10+ Fluffy Chicken Breeds

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Fluffy chicken breeds are absolutely adorable, and add a little something extra to you chicken coop.

This article is written by Rea Yoh, a freelance writer who grew up in rural Illinois, raising backyard chickens. She graduated with honors in Biology and Science, Technology, and Society from Brown University, and her background in research helps her get to the heart of any question. She has a passion for animals, the environment, and sustainable living.

Chickens might not be the first animal that you think of when you hear the word “gorgeous”, but I think there’s something uniquely beautiful about them. It’s mind-boggling to know how many shapes and sizes are out there for these lovely animals. Different colors, patterns and even feather types have exploded in the last century. One of the most fascinating results of geneticists at work in the hen house is the development of fluffy breeds of chicken.

From the dainty Silkie to the grand Brahma, fluffy chickens boast an abundance of soft, downy plumage that adds whimsy and beauty to any flock. If you’re wondering which of these feathered friends will make the best additions to your family, you’re in the right place. Here are ten of the fluffiest chicken breeds, their unique characteristics, and the joys they bring to chicken enthusiasts worldwide.

Have you ever touched a chicken? So soothing! As plenty of other companion chicken owners will agree, chickens are great pets. It’s even nicer to know that the fluffiest of fowl are some of the friendliest breeds you can keep.

List of the Fluffiest Chicken Breeds

Silkie
Orpington
Polish
Brahma
Polish
Sultan
Cochin
Houdan
Mille Fleur D’Uccle
Faverolle

I’ll also cover Frizzle chickens, which aren’t technically a separate breed, but rather a feather type that results in wild, curly, fluffy chicken feathers. With the right cross breeding, you can get a frizzle version of most chicken breeds.

Silkie

At the top of our list is the quintessential fluffy chicken, the beloved Silkie.

Silkie chickens are instantly recognizable by their wispy plumage, which resembles soft, silky fur rather than traditional feathers. Their feathers lack the barbs found in the feathers of other chicken breeds, so their feathers fly freely, giving them a fluffy, downy appearance that is soft to the touch.

They’re also covered in fluff from head to toe, with pom-pom feather hats and fuzzy feet. Silkies come in a rainbow of colors, like white, splash, black, blue, and buff, have black skin, and have five toes. They’re definitely a breed that will draw attention!

Besides their incredible appearance, Silkies are also known for being wonderful pets. They’re one of the sweetest, most affectionate breeds of chicken, and a lot of people keep their Silkies as house pets. They’ll love you unconditionally, and their charm will surely win you over. Silkies aren’t realistic to raise for egg production, but their feathers make them worth it!

Thinking of adding a silkie to your flock? Check out my silkie chicken breed guide!

Temperament: Cuddly, loving
Size: Small, 3-4 lbs (large), 1-1.5 lbs (bantam)
Eggs Per Year: 100
Egg Size: Small to medium
Egg Color: Cream or white
Lifespan: 7-9 years
Time To Maturity: 8-12 months

Orpington

A backyard chicken staple, the Orpington is a big, beautiful bird. Bred to withstand cold weather, the Orpington is covered in voluminous feathers that are thick, downy, and soft. Their large, broad bodies and fluffy feathers give them a satisfyingly round appearance.

Their demeanor is about as soft as their feathers; they’re one of the friendliest breeds out there (to the point of being bullied pretty often!). They’re happy with being handled and will follow you like a puppy, making them great family pets. I think Orpingtons are among the easiest starter breeds, so if you’re new to raising chickens, go for an Orpington.

Read more about this charming chicken here!

Temperament: Friendly, gentle
Size: Medium to large (6-10 lbs)
Eggs Per Year: 150-250
Egg Size: Medium
Egg Color: Light brown
Lifespan: 8-9 years
Time To Maturity: 22-26 weeks

Brahma

The big, beautiful Brahma is a majestic bird, indeed. This remarkable breed is known for its substantial size. They’re covered in an abundance of soft, fluffy feathers; their stature, grace, and poise create an air of regal elegance. Brahmas are covered from head to toe with soft, fluffy feathers.

Beyond their captivating appearance, Brahma chickens have a friendly and amiable disposition, making them great additions to backyard flocks and family settings. They don’t mind handling and have a reputation for being gentle giants, forming strong bonds with their caretakers. If the size of a regular Brahma is a bit much, there are also bantam Brahmas.

Brahmas are amazing birds, and if you’d like to learn more, you can read my Brahma Chicken’s Breed Guide.

Breed Name: Brahma
Breed type: Asiatic, dual-purpose (meat and eggs)
Temperament: Laid-back, docile, confident
Size: Roosters 10 lbs; Hens 8 lbs.
Eggs Per Year: 150-200
Egg Size: Medium
Egg Color: Brown
Feather Type: Asiatic, feather-legged
Comb Type: Pea Comb
Hardiness: Cold hardy
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Time To Maturity: 6-7 months for laying, can be used at 8-10 weeks for meat

Polish

The first thing you notice about a Polish chicken is the feathers on its head. It looks like it’s wearing a poofy hat! The long, silky head feathers form an elegant crest. The crest feathers have a soft, feathery texture and big volume, giving them a blowout that any salon-goer would be jealous of! Overall, due to how sleek the rest of their feathers are, Polish chickens are a bit less fluffy than the other breeds listed but still have considerable fluffiness.

There are a lot of reasons why Polish chickens are so incredibly popular. The Polish chicken is not only loved for its appearance, but it is also a very friendly fowl. They’re agreeable and easygoing. These chickens are relatively low maintenance for being an ornamental breed, making them a good first-time chicken owner’s pet.

