27 Bizarre And Beautiful Chickens

This Japanese breed of chicken was selectively bred to have tail feathers that grow up to 5 meters in length.

These birds are notable for their large bouffant crest of feathers, which sometimes impedes their vision.

Another variety of Polish chickens, these guys can be used as egg-layers, but they're better suited to be exhibition birds.

This Chinese breed is "the lap-dog of the chicken world," and they have five toes instead of four like most chickens.

Almost everything about this gorgeous chicken is black. Seriously. Beneath the black feathers and skin you'll find black-tinted organs and muscles.

These golden birds are reliable egg-layers who do well in cold weather.

This Malaysian breed is only six inches tall and is often kept as an indoor pet. Thousands were culled during the bird flu outbreak in 2004, but the breed is on the recovery.

This breed is often mistakenly assumed to be a cross between a chicken and a turkey, but they were actually first bred in Hungary, where their featherless necks made them better at handling the heat and easier to pluck.

This v-shaped comb on this French breed earned the nickname "Devil's Head" due to its horn-like appearance.

This breed, which originated in Plymouth, Mass., was recognized as early as 1874, and has since gone on to become one of the more popular breeds in America.

The Buttercup gets its name from its unique, cup-shaped comb. No other breed's combs look like this.

This old European breed is energetic and easily bored. It's good at flying (for a chicken) and enjoys roosting in trees.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this Rhode Island Red is the official state bird of Rhode Island.

This awesomely-named chicken was bred to have both a beard and feathered boots.

These elegantly-colored English birds are known for their "alertness, upright appearance, and confident personality."

The Phoenix was bred as a European counterpart to the Onagadori, an ancient Japanese breed that the Phoenix is descended from.

This Spanish breed is notable for being Lawrence of Arabia's favorite type of chicken.

This polka-dotted breed was named after ladies who wore large, lacey bonnets in Appenzellerland, Switzerland.

Sometimes called "The King Of Chicken Breeds," Brahmas are among the largest breed of chicken, known for their feathered legs. Brahma cocks can weigh more than 18 pounds.