Did you know chooks (chickens) can have beards?

@JudyEv (342203)
Rockingham, Australia
July 2, 2020 7:27am CST
Did you know chickens are called ‘chooks’ in Australia? Chickens to us are baby chooks. There is great variety in the chook world, just as there is among many livestock breeds such as sheep or cattle. Some chicken breeds have unusual colouring; some have funny combs and some have funny feathering. Others have beards and/or muffs. Muffs are fluffy feathers which stick out horizontally from under the ears. The Belgian Bearded d'Uccle is one of those breeds that has a beard. It was first bred in Belgium on the outskirts of Uccle. It is a true bantam breed with no full-size equivalent. It also has feathers on the legs and is often called the Mille Fleur (thousand flowers) in the USA. There are a number of colour variations. The eggs are small and creamy in colour. Aren’t they just the cutest? Photo courtesy: Abrahami / CC BY-SA (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
24 people like this
22 responses
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Jul 20
It would be much cuter if it didn't have feathers on its legs!
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137661)
• United States
3 Jul 20
Hey! That's almost what I said, Jeff!
4 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Jul 20
@DaddyEvil It reminds me of women who don't shave their legs! haha
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
@DaddyEvil @moffittjc I agree it would be cuter without the feathers on the legs. They get really messy in most chook-pens.
3 people like this
@CinnamonGrl (7086)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
2 Jul 20
Unusual chicken features -- but pretty! I have seen pictures of all sorts of chicken varieties in the past, and some look very strange. I would never remember all the names of them, though. Thanks for the info and picture!
4 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 20
I know the names of quite a few as I have a real interest in them.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6850)
• United Kingdom
3 Jul 20
It will take longer to pluck then.
3 people like this
• United Kingdom
3 Jul 20
@JudyEv True. I'm more of a pheasant plucker myself.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
@Orson_Kart Are you able to sing that without stumbling?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
THe extra feathers are on the head so you don't normally pluck that.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
2 Jul 20
My grandparents had chickens and my grandfather was proud of the many species he grew, I have seen some with beards.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
3 Jul 20
@JudyEv I remember that my grandfather brought his chicken to agricultural shows, but when you are young you are not really interested to know more.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
I might have seen them at agricultural shows. There is an association of Bearded Belgian d'Uccles in Australia so they're around.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 20
@LadyDuck My uncle and several nephews showed chickens too. I was always interested in anything to do with farming or livestock.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317245)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Jul 20
It's adorable. You've mentioned chooks before so I knew you meant chickens.
3 people like this
@just4him (317245)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Jul 20
@JudyEv I love that you are.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jul 20
@just4him It's a work in progress!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
I'm gradually trying to educate you all.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (104231)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
3 Jul 20
Chickens are cute creatures,
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
Some make nice pets for kids too.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 20
@Deepizzaguy Have you seen this? I'm sure you'd enjoy it.
With the help of its owners, this chicken has been training to become a lean, mean, clucking machine by completing their homemade chicken agility obstacle co...
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (104231)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4 Jul 20
@JudyEv I did not know that fact.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
2 Jul 20
Yes. They are so cute
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 20
Apparently they make quite good pets too.
2 people like this
• Germany
2 Jul 20
@JudyEv Oh ok.
2 people like this
@rebelann (112988)
• El Paso, Texas
2 Jul 20
The one on the tree stump is so cute. I have to kick myself sometimes for not getting into having chickens long before now and now is when I know I couldn't handle it by myself.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
If you're used to something, then it's easy. Otherwise it's a whole new learning curve.
2 people like this
• Austin, Texas
2 Jul 20
You've provoked a memory. I had a brief encounter with chickens. My late husband spent his formative years on an out island in The Bahamas. He grew up around goats and chickens, etc. This was during the first year we were married. A guy on the corner somewhere wanted to get rid of some baby chicks and he gave them to my husband FOR FREE! I came home from work and saw those chicks and said: “Listen up Nassau boy! I'm a city girl and I don't know nothing raising chickens. You better get rid of them!” LOL. He look disappointed but he found another guy to give the chickens too. And I sternly warned him that before bringing any creatures into our home, he needs to consult with me first! That was one rule he learned to follow very well. LOL.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
You could have had your own fresh eggs!! lol
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (13162)
• Ireland
2 Jul 20
@judyev Mine were all destined for the pot so we weren’t fussy about how fancy they looked. We were only allowed to give two of them names (Heather and Audrey) so they were safe.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
Vince's family had some at one time. Two had names - Fred and Myrtle. Then they got new neighbours named, would you believe, Fred and Myrtle. We never ate anything with a name either.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
2 Jul 20
I've checked types of chickens out online out of curiosity. There are so many kinds. Chooks is one I never saw, but this is adorable!
3 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
3 Jul 20
@JudyEv Oh, so cute! Unfortunately, we are having rack of lamb tonight for dinner.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
There are dozens of breeds, isn't there? You should check out sheep breeds next. Look at this one. Cuteness sheepified. Photo courtesy: 4028mdk09 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 20
@DianneN I hope I haven't spoilt your dinner.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77164)
• Germany
2 Jul 20
Now I know why there are shops in the Philippines called Chooks to Go. They are selling barbequed chicken for take-outs. Thanks for the information.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 20
Haha - Chooks To Go. Maybe it's run by Australians!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
@thelme55 I would think that would be the more likely answer.
2 people like this
@thelme55 (77164)
• Germany
2 Jul 20
@JudyEv Maybe or it is run by the Filipinos who were working before in Australia
2 people like this
@Janet357 (75646)
2 Jul 20
Oh now I know why we have a grilled chicken company here with the name Chooks to Go. Yes it is cute;)
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
Someone else mentioned Chooks To Go too.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Jul 20
Another new word has been learned. Very cool. They are cute.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 20
I don't know where the word originated. I should research it but don't have time at the moment.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
2 Jul 20
They are cute. I will have ti mention them to my grandson who is now raising chickens.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 20
They come in some incredible colours. Here is a group of them. Photo courtesy: Bergere2005 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)-
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137661)
• United States
3 Jul 20
I like the beard/sideburns but the feathered feet look kinda nasty. I think it needs to wash it's feet a little more often.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108252)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Jul 20
They are cute. My easter eggers sometimes get the ear feathers
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 20
They look cute, especially if you're only used to seeing 'normal' chooks.
2 people like this
@Dena91 (16686)
• United States
2 Jul 20
Pretty markings on the chook, chicken. Raising your own chickens has become super popular here in our community in the past couple of years. I have 15 friends who raise their own now. When I first dated Mike he owned chickens and peacocks and bee hives.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 20
We had a lot of poultry on the farm when I was a kid. Backyard chooks are popular here too.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (181821)
• United States
3 Jul 20
Thank you for the information on the chooks. Great picture.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 20
You're welcome. She is a really pretty colour, isn't she?
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181821)
• United States
4 Jul 20
@JudyEv Yes, she is very pretty!
1 person likes this
• Agra, India
2 Jul 20
Omg...they look so strange to me
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342203)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 20
They do look a bit different.
1 person likes this