is there a crested chicken
Yes, there absolutely are crested chickens—this is a whole group of chicken breeds that have a distinctive tuft or “pom‑pom” of feathers on top of their heads, so they’re often called crested or “top‑hat” breeds.
What is a crested chicken?
Crested chickens are breeds where a noticeable cluster of feathers grows on a bony prominence on the skull, creating a poof, cap, or swept‑back “hairstyle.”
These crests can be small and tidy or huge and showy, sometimes even covering part of the bird’s vision.
Typical traits:
- Feathery “hat” or puff on the head (the crest).
- Often kept as ornamental or show birds because they look unusual and stylish.
- Many still lay a reasonable number of eggs, but production varies by breed.
Examples of crested chicken breeds
Here are some of the better‑known crested breeds:
| Breed | What the crest looks like | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| Polish | Big round “pom‑pom” that can cover the eyes. | [3][8]Ornamental, light laying. | [8][3]
| Sultan | Full fluffy crest plus beard and feathered feet. | [7]Ornamental. | [7]
| Silkie | Soft, fur‑like crest blending into fluffy body feathers. | [7][8]Ornamental, broody hens. | [8][7]
| Houdan | Full rounded crest, often with mottled coloring. | [1][3]Dual‑purpose (meat and eggs). | [3][1]
| Crevecoeur | Crest similar to Houdan, usually in black. | [1]Primarily ornamental; rare/endangered. | [1]
| Cream Legbar / Crested Legbar | Smaller tassel‑type crest swept back. | [5][1]Blue/green egg layer, dual‑purpose. | [5][1]
| Swedish Flower Hen (some lines) | Sometimes a small crest on the head. | [8][1]Eggs and meat, backyard flocks. | [8][1]
Are crested chickens good as pets?
- Many crested breeds are described as friendly and calm, especially if handled from chicks.
- Their crests can block vision, so they may be more easily startled and need predators managed carefully.
- Some, such as Cream Legbars, are both crested and productive blue‑ or green‑egg layers, making them practical and pretty.
Little “story” picture
Imagine walking into a backyard and seeing a small flock of ordinary hens—and then one bird struts past with a huge feather “afro” bobbing as it walks. It pauses, tilts its head so the crest flops to one side, and you realize you’re looking at a Polish crested hen, the glam rock star of the chicken yard.
TL;DR: Yes, there are crested chickens—multiple breeds with a natural feather “hat” on their heads, like Polish, Sultan, Silkie, Houdan, Crevecoeur, and Cream Legbar.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.