- Jun 28, 2011
- 39,160
- 27,306
- 1,302
Sultans are an easy to identify breed. With their usually pure white feathering, their full crest, beard, muffs, V-shaped comb, large nostrils, low wing carriage, vulture hocks, profusely feathered shanks and toes, and five toes on each foot, they have more distinguishing features than any other breed.
Sultans are an old breed that originated in southeastern Europe and were bred in Turkey, where they were known as the Serai Taook/Tavuk (Sultan’s Palace Fowl), legend having it that they were primarily used as ornamental fowl in the Sultan’s gardens. It is not known what breeds went into their makeup originally, but Polish chickens were used by early breeders in the UK and US to improve the breed. They were first imported into England from Istanbul in 1854, and into the US in 1867and today they are a rather popular show bird and ornamental bird. The APA recognizes solid White, by far the most popular color, they are also occasionally found in Black and Blue.
Sultans tend to be active very friendly gentle birds and are said to be very talkative. They do well in confinement and many breeders raise them indoors. They are popular in urban gardens since they do little damage to the grass. Their mild temperament means they can be bullied by more aggressive breeds and do best in flocks with similar temperaments. They are fairly temperature tolerant but because of all their extra feathering they do not do well in wet or muddy weather and do not do well free ranging. The hens are fair layers of small/medium white eggs, they usually are non-sitters.
It was recognized by the APA in 1874.
It is on The Livestock Conservancy's Critical list.
Details:
Breed purpose: Ornamental
Comb Type: “V”
Broodiness: Non-setter
Climate Tolerance: Hot climates
Weight: 6 lbs roosters, 4 lbs hens
Egg Productivity: Fair
Egg Size: Small/ Medium
Egg Color: White
BYC Breed reviews:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/sultan
General breed discussions & FAQ thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/272085/the-sultan-thread/0_20
Sultan rooster @hokankai
Sultan rooster @kyexotics
Sultan chicks @yellowherb
Sultan flock @cluck-cluck
Sultan flock @kiaa
Sultan flock @hokankai
Sultan pullet @fishnet1971
Do you own Sultans? Are you a Sultan breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:
· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!
We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/
Sultans are an old breed that originated in southeastern Europe and were bred in Turkey, where they were known as the Serai Taook/Tavuk (Sultan’s Palace Fowl), legend having it that they were primarily used as ornamental fowl in the Sultan’s gardens. It is not known what breeds went into their makeup originally, but Polish chickens were used by early breeders in the UK and US to improve the breed. They were first imported into England from Istanbul in 1854, and into the US in 1867and today they are a rather popular show bird and ornamental bird. The APA recognizes solid White, by far the most popular color, they are also occasionally found in Black and Blue.
Sultans tend to be active very friendly gentle birds and are said to be very talkative. They do well in confinement and many breeders raise them indoors. They are popular in urban gardens since they do little damage to the grass. Their mild temperament means they can be bullied by more aggressive breeds and do best in flocks with similar temperaments. They are fairly temperature tolerant but because of all their extra feathering they do not do well in wet or muddy weather and do not do well free ranging. The hens are fair layers of small/medium white eggs, they usually are non-sitters.
It was recognized by the APA in 1874.
It is on The Livestock Conservancy's Critical list.
Details:
Breed purpose: Ornamental
Comb Type: “V”
Broodiness: Non-setter
Climate Tolerance: Hot climates
Weight: 6 lbs roosters, 4 lbs hens
Egg Productivity: Fair
Egg Size: Small/ Medium
Egg Color: White
BYC Breed reviews:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/sultan
General breed discussions & FAQ thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/272085/the-sultan-thread/0_20
Sultan rooster @hokankai
Sultan rooster @kyexotics
Sultan chicks @yellowherb
Sultan flock @cluck-cluck
Sultan flock @kiaa
Sultan flock @hokankai
Sultan pullet @fishnet1971
Do you own Sultans? Are you a Sultan breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:
· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!
We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/
Last edited by a moderator:
