Do you know there are more than 1600 recognized chicken breeds globally? Out of them, 500 chicken breeds are known as fancy or hottest chicken breeds.
The US has the highest number of chickens, owning around 9.22 billion chickens. China is in the second position which has 5.06 billion chickens.
But what is the rarest chicken breed? Why are they so popular? Their self-sufficient foraging behavior and highly resilient make them a top choice.
Rare chicken breeds are only available in some particular locations or countries. Some are critically endangered.
Enthusiastic chicken keepers love to enrich their collections by owning rare chicken breeds. Let’s learn about some uncommon chicken breeds and their many important details.
11 Rarest Chicken Breeds in the World
Rare chicken breeds are not only expensive. They also have some unique characteristics than regular chickens. The followings are the rarest chicken breeds!
01. Black Penedesenca
This special chicken breed originated in the Spanish province of Catalonia during the twentieth century. People also call them Black Penny.
Do you know what is the best thing about this chicken breed? Penedesenca chicken lays very dark brown eggs, which is one of the darkest eggs among chicken breeds.
They have dark shanks and toes as well as dark horn beaks. One attractive body spot of this chicken breed is its large multi-lobed comb. This gives it a “royal” appearance.
Another unique attribute of this chicken breed is flighty behavior. They often fly over 6 feet to avoid human contact.
Black Penedesenca loves to roam and forage. Raising them in a free-range area is the best choice.
Males have an average weight of 8 pounds, whereas females weigh around 5.5 pounds. They lay around 200 extra large eggs per year. The average lifespan of Black Penedesenca is 5 to 8 years.
02. Campine Chicken
They are another rare chicken breed that originated in the northern part of Belgium.
Campine Chickens are not seen too often. In fact, their total population is fewer than 1,000 worldwide.
This chicken breed has close-fitting feathers. They have red faces and red wattles, and dark blue legs.
Their neck and head have solid white colored plumage. Males and females have a similar appearance.
Campine Chickens are well-known as a flighty, hardy, and super-active breed. If you touch them, they may run and fly to stay away from humans.
The average weight for roosters is 2.7 kg, and hens 2.3 kg. This super-active chicken lays around 140-200 white, medium size eggs per year.
People often compare them with Braekel chickens due to their similar appearance. This hardy chicken breed can live around 5 to 9 years.
03. Black Sumatra
How many fighting chicken breeds have you come across? Black Sumatra is a rare chicken breed that will fight for breeding rights and territorial dominance.
This chicken breed originated from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Enthusiastic chicken keepers primarily keep them for exhibition purposes.
People often use Black Sumatra chickens as fighting cocks for entertainment reasons. They have a deep black with a hint of green (beetle) sheen plumage.
Their long, flowing plumage looks pretty attractive. Many compare them with Silkie chickens.
Black Sumatra is a critically endangered chicken breed. Its popularity is less than 500 worldwide.
Their aggressive, wild, and fearless habits make them a popular choice among chicken keepers.
Roosters have an average weight of 2.25–2.70 kg, while hens weigh around 1.80 kg.
A female Black Sumatra can around 100 small, white, or lightly tinted eggs annually. Their average lifespan is 6 to 8 years.
04. Crèvecoeur Chicken
This sweet, friendly bird originated from Normandy, France. They are one of the oldest chicken breeds from France.
Crèvecoeur Chicken are critically endangered as their popularity is less than 1000 globally and below 500 in the US.
Their head has a full crest with a distinctive “v” comb. This makes them unique from other chicken breeds.
Roosters have an average weight of 8 pounds, whereas hens weigh around 6.5 pounds.
This friendly, low-maintenance chicken breed lays approximately 120 to 200 medium-sized white eggs per year. Their average lifespan is 5 to 8 years.
Crèvecoeur Chickens are calm, curious, and intelligent. They are a good choice for meat and egg production. If you want to raise a gentle crested breed, this chicken breed is a perfect selection.
05. Brabanter Chickens
How many older chicken breeds have you come across in North America?
Brabanter chickens are one of the oldest chicken breeds, which originated in the historical region of Brabant in the Netherlands in the 1500s.
People raise this chicken breed for both egg production and ornamental purposes. Their distinctive feather crests, beards, and attractive plumage make them strikingly beautiful.
Brabanter chickens are goofy and lovable. Even new chicken keepers can easily raise them. They are commonly available in gold and cream varieties.
The weight of male Brabanter is around 7.5 pounds and female 5.5-6 pounds.
Their average yearly egg production is between 150 to 200 large white eggs. This stunning chicken breed can live for 5 to 8 years easily.
06. Lavender Ameraucana
Are you looking for a truly rare purebred chicken breed? If so, Lavender Ameraucana is a perfect choice.
They originated in Scotland in the 1930s but later developed in the United States in the 1970s.
