Whether tending a backyard microflock or working a small - scurf hobby farm , as domestic fowl proprietor we typically have a objective pass our selection of breed . Regardless of the destination — egg , meat and preservation breeding are usual — a variety of birds exists to fit our needs .
A question I ’ve received with increasing frequency over the past brace of years , however , signal growing popularity in raising poultry for another purpose : dish . And while peacock , pheasants and swans definitely add feathered elegance to our flocks , heart - catch domesticated poultry have sparkle people ’s interest of late .
Looking to add an likeable aesthetic to your quite a little ? Consider observe one of these four breeds of endangered cosmetic chicken breed .
Polish
The dean of cosmetic snort , the Polish chicken ( image above ) top the list of ornamental poulet breeds .
With its distinctive umbrella ( or pompom , for female person ) top of feathers , the Polish looks like a Hollywood starlet sporting an elaborate headgear .
Bearded Polish , with full muff and beard , pack an additional biff in the eye - catching department .
You ’ll see Polish in solids such as white , golden and blue . But they pop when sporting crests in colors that contrast their consistency , such as white-hot - plumed cuckoo and black - crested albumen . Members of thePolish Breeders Club , the strain ’s interior organization , continually shape on color projects such as black - crest blue and black - crested buff to expand the breed ’s mixture .
front for laced feathering ? Silver- and buff - laced Polish are recognise by theAmerican Poultry Association(APA ) .
desire something even more spectacular ? Look for a stock breeder specializing in frizzled Polish . The additional waves and whorl of frizzle feather take the Polish ’s appearance to beyond outstanding .
One authoritative tone : the breed ’s distinctive crest often obscures the Polish ’s eyesight . This do them to startle easily and to not be aware of approaching piranha .
Conservation Priority status : Watch
Read about a life - alter Buff Polish hen name Hedy .
Cochin
Queen Victoria ’s favorite breed of Gallus gallus , the heavily feathered Cochin resembles a walking puffball . The feather continues right down to its toes , covering almost every inch of the Cochin .
One of the breed ’s most obtrusive — and prized — features is its bun : the curved , well - rounded hassock of feathers that comprise its tail .
Despite its obese show — or perhaps because of it — Cochins tend to saunter in a slow , stately manner , almost as if they do it they ’re drawing everyone ’s attention .
More than 15 colouring material mixed bag are recognized by the APA , including silver penciled , lemon blue , buff Columbian and mottled . Like the Polish , the Cochin can also be frizzled .
Microflock owners will be happy to hear that these well-disposed , gentle birds are available in bantam size , perfect for backyard .
Conservation Priority condition : Recovering
Sumatra
If the Polish is a Hollywood starlet , the Sumatra is an Imperial Majesty , trailing a gorgeous long cloak of tail plume behind them . Its upright equipage and gentle strut add to the strain ’s elegance .
While available in blue and clean varieties , it ’s the Black Sumatra that is the true stunner , with plumage so magnificently iridescent that the bird gleams a bright green in the sunlight .
Its tiny pea plant combing and almost imperceptible wattles and earlobes make the stock quite cold tolerant , but to keep its beautiful butt from becoming draggle due to snow and slush the Sumatra will require a cover up test . Even in warmer climates , a roof - over trial is highly recommend as this stock is a gifted mellow flier .
The Sumatra cock will devotedly protect his hens — even those of other stock — but prepare for fireworks if you keep more than one Sumatra male person .
Appenzeller
With beautiful black diamante on snowy white or golden feathers and a typical V - shaped comb , the Appenzeller is definitely a show - stop bird . The female ’s Phyllis Dilleresque head feathers and the male ’s mohawk look literally add a crowning touch to this prominent breed .
Despite its exquisite elegance , the Appenzeller is not for every poultry fancier as it retain several traits from its hobo camp - fowl predecessor : it flies well , roosts high in tree , and is a fantastic and thorough forager . In scant , this is a bird that needs plenty of infinite .
remark : The APA does not recognize the Appenzeller .
Conservation Priority status : the Spitzhauben variety of the Appenzeller — the only variety find out in the United States — is Threatened .
Sidebar: Understanding Conservation Priority Status
The Conservation Priority List was established and is sustain by the Livestock Conservancy . parameter for the ornamental crybaby breed and other species on the inclination are as follows :
