The Sicilian Buttercup chicken is a bird as unique as its name. It resembles a flower with a cup-shaped comb, golden plumage, and green legs that look like stems.
They were originally used as a dual-purpose breed, but today they are just used for egg production. Sicilian Buttercup hens will lay an average amount of large white eggs.
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Sicilian Buttercup Chicken Breed Quick Info
Sicilian Buttercup Chicken Description
| Sicilian Buttercup Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Reddish-orange or buff |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Green |
| Skin Color: | Yellow |
| Sicilian Buttercup Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Sicilian Buttercup Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Sicilian Buttercup breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare, “critical” status |
Sicilian Buttercup Use
| Meat | No |
| Eggs | Yes |
| Dual Purpose | No |
| Sicilian Buttercup Temperament: | Active, skittish |
| Sicilian Buttercup Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Sicilian Buttercup Egg Production
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Size | Small-Medium |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 140-180 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | Low |
Sicilian Buttercup Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | N/A |
| Dressed Weight Female | N/A |
Sicilian Buttercup Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Excellent |
| Cold | Moderate |
Sicilian Buttercup Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 5 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 5 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | N/A |
Sicilian Buttercup Size at Maturity
| Male | 6 ½ lbs. |
| Female | 5 ½ lbs. |
Origins of the Sicilian Buttercup Chicken
The origins of the Sicilian Buttercup chicken are not completely clear, but they are believed to have been developed on an island off the coast of Italy called Sicily.
What is known is that Sicilian farmers have been breeding chickens that look similar to the Buttercup chicken for generations.
The breed was imported to the United States in the late 19th century. After a bit of buzz around the breed in both the U.S. and England, the Sicilian Buttercup breed declined in popularity. Today, it is considered a rare breed in “critical” status.
Some Things to Know About the Sicilian Buttercup Chicken
The Sicilian Buttercup chicken has a unique appearance. Their comb is shaped like a flower, cupping upward with several points on top of their heads. They also have distinct green legs.
Hens have a beautiful golden buff color that contributes to their being named after buttercup flowers. Roosters, on the other hand, are reddish-orange with a black tail.
How Easy is it to Keep Sicilian Buttercup Chickens?
Like most Mediterranean breeds of chicken, Sicilian Buttercups prefer warmer climates over colder ones. They are built to do well in the heat and cannot stand cold temperatures very well.
They prefer to be free ranging and exploring and do not do well in confinement. They are known to be excellent foragers and will pick up tasty treats for themselves wherever they wander. They are great for compost piles because they scratch and dig more than the average chicken.
When it comes to their temperament, Sicilian Buttercups are very active and not the best pet or show birds. Some are calm, but most are skittish and reactive to humans. They are also noisier than the average chicken, so that is something to consider if you live close by to neighbors.
Special Care and Considerations for Sicilian Buttercup Chickens
As with all birds with a large comb, frostbite can be an issue. When the temperature drops, you can help to protect their comb with a bit of vaseline.
