Sultan chickens: Beautiful and exotic pets who require royal treatment
Sultan chickens are something special. Originally kept by Turkish royalty, this breed is not your average chicken. These birds have been bred to be sweet, loving, and entertaining. They have been bred for shock value and for awe.
However, in cultivating these characteristics, hardiness traits have been lost. Sultan chickens are highly susceptible to predation, to frostbite, and to chicken bullying (it’s not uncommon for them to get pecked to death by larger breeds).
Sultans are a commitment. They are not birds to be tossed into the backyard and left to fend for themselves. They need protection from predators, warm and dry housing, and similarly gentle companion breeds for company.
“It is clear that the Sultan is not a breed to be undertaken on a casual whim. It is neither a table bird nor a laying bird, but is kept purely for its beauty and outstanding ornamental features.”
Still interested? In this article, you’ll get all your questions about the Sultan breed answered, so you can determine if you can provide a good home to these sweet little balls of feathers. You’ll learn:
Climate considerations for Sultan chickens (are they a good fit for your region?)
Foraging, space, and predator considerations for Sultan chickens (should you confine them?)
Sultan temperament (are they right for you and your family?)
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Have Sultan chickens?
Sultan chicken facts
Category: Pet
Origin: Turkey
Egg-laying ability: Poor
Broodiness: Low
Meat production: Poor
Cold tolerance: Poor
Heat tolerance: Good (if dry)
Predator evasion: Poor
Foraging ability: Poor
Toleration for confinement: Good
Temperament: Docile
Aggression toward flock members: Low
Noise level: Moderate-high
Origin of Sultan chickens
“…the Sultan is an old, ornamental breed that was indeed kept by Turkish royalty for centuries as a pet and as a living garden ornament.”
Sultan chickens were originally called Serai-Taook or Serai-Tavuk, which is a Turkish name that translates to “Palace Fowl” or “Fowls of the Sultan.”
Sultans were imported to England in 1854, and to America in 1867, where they were called “the tamest and most contented birds,” who always “sang that contented chicken song.”
Modern Sultans are different than their original Turkish counterparts. According to the authors of The Complete Encyclopedia of Chickens, “Due to the world wars in Europe, the animal was already more or less extinct, with the exception of the British stocks.”
They continue, “Later on it was reconstructed from various breeds, so, sadly, most strains of the current Sultans on the continent no longer descend from the Sultan’s original chickens.”
To keep Sultans from going extinct, they have been mixed with other crested breeds, such as Houdan and Polish chickens.
Today, Sultan chickens are so rare that The Livestock Conservancy has listed them as “Critical” on their endangered breeds list. However, in recent years, hatcheries have started selling Sultans and the birds are slowly becoming more popular.
What do Sultan chickens look like?
Sultan feather colors and patterns
The original Sultan chickens were white, and this is still the most common variety today. The American Poultry Association only recognizes White Sultans as official, but the American Bantam Association also recognizes Black and Blue Sultan Bantams. Bantams are essentially miniature versions of the regular-sized birds.
Sometimes regular-sized Sultans may be found in black, blue, or even lavender, although none of these varieties are officially recognized.
Below is a summary of the color differences among the three varieties of Sultans:
| Sultan varieties | Beak | Eyes | Shanks and toes |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Light horn | Reddish bay | Bluish slate |
| Black | Black | Brown | Black |
| Blue | Swarthy horn | Brown | Bluish slate |
What is notable about the Sultan chicken’s appearance?
As a purely ornamental breed, Sultan chickens are unique from head to toe. They have several notable characteristics, including:
Large crests of feathers on their heads
Full trilobed beards (a trilobed beard is a beard and two cheek muffs)
V-shaped combs (also called devil’s combs or horn combs)
Broad, cavernous nostrils
Wings carried low so that they hide the thighs and upper hocks
Vulture hocks (i.e., the quill feathers found on the hocks are rigid and point backwards)
Legs and feet covered in feathers
Five toes on each foot (rather than the usual four)
“The Sultan surely has the most ornamental features of any breed of domestic poultry.”
The hens’ V-shaped combs tend to be hidden in the feather crest, and the roosters’ combs may sometimes also be mostly hidden. Below is a video of a rooster with a prominent V-comb, so you can get a good idea of what these combs look like:
Note that some Sultans may not have five toes, as the fifth toe isn’t reliably heritable.
Sultans also have small, bright red earlobes that are typically hidden within their muffs and beards.
How big do Sultan chickens get?
The regular-sized Sultan chickens are smaller than the average chicken.
