Buttercup chickens get their name from their comb which looks like a cup-shaped crown with a complete circle of medium-sized regular points. This rare Mediterranean breed was imported from the island of Sicily over a century ago.
Males and female Buttercups do not look alike. Males are a rich, brilliant orange-red with some black spangles on their bodies and cape feathers at the base of the hackle, and a lustrous, greenish-black tail. Females are buff-colored with parallel rows of black elongated spangles across their bodies and are decent white egg layers. Both sexes have yellow skin and willow green shanks and toes.
This rare and exotic breed is excellent for exhibitions, shows and projects.