There are several breeds of chickens that are known for having unusually long legs. The most common long-legged chicken breeds include the Brahmas, Cochin, Faverolle, Langshan, and Sultan. These chickens are often referred to as heritage breeds and were originally bred for meat production. Their long legs allowed them to forage over wide areas for food. While not as efficient as modern broiler chickens for meat production, these long-legged breeds are kept today by hobbyists and backyard chicken enthusiasts who appreciate their appearance, gentle nature, and ability to evade ground predators.
Reasons for Long Legs in Chicken Breeds
There are a few key reasons why certain chicken breeds developed long legs over time:
Genetics
Genetics play a major role in body shape and structure in chickens. Breeders selectively mated birds with longer legs over many generations. This allowed the trait to become fixed within specialized breeds. The long legs are caused by genetic factors influencing bone growth and overall stature.
Original Purpose
As mentioned above, many long-legged breeds were originally created for meat production. In eras before modern farming, chickens were often allowed to roam and forage for their own food. Long legs helped the chickens cover more ground and move through vegetation and over obstacles while searching for seeds, insects, and plants to eat. Their legs allowed them to navigate the environment better than short-legged chickens.
Predator Evasion
Chickens with long legs can more readily escape terrestrial predators like foxes, weasels, raccoons, and feral cats. The long legs enable the chicken to run faster over land. Their higher stature also makes it more difficult for predators to grab them. Chickens will often roost in trees at night where predators can’t reach them. Longer legs enable the chicken to grip branches better for roosting.
Common Long-Legged Chicken Breeds
Here are some of the most common domestic chicken breeds with a reputation for long legs:
Brahma
The Brahma chicken originated from India and was brought to America in the 1800s. It is a very large bird with feathers on its legs and toes. It was originally used for meat production. The hens can reach 10 pounds and the roosters can reach 12 pounds. The legs measure between 12-18 inches long. Brahmas come in three color varieties: light, dark, and buff. They have a gentle personality and make good pets.
Cochin
The Cochin breed also came from China to America and Europe in the 1800s. It is another very large, heavily feathered bird. Cochins have massive amounts of fluffy feathers that make them look larger than they are. Under all those feathers are long legs measuring up to 15 inches. These gentle giants thrive in cold climates. Cochins have a wide variety of color patterns.
Faverolle
This old French breed has a beard, muffs, and feathers on the legs and five toes. They have a small V-shaped comb and come in several color varieties. Their long legs propel their moderately sized 5-7 pound bodies. The Faverolle is a very docile bird but an excellent forager. They are dual-purpose birds raised for both eggs and meat.
Langshan
Langshans originated in China, possibly thousands of years ago. They have sturdy long legs and a stately upright posture. Their legs measure around 18 inches long. Langshans have a single comb and come in two color patterns: black and blue. They are calm, hardy birds that lay reliably through the winter.
Sultan
This quirky breed from Turkey features a namesake Sultan’s feather headdress and beard, along with vulture-like feathers on its legs and toes. Sultans have very long legs for their body size. The legs measure around 12 inches while the body weighs only 4 pounds. These odd little birds are gentle and make interesting novelty pets. However, hens lay very small cream-colored eggs.
Comparison of Leg Length
To put into perspective how much longer the legs are on these breeds compared to a typical chicken, here is a table comparing leg lengths:
| Breed | Leg Length |
|---|---|
| Silkie Bantam | 5-6 inches |
| Plymouth Rock | 10-12 inches |
| Orpington | 10-12 inches |
| Rhode Island Red | 12 inches |
| Brahma | 12-18 inches |
| Cochin | 12-15 inches |
| Langshan | 18 inches |
As you can see, the long-legged breeds have legs that are often 50-100% longer than average chickens. This gives them a dramatic and distinctive appearance.
Advantages of Long Legs
The long-legged chicken breeds have several advantages:
Foraging Ability
Their long legs allow them to cover more ground while foraging. They can navigate over obstacles and vegetation better. This allows them to find more food on pasture.
Speed
Their long strides facilitate greater speed which is useful for evading predators. Long legs enabled survival in the eras before coops when they roamed free.
Winter Hardy
Since their legs keep their bodies elevated off the ground, they cope better in cold and damp conditions. Their feathering also aids in insulation.
Roosting
They are great at gripping branches on roosts due to their long toes. Being higher up helps avoid predators at night.
Meat Production
Historically these birds were used for meat production before modern broilers. The extra leg meat increased economic value.
Disadvantages of Long Legs
While long legs have many advantages, there are also a few disadvantages:
Egg Production
Some long-legged breeds like Cochins may have lower egg production than compact production breeds like Leghorns. The extra body size requires more energy.
Broodiness
The hens have a tendency to go broody more often. Broodiness interrupts the egg laying cycle until chicks hatch. This reduces total annual eggs.
Extra Feed
The larger, heavier breeds eat more feed per pound compared to smaller American or Mediterranean breeds optimized for egg production.
Extra Space
Their size may require more coop and run floor space than smaller chickens. Larger nest boxes are needed as well.
Climbing
Some chickens with feathered legs have trouble seeing their feet to grip and climb ramps into coops. Perches and ladder ramps help provide grip.
Tips for Keeping Long-Legged Chickens
Here are some useful tips for keeping long-legged chicken breeds:
Coop Type
Provide a spacious coop and run since they are large birds. Ensure adequate interior height for the upright breeds. Place perches low for them to roost.
Climate
Their hardiness handles cold climates well. Provide shade in hotter climates. Deep litter provides insulation.
Incubation
If hatching them, maintain higher humidity in the incubator due to their larger size. Monitor moisture closely.
Brooding
Start chicks on thicker litter like shavings rather than paper. Provide extra space for exercise. Raise feeders and waters for their tall stance.
Feeding
They require more feed than smaller birds. Free choice feeding often works well. Provide insoluble grit for digestion.
Handling
Brahmas and Cochins especially can be hard to catch due to their feathering. Approach them slowly and give them time to comply.
Conclusion
Chicken breeds with unusually long legs have a striking appearance and unique characteristics. They make interesting additions to backyard flocks. Their long legs served important purposes throughout history but are less practical in modern production systems focused on egg-laying. Nevertheless, their hardiness and gentle personalities make them pleasant pets and exhibition birds for fanciers who appreciate their traditional qualities. With good care and housing, the long-legged breeds can thrive and showcase their elegant stature. While quirky, they hold an important place in the heritage of poultry.