well. As a matter of fact, they can produce between 120 and 150 eggs annually.
Their broodiness level is low to medium, either. This trait makes them more focused on egg-laying than hatching chicks.
Known for their docile, good-natured, friendly, and gentle disposition, Padovanas are excellent for backyard flocks and families. They are adaptable and easy to manage, ideal for both skilled and novice keepers.
Color-wise, these chickens come in a variety of shades, including white, black, and cuckoo.
13. Polish
Purpose: | Ornamental |
Adult Weight: | 4.5–6 lbs (2–2.7 kg) |
Egg Production: | 150–200 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low to medium |
Lifespan: | 6–8 years |
Temperament: | Skittish, friendly, energetic, and docile |
Special Features: | V-shaped comb, white earlobes, huge bouffant crest, upright tail feathers |
Next on this list of chickens with crazy hair on their heads is the Polish chicken. Basically, they are immediately recognizable by the untidy mop of feathers atop their domes.
In addition, Polish chickens come in a rainbow of colors, including black, white, buff, silver, and gold.
On top of that, they are known for being friendly, energetic, and docile, which makes them great companions for poultry enthusiasts.
However, it should be noted that despite their friendly nature, Polish chickens can be skittish. Their personality requires gentle handling and a calm environment.
Concerning egg production, they lay 150 to 200 eggs per year. Yet, most Polish chicken owners use them for ornamental purposes rather than consumption or profit-making ventures.
Fun Fact: Charles Darwin classified any crested chicken as “Polish,” likely because their head feathers resembled the crests on feathered caps worn by Polish soldiers.
14. Sanjak Longcrower
Purpose: | Meat, Eggs |
Adult Weight: | 6–10 lbs (2.7–4.5 kg) |
Egg Production: | 160–180 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Low to medium |
Temperament: | Submissive, active, calm, and manageable |
Special Features: | Yellowish-green legs, V-shaped comb, barbed crest |
From the Sanjak region of the former Yugoslavia, the Sanjak Longcrower is a rare chicken breed with an unusual-shaped crest. Generally, their appearance is both unusual and striking, drawing attention in any flock.
What sets Sanjak Longcrowers apart is not just their appearance, though. It’s their remarkable crow as well. They possess one of the longest crows among chickens, which lasts an incredible 15 to 30 seconds.
When it comes to egg production, the hens of this breed lay 160 to 180 eggs each year.
Furthermore, note that their temperament is as agreeable as their productivity. They are submissive, active, calm, and manageable, which makes them suitable for various poultry-keeping environments.
Beyond egg laying, Sanjak Longcrowers are also valued for meat production. They are fast growers, reaching weights of 6 to 10 pounds.
15. Naked Neck/Turken
Purpose: | Meat, eggs |
Adult Weight: | 6.5–8.5 lbs (2.9–3.9 kg) |
Egg Production: | 150–280 eggs per year |
Broodiness: | Medium to high |
Lifespan: | 7–10 years |
Temperament: | Active, vigorous, docile, and gentle |
Special Features: | Bare neck, small tuft of feathers atop its head, turkey-like appearance |
Also referred to as Turken, Churkey, or Turkin, the Naked Neck hails from Germany and features a unique-looking crest. To add to that, these chickens are often mistaken for miniature turkeys due to their bare necks.
Despite their unusual appearance, Naked Necks are practical members of any farmstead. They are versatile, being used for both meat and egg production.
To be specific, they lay an impressive 150 to 280 eggs per year, with a broodiness level ranging from medium to high. Plus, it has been noted that they are typically ready for slaughter in just 11 to 18 weeks.
With regard to temperament, Naked Necks are known for their active, vigorous, yet docile and gentle nature. This mix of traits makes them easy to manage and a joy to raise, whether in a backyard setting or on a farm.
16. Burmese
Purpose: | Meat, eggs |
Adult Weight: | 4.5–5.5 lbs (2–2.5 kg) |
Broodiness: | Medium to high |
Lifespan: | 6–8 years |
Temperament: | Quiet, friendly, docile, and athletic |
Special Features: | Heavily feathered limbs and feet, pointy crest, short legs |
Last on our list of breeds with crazy hair is the Burmese chicken, which originates from Myanmar. Also called Burmese Bantams, these birds are distinguished by their mini spiky crests.
Most commonly seen with white feathers, though occasionally in black, Burmese chickens are small in size but big in personality. In particular, they are quiet, friendly, docile, and surprisingly athletic.
As far as practicality goes, these fowls are notable for their dual-purpose functionality. Specifically, they can be raised either for meat or for eggs.
This versatility adds to their appeal, making them a reasonable choice for small-scale farming and backyard poultry-keeping.
Pro Tip: Potential Burmese chicken keepers should be aware that due to these chickens’ fluffy crests, they often rank lower in the pecking order when placed in mixed flocks.
It’s advisable to avoid mixing them with other breeds to prevent bullying and ensure their well-being.
What do you think about these chickens with crazy or funny hair on their heads? Feel free to share your opinions and any questions you may have in the comments below!
2 comments
Would love to know more about you and your chickens.
Thanks for your comment! Just to clarify, I don’t own these chickens but I love writing about their unique styles. I’m a big fan of all things chicken-related.