Do you know why Lavender Ameraucana is so popular? It is due to their beautiful bright blue eggs. They lay about 150-200 medium to large-sized eggs per year.
Their cheeks have facial tufts or feathery protuberances. This gives them a hawk-like appearance.
Lavender Ameraucana chickens are docile and people-friendly. They can live in both heat and cold environments.
Their small pea combs and wattles can protect them from extreme cold conditions.
Cocks have an average weight of 5.5 pounds, whereas hens weigh around 6.5 pounds. They can live 5 to 10 years with proper care.
07. La Fleche
This chicken originated from a village east of Paris, Le Mans, in France, during the fifth century.
They are considered critically endangered. La Fleche chickens are well-known for their gorgeous capons (castrated cockerels) and poulardes (fattened pullets).
They are highly popular in Anjou and Paris markets. People love to eat their tender, delicate, and juicy flesh.
This chicken breed has a full black feathered body. They have a beautiful full, well-curved tail.
Male La Fleche can be up to 8 pounds, whereas female chickens have an average weight of 6.5 pounds.
This chicken breed can lay around 140 to 220 large or extra-large white eggs per year. Each egg has an average weight of 60 grams. Their average lifespan is 5 to 10 years.
La Fleche chickens love to fly and explore. They are incredible foragers too. It is best to raise them in an open or free-range area.
08. Burmese
How many rare and old true bantam chickens have you come across? Burmese chickens are a popular rare chicken breed that originated in Myanmar, formerly Burma.
They have heavy and thick feathers on their entire body, including short legs. You will also appreciate their feathered crested head.
Roosters have an average weight of 570 grams, whereas hens weigh approximately 450 grams. Their average egg production is 160 to 200 eggs per year.
Burmese chickens can live around 4 to 8 years, depending on how you take care of them.
You can raise them in this exotic chicken breed in a limited space in your small backyard. But growing them in a free-range style is also possible.
09. Scots Dumpy
This endangered chicken breed came from Scotland in the mid-nineteenth century.
They are well known for their unique short legs, which are less than five centimeters in its length. When they walk, it looks like a waddling gait. This makes them more attractive.
Scots Dumpy chickens are available in four color options: Silver-Grey, Cuckoo, Black, and Dark-Grey. This low yet large bird has a stout body with a flowing and long tail.
They are quiet and gentle by nature and won’t roam too far due to their short legs. These won’t damage the garden soil as they will only scratch the top surface.
A male Scots Dumpy has an average weight of 7 pounds, whereas females weigh approximately 6 pounds.
Hens lay around 150-180 white or cream-colored eggs per year. This hardy chicken has an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years.
10. Onagadori
This rare chicken breed is unheard of in the US. They originated from Shikoku Island in Japan.
In 2013, a survey was conducted, where there were only 200 Onagadori chickens were recognized.
However, their population is rising gradually through careful breeding. The total number of Onagadori chickens is still less than 1000 globally.
Do you know what is the most beautiful thing about Onagadori?
Their long, silky feathers and elegant tails make them a popular chicken breed. In fact, it is considered a Natural Monument of Japan.
This chicken breed has brown feathers with white spots. They are not afraid of humans and typically live a stress-free life.
The average weight for a cock is 3.9 pounds, and a hen is 2.9 pounds.
Onagadori chickens are not well known for good egg production. They generally lay light brown eggs, 100 eggs. Their average lifespan is 6 to 7 years.
These ornamental chickens need a secure enclosure to keep their long tails clean and safe.
11. Naked Neck
This chicken breed is very uncommon in North America. They came from Transylvania, which is a town in northern Romania, in 1918.
They have no feathers on their neck and face due to a random genetic mutation. This makes them unique. Their skin becomes dark red when they are exposed to direct sunlight.
Compared to other chicken breeds, Naked Neck chickens have less amount of fathers. In fact, it is 50-60% less than breeds.
They are available in various colors, such as white, black, buff, cuckoo, red, etc.
Naked Neck chickens love to explore and wander around freely. Predators are less likely to harm them due to their proactive behavior.
This chicken breed is active, hardy, and strong. They need minimal care and maintenance.
Their average height is 2 to 2.5 feet. Male chickens have an average weight of 8.5 pounds, whereas female chooks weigh approximately 6.5 pounds.
Naked Neck chickens lay around 120 to 200 large brown eggs per year. Their average lifespan is 8 to 10 years. But some may live for up to 12 years with proper care.
Final Verdict
Don’t you want to enrich your chicken collection as a chicken enthusiast? It is time-consuming and expensive to invest in rare chicken breeds. It is worth the investment if you have an immense affection for chickens.
I have already discussed many rare chicken breeds. Most of them might not be available in your area. If you have any unique collections, let us know. Also, feel free to share what is the rarest chicken breed in your living location. We will love to hear about that!
