The one trait that many have found the most common amongst this type is their tendency to be a little on the flighty side, but don't let that put you off as their egg laying can be a highlight.
They are the chalky white egg producers, all except for one, the Cream Legbar who is renowned for the blue/green tinted egg shells. The Leghorn breed produces the largest of eggs in the chicken world, so much so that your eyes may water at the thought of how they laid something so big.
Floppy comb chickens are frequently more known for their noisiness, but their foraging is outstanding. Ideal for the larger yard where they are able to free range.
Floppy Comb Chicken Breeds
- Ancona
- Andalusian
- Cream Legbar
- Dorking (Silver Grey)
- Leghorn
- Minorca
- (Rare: Campine)
Ancona
Available in black and red. Very flighty and great escape artists. Fantastic forages, great egg output, curious and economical.
Andalusian
Fantastic forages, noisy, standoff-ish, tendency to be noisy. Less flighty than the others, but does not like confinement.
Cream Legbar
Highly sort after. Known as an Easter Egger variety that produce the blue/green shelled eggs. Quiet and non-aggressive.
Auto-sexing breed so roosters can be identified at the time of hatching. Not to be confused with the Gold Legbar who lay white eggs.
Dorking (Silver Grey)
A rare breed in Australia and worth saving. White egg layers who are shy and gentle, dual purpose. Good foragers.
Leghorn
Very popular suburban backyard breed. The white colour is the most common but available in other colour varieties. Friendly, calm, assertive and can be a little noisy at times. Lays huge eggs daily.
Minorca
Friendly, social and much quieter than the others. Lays exceptionally large eggs. Tolerates some confinement.
Campine
Some Campine strains may develop a flopped comb. Small hens, noisy, talkative, lays white eggs, great forager.
Frostbite
Due to the size of their comb, these chickens are more prone to being frostbitten in the extreme cold. Many are cold hardy but the combs still need extra care. An application of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) can help prevent the burn. For more information about frostbite on combs click here.
Head Shaking
Head shaking is common amongst these breeds to keep their combs from bothering their eyes. However, head shaking can also be a sign of throat irritation due to worms in the trachea or due to other health problems that need to be seen to by a vet.
Pecking
Other chickens may strike at their large comb or due to a flighty accident the comb might incur a tear. Dubbing may be necessary in some cases. (Dubbing is the cutting away of the comb and sealing with Betadine).