Sultan

Sultan are at the very height of ornamental oddity in the chicken world. The Sultan is a breed of chicken originating in Turkey. Its English moniker is directly culled from the original Turkish language name of Serai-Tavuk, which translates as "fowls of the Sultan". They have always been primarily ornamental, having been kept in the gardens of Ottoman sultanate. In the West they are bred for competitive showing as part of poultry fancy, and are generally a rare sight . The breed was first exported from its native country in 1854, when a Ms. Elizabeth Watts of Hampstead, London brought a small flock to Britain. It was seen in North America by 1867, and was recognized officially by acceptance in to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1874. Sultans have a great deal of decorative plumage, including large, puffy crests, beards, long tails, and profuse foot feathering. Their small, V-shaped combs are almost entirely hidden under feathering. Sultans are also one of a minority of breeds to have five toes on each foot. With males weighing approximately 2.7 kilos and hens 2 kilos , they are relatively small standard breed chickens. They also have a bantam version.

Sultans appear in three varieties: Black, Blue, and White, with White being the most well known Hens lay small white eggs at a slow rate, and do not generally go broody. In temperament, Sultans are quite docile, friendly chickens, and are content at being kept in confinement. Most Sultan breeders take care to raise them in dry bedding in order to protect their elaborate feathering, especially on the feet. They may also be bullied somewhat if kept in flocks with more active breeds. Sultan chickens are an exotic breed of chicken raised for exhibition and as pets rather than for their eggs or meat. Their temperament requires that they be sheltered and well taken care. They are naturally docile to the point of being tame, rather delicate (especially in wet weather and winter) and don't forage well for food.

Type: Body rather long and very deep, breast deep and prominent. Back short and straight. Wings large, long and carried low. Tail long, broad and carried open. Sickles very long and fine. Hangers numerous, long and fine. Coverts abundant and lengthy.
Head: Head medium size, beak short and curved. Eye bright, comb very small, consisting of two spikes only, almost hidden by crest. Face covered with thick muffling. Nostrils horny and large, rising above the curved line of the beak. Crest large, globular and compact. Ear lobes small and round. Beard very full, joining with the whiskers. Wattes very small to be hardly perceptible.
Neck: Moderately short, slightly arched and carried well back.
Legs and feet: Thighs sort, furnished with heavy vulture hocks to cover the joints. Shanks Short and well covered inside and out with feathers. Toes, five in number and of moderate length, completely covered with feather.
Plumage: Long, very abundant and fairly soft. Snow-white throughout

Origins / History:
Class: All Other Breeds
Place of Origin: Turkey
Type: Bantam
Size: Small (4-5 lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Ornamental
Recognized Varieties: White, Black

Egg Facts:
Egg Laying: Poor (1/wk)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: Small

Fancy Features:
Comb Type: V-Shape Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: Yes
Number of Toes: 5

Suitability to Backyard Life:
Hardy In Winter: No
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Friendly, Easily handled, Super tame and calm