Temperament: Active, easygoing, friendly
Size: Small, 4-6 lbs
Eggs Per Year: 200
Egg Size: Medium to large
Egg Color: White
Lifespan: Eight years or more
Time To Maturity: 18-20 weeks

Sultan

Elegant, graceful, and above all, fluffy, the Sultan is it all. A very rare breed that almost went extinct but is resurging in popularity, Sultans are gorgeous birds covered in flowing feathers that are downy soft. A pure white chicken is the only kind accepted by the APA, but there are crosses with other breeds that have introduced other colors, like black or splash.

Sultans are covered head-to-toe with fluff. They have an impressive crest on top of their heads, like Polish chickens. These feathers are very abundant and often extend down the sides of their faces, creating a striking and fluffy appearance. Their legs and feet are also covered in fluff.

Sultans are easygoing and agreeable. They’re very low maintenance and generally happy wherever they are. They make better companions than egg layers or table birds, and you won’t regret welcoming one into your home.

Temperament: Gentle, docile
Size: 4-6 lbs
Eggs Per Year: 50
Egg Size: Medium to large
Egg Color: Light brown
Lifespan: Five to eight years
Time To Maturity: 20 to 22 weeks

Cochin

Cuddling a Cochin is hard to resist. These round, plump chickens are covered in a downy blanket of softness. Their fluffiness extends down to their feet, making them look like they’re wearing snow boots. Cochins come in various colors, including buff, white, black, and blue, each hue adding to their visual appeal.

Cochins have captured the hearts of fellow chicken lovers with their fluffy plumage, calm demeanor, and endearing personalities. Their unique appearance and gentle nature make them popular for both ornamental and practical reasons. They lay a fair number of eggs and make good table birds.

For more about the cuddly Cochin, read my cochin chicken breed guide!

Temperament: Cuddly, friendly, loving
Size: Large, 8-11 lbs
Eggs Per Year: 150-180
Eggs per Week: 3
Egg Size: Large
Egg Color: Brown
Lifespan: 8-10 years
Time To Maturity: 8 months (egg-laying), 4-16 months (meat)

Houdan

With their flowing feathers, Houdans sure do make a statement! One of the most distinguishing features of Houdan chickens is the tufts of feathers all over its head. Their head crests are made of a mass of soft, fluffy feathers, creating an eye-catching and glamorous look. Houdans also have ear muffs, or tufts of feathers protruding from the sides of their heads. They also have beards, making their necks look thick and round. Their tail feathers are long, sweeping, and elegant, and they can reach 18 inches in length. They come in some incredible colors and patterns, with mottled white and black being one of the most popular. Houdans are the supermodels of the chicken world.

Houdans aren’t just gorgeous but are also very agreeable birds. Friendly and easily handled, for the most part, but with plenty of personality, Houdans are showstoppers. They also are pretty good egg layers, even laying through the winter.

Temperament: Sweet, sassy
Size: Medium, 6-8 lbs
Eggs Per Year: 150-230
Egg Size: Medium
Egg Color: Cream or white
Lifespan: Eight years or more
Time To Maturity: 20 weeks

Faverolles

One of the most appealing parts of Faverolles chickens is their abundant and fluffy feathering. Their dense plumage covers their bodies from head to toe, giving them a soft and cuddly appearance. They’re pleasantly round, plump-looking chickens, and their feathers are soft as can be. Faverolles come in a bunch of colors, including Salmon, White, and Blue. Their striking feathered feet and characteristic “muffs” and “beards” add to their charm, making them a breed that truly stands out in any flock.

They are known to be docile and easily handled, making them a favorite among all types of chicken farmers. They’re content with living in a confined space. They’re an ideal choice for those with children or first-time owners. Faverolles also tolerate colder climates well, thanks to their dense feathering.

Considering a Faverolles? Read more about the Salmon variety here!

Temperament: Docile and active
Size: Medium to Large, 6-8 lbs
Eggs Per Year: 180 to 240
Egg Size: Medium
Egg Color: Light brown to cream
Lifespan: 5 to 7 years
Time To Maturity: 19 weeks

Mille Fleur D’Uccle

The pint-sized Mille Fleur D’Uccle is a beauty to behold. The feathers are truly unique; these bantams display an intricate combination of colors, consisting of a base of rich mahogany or reddish-brown feathers adorned with delicate black markings. These patterns create a “thousand flowers” effect, which lends the breed its name, “Mille Fleur,” meaning “thousand flowers” in French. Their feathers are abundant, soft, and beautiful. Their feet are covered in fluffy, patterned feathers, as well.

As true bantams, Mille Fleurs are tiny, making them popular house chickens. They’re easy to keep, as well, and are great companions. They’re also surprisingly good layers for their size, and their eggs are so cute! Whether admired for their intricate feather patterns, gentle nature, or their role in ornamental and exhibition poultry, Mille Fleur d’Uccles are delightful.

Temperament: Friendly, gentle, calm
Size: Small, 1.4-1.6 lbs
Eggs Per Year: 150-200
Egg Size: Small
Egg Color: White or cream
Lifespan: Eight years or more
Time To Maturity: 20 to 22 weeks

Frizzle

If you’ve seen chickens with wildly curly or frizzy feathers, it’s probably a Frizzle.

These aren’t a breed, but a result of breeding certain chickens with a gene that causes frizzled feathers. Instead of the typical smooth feathers, Frizzles have feathers that curl outward or backward, creating a whimsical frizzy appearance. You can find Frizzled Polish chickens, Frizzled Cochins, and Frizzle Silkies (Sizzles!).

There aren’t standards for frizzles, and they come in all shapes and sizes. They’ll make an eye-catching addition to your flock!

Four types of Frizzle Chickens

Chicken Keeping Guides

Looking for more chicken-keeping guides?

10+ Fluffy Chicken Breeds