White Sultan Chicken

White Sultan Chicken

The White Sultan Chicken, available at The Chicken Coop Company, is a breed renowned for its stunning plumage and gentle temperament. This breed is particularly well-suited for confinement but may need extra care in mixed flocks, as it can be bullied by more assertive breeds. The White Sultan's name originates from its historical association with the rulers of Turkey, who prized these birds for their beauty and grace.

Originally from Southeastern Europe, the White Sultan was bred in Turkey and introduced to England through Istanbul in 1854. The breed is distinguished by several unique features, including a crest of feathers on its head, a feathered muff and beard, feathered shanks, and an unusual fifth toe, setting it apart from other breeds. This exotic chicken was recognized and admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1874, cementing its status as a cherished breed in poultry enthusiasts' collections.

Additionally, the White Sultan Chicken is known for its friendly disposition, making it a delightful addition to backyard flocks where it can be appreciated for both its ornamental value and its amiable nature. However, because of their delicate features and docile nature, they are best kept in a protected environment where they can thrive without the risk of being picked on by more dominant birds.

Egg Laying:

• Modest Egg Production: White Sultan chickens are not known for their egg-laying ability. They typically produce only around 100-150 small white eggs per year. They are not the best egg layers and are often kept for ornamental purposes rather than for egg production.
  
  
• Seasonal Laying: Like many ornamental or bantam breeds, the White Sultan tends to lay seasonally, with peak production occurring in the warmer months. They can be less reliable in colder weather, so egg production may decrease during the winter.
  
  
• Small Eggs: The eggs laid by White Sultan chickens are small, but they are generally clean and white. Their egg-laying productivity can be lower than other breeds, but they can still provide fresh eggs during the season.
  

Temperament:

• Docile and Friendly: White Sultan chickens are generally very docile and friendly. They have a calm, gentle temperament and are not aggressive, making them a good choice for families and those who want a quiet, easy-to-handle chicken.
  
  
• Not Highly Active: They are not particularly active or excitable birds. This makes them well-suited to more confined living spaces, like small backyards or coops, where they don't require large amounts of room to roam.
  
  
• Social Birds: Sultan chickens tend to get along well with other chickens, especially within the same breed, but they can be more reserved around other, more dominant breeds. They can be a little shy but are usually not flighty or skittish.
  
  
• Quiet Nature: These chickens are generally quiet, making them suitable for suburban or urban environments where noise might be a concern. They are not known for being loud or crowing excessively.
  
  
  

Appearance:

• Distinctive Feathering: The most notable feature of the White Sultan is its extravagant feathering. They have a full crest of feathers on their head, as well as a beard and muffs around their face, giving them a distinguished and elegant look. The feathers are white and fluffy, creating a soft, cloud-like appearance.
  
  
• Small Size: The White Sultan is a bantam breed, so they are smaller than standard-sized chickens. They typically weigh around 2.5-3.5 pounds, with roosters being slightly larger than hens.
  
  
• Graceful and Ornate Look: Their overall appearance is very graceful, with a broad chest and rounded body. Their feathered legs also add to their ornate look, and their gentle, almost regal appearance makes them a favorite among ornamental chicken enthusiasts.
  
  
• Single Comb: Like many chickens, they have a small single comb and red wattles. Their comb is less pronounced compared to other breeds due to the heavy feathering around their face.

What are Sultan chickens good for?
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.

What color eggs do Sultan chickens lay?
Sultan chickens lay 50+ small white eggs a year, are non-sitters, and once had a reputation of being a good table fowl – the breast being large and the flesh being delicate and white. Early breeders made outcrosses to Polish chickens to add new blood. The breed has only one recognized color – White.

How rare are Sultan 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.

Where are Sultan chickens from?
Sultan chickens originate from Turkey. They were the breed of chicken that used to roam the Sultan's gardens in Constantinople, and were brought to the UK in 1854. This breed almost became extinct between the world wars, but was revived by combining other breeds.

• Poultry Show Class: All Other Standard Breeds – Miscellaneous Class
  
• Weights: Hen ——-4  lbs
  
• Rooster—-6 lb
  
• Pullet——-3 1/2  lbs
  
• Cockerel—-5 lbs
  
• Purpose and Type: Ornamental, Egg Laying; Exhibition
  
• Egg Shell Color: White
  
• Egg Production: Fair
  
• Egg Size: Small
  
• Temperament: Active
  
• Fertility Percentage: 40-55%
  
• Broody: Variable
  
• Mating Ratio: 7 Females to 1 Male
  
• Roost Height: 2 to 4 feet
  
• Country of Origin: Turkey
  
• APA: Yes, Recognized by American Standard of Perfection in 1874
  
• TLC: Threatened Status, Considered a sustainable heritage chicken breed.
  
• Breeder Farm Source: Poultry Breeding Farm” developing our bloodline or strain of pure of White Sultan chickens since 1975.