Roosters: 5-6 lbs
Hens: 4 lbs
Bantam roosters: 26 oz
Bantam hens: 22 oz
What do Sultan chicks look like?
White Sultan chicks are mostly yellow. Some may even be born with gray or brown patches. Don’t worry, though, even these chicks will grow up to be pure white.
Below is a video showing a brood of White Sultan chicks. You can see how heavily feathered their legs and feet are.
Sultan chicken growth
For a heritage breed, Sultan chickens are fast growers.
Are you getting Sultan chicks?
Share your photos, week by week!
Sultan chickens and egg laying
Egg color: Light brown or white
Egg size: Small
Age of lay: 6 months
Eggs/week: 1
Eggs/year: 50
Sultan chickens are one of the few breeds whose ear lobe colors don’t indicate their egg colors. Most chickens with red earlobes lay brown eggs. Whereas some Sultans do lay light brown eggs, most lay white.
Some Sultans may not start laying until about 10 months.
Below is a video of a little sultan hen laying an egg. She is really straining to get it out—when it comes out she does the cutest little squeak noise.
Broodiness: Do Sultan hens want to hatch their eggs?
Sultan hens tend not to be broody, so you’re not likely to find any of your girls sitting on their eggs.
Sultan chickens: Not a hardy breed
Sultan chickens are helpless against predators (they can’t see them coming).
Sultan chickens are helpless against other chickens (they are commonly injured).
And Sultan chickens are helpless against Mother Nature (they cannot thrive in wet, muddy, or cold weather). Their feathers break, their feet get caked up, and they get frostbite easily.
“…the Sultan is definitely ornamental rather than practical. The very features that make it so attractive render it unsuitable for all but the driest ground.”
Sultan chickens in muddy or wet weather: Not a good match
The main reason Sultan chickens cannot handle wet or muddy conditions is because they have those adorable leg and feet feathers. Below is a video that shows how just how thick these feathers can be:
You can see from the video how dense these leg and feet feathers are (so much so that this rooster is actually named Slippers). The rooster in this video is walking around on dry leaves in dry conditions, so his feathers look great, but can you imagine what his legs and feet would look like in mud?
(As a side note, I love the YouTube description of the video above: “Our Sultan rooster, Slippers, trying to impress the ladies. Unfortunately, they’re much more interested in the treats than his romantic efforts.)
The shank feathers pick up mud and the chickens’ feet and legs can become encased. If temperatures are low, Sultans can lose their legs to frostbite (more on this in the next section below), or if the mud isn’t cleaned off regularly, the chickens can get infections.
At the very best, a wet and muddy Sultan chicken is a very miserable Sultan chicken. At worst, she’s a dead Sultan chicken.
Sultan chickens and the cold: A cruel combination
Below is a video of a Sultan rooster named Toothless. The description says that he lost both of his legs to frostbite. Thankfully, this family took him in as a house bird.
What happened here? Most likely, this rooster’s legs got wet, possibly even if he just walked outside in the snow for 5 seconds. And then his legs froze before his leg and feet feathers could dry out. Now he has only nubs left to walk on.
I so wish I could say that this is an isolated incident, but it’s not. It’s sadly common with Sultans. A little digging on the internet, and you’ll find loads of stories, videos, and photos of Sultan chickens who have lost their legs to frostbite. And these are the “lucky” ones who survived at all.
Many Sultans also get frostbite on their combs because their crest feathers get wet and freeze.
One chicken keeper said about her Sultan hen in the winter, “…[She] doesn’t look so hot anymore.”
She continues, “She’s lost most of her tail feathers (stress?) and… she keeps dunking her whole face in the water dish and is constantly walking around with soaking, freezing dirty feathers on her head.”
You’ll find many anecdotes of people losing all of their Sultan hens to the cold. So many people are buying these chickens when they shouldn’t be. They feel like they have to have Sultans because they’re just so cute, but then their chickens pay the price.
This attitude is perfectly summed up by this post I found in a forum: “We had a Sultan roo last year. He was a good boy and very people-attached. But he was also very weak. Sometimes I think to myself, Why did I get Sultans if I live in cold NY winters? Really, I can’t help myself.” (Emphasis mine.)
Here’s what you need to understand: Frostbite is an excruciating condition. And chickens feel pain just as mammals do. Allowing Sultans to get frostbite is incredibly cruel. If you aren’t willing to keep these chickens warm, dry, and healthy, do not get this breed.
Sultan chickens in the heat: Can they handle it?
As long as the conditions are dry and your Sultans have access to shade and also to cold, fresh water, they can handle the heat. The only thing you may need to worry about is that their coloring can become “brassy” if they spend a lot of time in the sunshine. This isn’t a problem for most backyard keepers. It’s only a problem for show birds.
Sultan chickens vs. predators: Never a fair fight
Sultan chickens have two major disadvantages when it comes to escaping predators. First, their large crests and muffs restrict their vision. For some strains, this is worse than others. Some strains can’t see through their feathers at all (it would be kind to trim these feathers in these cases).
One Sultan chicken keeper said that sometimes her Sultans will walk right next to her and not see her. So, when she makes a noise or touches one, the bird “will jump about 3 feet off the ground.” These birds have no chance of survival against predators of any kind.
The second disadvantage that Sultans have is that their giant feathered feet prevent them from moving quickly. This alone would make them easy prey.
Sultan chickens: Do they need to be confined?
Because Sultans cannot defend themselves against predators and do not thrive in mud or wet conditions, free ranging usually isn’t an option for them.
However, if the weather is warm and dry, and you are there to supervise them (i.e., protect them), Sultans love to free range.
These little birds may look like stuffed animals, but they’re still chickens at heart. They like to roam, scratch, and explore. If you can provide them with safe spaces to practice this natural chicken behavior, you will have some very happy animals.
At the very least, Sultans need a dry run. In almost all climates, you will need to cover this run to protect it from precipitation. I can’t stress enough how crucial it is that the Sultans’ run remains dry for them in inclement weather.
Sultans also can make excellent and happy house chickens for those so inclined.
Sultan chicken temperament: Just what kind of birds are they?
Sultan chickens are delightful. They are friendly, calm, and docile. They are sweet, loving, and talkative. Chicken keepers frequently describe their Sultans as gentle and affectionate. And also quirky, entertaining, and funny.
One chicken keeper said of her Sultan flock:
“They are all very quirky! But of all my chickens of any other breed, they are by far the tamest. They love to be picked up, held, petted, and actually ask for it. They are curious and inquisitive.”
If you get Sultan chickens and you find they are nervous or jumpy, then they probably can’t see. Consider trimming their crests.
Some chicken keepers have mistaken their Sultans for stupid when the birds actually just couldn’t see. Sultans, like all chickens, are actually quite intelligent. Many Sultan keepers have said that their chickens have learned their individual names and will come when called.
Experienced chicken keepers who have kept many different breeds over the years will often say that their Sultans were their favorites. One chicken keeper said, “If you’re interested in having a relationship with your chickens… consider getting Sultans!”
How are Sultan chickens around children?
Most Sultan chickens are excellent around children. In fact, you can find many photos and anecdotes online about Sultan chickens enjoying being carried around by children and even being dressed up by children.
One Sultan keeper said of the breed, “Sultans are just beyond fabulous. Mine goes in the car for school drop off/pick up and the grocery store.”
Are Sultan roosters aggressive to people?
Like roosters from all breeds, Sultan roosters may or may not be aggressive, and the degree of aggression varies from rooster to rooster. Sultans are not known to be a particularly aggressive breed, and certainly many of them are incredibly docile and sweet.
One chicken keeper said of her Sultan rooster, Hector, “He was a sweet guy, but I had no reason to keep him. He was a hoot. He kind of hopped when he ran across the yard and made the funniest noises… Hector is now part of a petting zoo, believe it or not.”
Another chicken keeper tells of her experience with a mildly aggressive rooster, saying:
“One of my Sultan roosters disapproves when granddaughters go into the chicken house. The few times he has ‘attacked’ them, they said, ‘What was that?’… Unfortunately for him, it is like being hit in the leg with a small pillow! He knows his name though, so goes away when scolded for it. Yes, they are that smart!”
How well do Sultan chickens get along with other chickens?
Sultan chickens are incredibly sweet and docile, so you won’t find them being aggressive (with the exception of a hormonal rooster or two).
I did find a YouTube video online of two Sultan hens sparring—you can check it out below. This sparring does seem to be more playful than aggressive though, and is common among younger hens of all breeds.
Although Sultans are not aggressive against others, they also don’t stand their ground well when other chickens are aggressive against them. And they can quickly become the victims of brutal bullying, ending in injury or even death.
You also need to be aware that when other chicken breeds pick on Sultans, it doesn’t even necessarily start out with aggressive intent. Sultan chickens are very unusual looking, and hens will peck at things they’re curious about.
This means that hens end up pecking out crests, beards, and leg and feet feathers. Though they’re just curious, these actions do cause pain and sometimes bleeding in the Sultans. And then when hens see the blood, that just makes them peck more, which then can lead to serious injury, cannibalism, or death.
You will find numerous anecdotes of Sultan chicken keepers going into their coops in the morning only to find that their Sultan hen or rooster had been pecked to death by the other chickens the night before.
One chicken keeper who experienced this with her Sultan rooster, said “He took quite a few beatings on several occasions… his death occurred when he was far too weak to save himself, …[whereas] many times before he found the will to continue on.”
This rooster’s death could have easily been prevented, but it sounds like his life may have been pretty miserable too. Just another example of people buying these birds because they’re so cute, but then not caring for them properly.
Sultan chickens must be kept with either other Sultan chickens or with other chickens who have similarly gentle dispositions (for example, Silkies). Sultans frequently don’t fare well with breeds other than these.
Sultan chickens: Are they noisy?
Sultan chickens tend to be very chatty chickens. Though they are not loud, they are constantly talking.
One chicken keeper describes it perfectly:
“My Sultans typically talk to one another almost constantly. I listen in to these musical conversations as I work in the yard. Sometimes, if I am close to or actually in their coop, my Sultans talk to me.”
Below is a video that shows a Sultan hen, Jasmine, being chatty. The video description reads, “This is my Sultan pullet being cute and talkative!”
And I know you want to know what the Sultan rooster’s crow sounds like, so check that out in the video below:
Usually, Sultans are chatting contentedly, but if they are upset, they will let you know about it.
Many Sultan chicken keepers say their chickens complain loudly and nonstop if they get wet or cold. This is most certainly because they’re uncomfortable or suffering. Just another reason to make sure your Sultans are dry and safe.
Sultan chicken health problems and life expectancy
Because Sultans’ crests, muffs, and beards can freeze if they get wet, do not give them water from an open bowl. If you find your Sultans are getting their faces wet, consider using a nipple waterer system, like this nipple waterer on Amazon.
Although Sultans’ crests are supposed to be small enough that they can still see, this is not the case for many strains. If your chickens have feathers covering their eyes, they can get eye infections.
Be sure to trim your Sultans’ crest feathers if you need to (but be very careful not to accidentally cut their combs or blood feathers). An alternative to trimming is taping. You can find step-by-step video instructions on both of these methods in my article on Silkie chickens.
Some chicken keepers prefer to use hair ties, rather than trimming or taping, to keep the crest feathers out of their Sultans’ eyes. However, Sultans can easily scratch out many hair ties, and if they end up eating the hair ties, they could suffer from crop impaction. Taping is a safer solution.
Sultan chickens also may need you to trim the toenail of their unusual fifth toe from time to time. The fifth toe grows in an upward direction, and so the birds don’t walk on it like they do their other toes. So the nail on that fifth toe never gets worn down, and thus will likely require trimming.
Many Sultan chickens die fairly young because their keepers do not give them the care they need. You’ve learned in this article that they can die from the cold, frostbite, predators, or attacks from other chickens. All of these deaths are preventable, however.
If you take good care of your Sultan chickens, they can live at least as long as the average chicken, which is about 5-8 years. Some may live considerably longer.
Breeds you may want instead of Sultans
If you’re just looking for a really cute, ornamental breed, but you want one that’s a lot hardier (and lays more eggs), consider the Appenzeller Spitzhauben or the Brabanter.
Appenzeller Spitzhaubens are both beautiful and unusual in appearance with vertical crests and many with gorgeous spangled feather patterns. These birds are a bit flighty, however, and do not do well in confinement. For more info, see my article, Appenzeller Spitzhauben Chickens: An egg laying breed that thrives in the cold.
Brabanters, on the other hand, are much calmer and can handle confinement (they also do well free ranging). Brabanters are darling—with crests, muffs, and beards—and they’re very lovable birds. For more info, see my article, Brabanter Chickens: A rare and goofy egg-laying breed for cold climates.
If you are interested in other adorable and docile ornamental breeds, you’ll definitely want to look into Polish chickens and Silkies. Check out these articles:
And if you’re open to bantam (i.e., miniature) breeds, you may want to consider the sweet and docile Cochin Bantam, Booted Bantam, or the Bearded d'Uccle. For more information, see:
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Sultan sources
Bassom, Frances. Mini Encyclopedia: Chicken Breeds and Care. Dorking: Interpet Publishing, 2011.
Damerow, Gail. Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens. North Adams: Storey Publishing, 2017.
Ekarius, Carol. Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams: Storey Publishing, 2007.
Verhoef, Esther and Rijs, Aad. The Complete Encyclopedia of Chickens. Lisse: Rebo Publishers, 2005.