Most people believe that chickens only have four toes. In general, that's the case for almost all chicken breeds, with the exception of five unique varieties.
Chickens with polydactyl have a fifth toe, which is a rare condition. In a similar way to people who have a sixth finger, the polydactyl serves no particular purpose. In spite of this, the fifth extra toe is an essential characteristic of these birds.
In the UK, the Dorking chicken is an ancient breed that originated in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, although it was first discovered in Dorking. There was a reputation for producing great-tasting chicken breeds in this region of the UK at the time. Roman times are believed to be the origin of the breed. Even today, it is popular as a table fowl as well as an egg producer.
There are a variety of color options for the Dorking, but the White Dorking is actually considered endangered, so you will be hard-pressed to find it.
This large breed weighs around 8 pounds. With short legs and a wide breast, they have plenty of meat in the right places. Being known for sitting longer than other breeds, a Dorking can lay up to 200 eggs a year. Any coop will benefit from the free-range lifestyle of this friendly breed.
For more information about this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
The Faverolle is chatty, noisy, and somewhat of a comedian. In terms of mannerisms and attitude, Faverolles tend to be quite pet-like to their owners. Their name comes from their origins in a small French village.
Their popularity stems from their ability to live equally well in a cage or free-range environment. Coming from France, they moved to the UK and then to the U.S. The Faverolle is known for its fluffy face and five toes.
It weighs about seven pounds and can be a very cuddly bird. It is estimated that Faverolles will lay 200 eggs each year. However, some owners have mentioned that some of their birds have been especially broody, causing them to stop laying altogether.
For more information on this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
Another breed with five toes on each foot is the Houdan. Typically, it weighs eight pounds or more. Depending on where you are in the world, the Houdan can be a very difficult breed to find these days.
Houdans, like Faverolles, have beards and are considered sweet, friendly, easy to handle, and make a great addition to any coop.
For more information on this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
The Sultan breed originated in Turkey and was originally owned by Turkish royalty. They have also been bred to have a friendly temperament, a loving nature, and even loyalty to humans. In addition to the bright white feathers on their heads, they have white feathery legs as well.
Aside from their friendly & sweet nature, the Sultan breed is also not hardy. Leaving them to fend for themselves is not a viable option. If you have any overbearing breeds, they will likely be picked on, and they are particularly vulnerable to predators.
Known for its unique looks and character, the breed is raised for its distinctive characteristics. Before taking on the Sultan chicken, however, think carefully as it is not a table bird or a highly-productive layer.
For more information on this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
Silkie Bantams are ornamental breeds like Sultans. Despite the fact that they lay eggs, they are not considered prolific egg layers, and they are not raised for meat production.
Their uniqueness makes them stand out. Instead of four toes, they have five, and their coat is silky due to the soft, fluffy feathers. Their black skin and bones are distinct from other breeds of chicken, and as true bantams, they weigh just 2-3 pounds each.
Even though they lay approximately 100 eggs each year, you should know that their eggs will be very small, so you should not choose this breed for filling your daily breakfast table.
For more information on this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
Before selecting a breed for your coop, you should look at other factors such as friendliness, egg-laying capacity, and whether a fifth toe will be useful.
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Chickens with polydactyl have a fifth toe, which is a rare condition. In a similar way to people who have a sixth finger, the polydactyl serves no particular purpose. In spite of this, the fifth extra toe is an essential characteristic of these birds.
The Usefulness of Chicken Toes
Since they lack hands or a front foot and the agility humans have, chickens rely heavily on their feet & toes for many tasks. Included in these tasks are:- Roosting - In order to roost high, chickens need a strong and firm hold of their toes. They prefer roosting on tree branches when free-range or in coops with roosting perches.
- Digging - Chickens love digging, especially if it results in a lovely dust bath. A chicken's ability to dig up loose soil is impressive.
- Holding - Chickens instinctively grasp their prey with their toes to keep it secure.
- Scratching - In search of treats, chickens use their toes to find worms and insects around the backyard.
- Walking - Most of the time, chickens are on their feet. Whether it is the yard or the coop, they enjoy wandering around.
The 5 Chicken Breeds With 5 Toes
1. Dorking
In the UK, the Dorking chicken is an ancient breed that originated in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, although it was first discovered in Dorking. There was a reputation for producing great-tasting chicken breeds in this region of the UK at the time. Roman times are believed to be the origin of the breed. Even today, it is popular as a table fowl as well as an egg producer.
There are a variety of color options for the Dorking, but the White Dorking is actually considered endangered, so you will be hard-pressed to find it.
This large breed weighs around 8 pounds. With short legs and a wide breast, they have plenty of meat in the right places. Being known for sitting longer than other breeds, a Dorking can lay up to 200 eggs a year. Any coop will benefit from the free-range lifestyle of this friendly breed.
For more information about this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
2. Faverolle
The Faverolle is chatty, noisy, and somewhat of a comedian. In terms of mannerisms and attitude, Faverolles tend to be quite pet-like to their owners. Their name comes from their origins in a small French village.
Their popularity stems from their ability to live equally well in a cage or free-range environment. Coming from France, they moved to the UK and then to the U.S. The Faverolle is known for its fluffy face and five toes.
It weighs about seven pounds and can be a very cuddly bird. It is estimated that Faverolles will lay 200 eggs each year. However, some owners have mentioned that some of their birds have been especially broody, causing them to stop laying altogether.
For more information on this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
3. Houdan
Another breed with five toes on each foot is the Houdan. Typically, it weighs eight pounds or more. Depending on where you are in the world, the Houdan can be a very difficult breed to find these days.
Houdans, like Faverolles, have beards and are considered sweet, friendly, easy to handle, and make a great addition to any coop.
For more information on this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
4. Sultan
The Sultan breed originated in Turkey and was originally owned by Turkish royalty. They have also been bred to have a friendly temperament, a loving nature, and even loyalty to humans. In addition to the bright white feathers on their heads, they have white feathery legs as well.
Aside from their friendly & sweet nature, the Sultan breed is also not hardy. Leaving them to fend for themselves is not a viable option. If you have any overbearing breeds, they will likely be picked on, and they are particularly vulnerable to predators.
Known for its unique looks and character, the breed is raised for its distinctive characteristics. Before taking on the Sultan chicken, however, think carefully as it is not a table bird or a highly-productive layer.
For more information on this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
5. Silkie Bantam
Silkie Bantams are ornamental breeds like Sultans. Despite the fact that they lay eggs, they are not considered prolific egg layers, and they are not raised for meat production.
Their uniqueness makes them stand out. Instead of four toes, they have five, and their coat is silky due to the soft, fluffy feathers. Their black skin and bones are distinct from other breeds of chicken, and as true bantams, they weigh just 2-3 pounds each.
Even though they lay approximately 100 eggs each year, you should know that their eggs will be very small, so you should not choose this breed for filling your daily breakfast table.
For more information on this chicken breed, CLICK HERE!
Conclusion
The presence of five toes in a chicken is a very rare trait, and it does not necessarily offer any benefit to either the chicken or its owner. Only 5 breeds of chicken (and some crossbreeds) have this unusual feature, making it a noteworthy feature.Before selecting a breed for your coop, you should look at other factors such as friendliness, egg-laying capacity, and whether a fifth toe will be useful.
Other interesting articles:
