Description
Crested “Top Hat” Special
Product Overview
The Crested “Top Hat” Special from Cackle Hatchery® is a fun straight-run assortment of colorful crested chicken breeds and varieties. These eye-catching birds are known for their unique head feathers, showy appearance, and backyard personality.
This special is a great choice for customers who want a flock that stands out. In addition to their ornamental look, many crested breeds can also lay well and make a beautiful addition to a backyard poultry flock.
This special is sold as straight run only, which means chicks are not sexed and may include both males and females.
Assortment Details
The Crested “Top Hat” Special may include a hatchery-choice assortment of crested breeds and varieties such as:
Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens
Golden Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens
Mottled Houdans
White Sultans
Chamois Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens
Crazy Cackle Toppies
Tolbunt Polish
Blue Polish
Golden Laced Polish
Silver Laced Polish
Buff Laced Polish
Splash Polish
White Crested Black Polish
White Polish
Cackle Hatchery® will try to provide a nice assortment, but there is no guarantee of a specific breed, color, or variety.
Because this is a hatchery-choice special, Cackle Hatchery® does not tell customers which color, type, or breed was sent. Cackle Hatchery® also does not keep records of which breeds are included in each order.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
Crested chickens are often called “top hat” chickens because of the decorative feather crests on their heads. Depending on the breeds included, customers may receive birds with rounded crests, forward-sweeping crests, beards, muffs, feathered legs, spangled patterns, laced feathering, mottled plumage, or bold color contrast.
This assortment can create a flock with a wide range of looks, from the elegant Polish varieties to the alert Appenzeller Spitzhaubens, unusual Houdans, fancy White Sultans, and colorful Crazy Cackle Toppies.
The Crested “Top Hat” Special is a good fit for customers who want:
A colorful backyard flock
Crested or “top hat” chickens
A surprise assortment
Ornamental chickens with personality
Straight-run chicks
A mix of unique feather patterns
A flock that neighbors will notice
Fun birds for hobby poultry keepers
Egg Production and Backyard Value
Many crested breeds are kept for their ornamental appearance, but several can also provide useful egg production. Egg color, egg size, and laying rate will vary depending on which breeds are included in the assortment.
Customers should choose this special for variety, beauty, and backyard enjoyment rather than for a guaranteed production level. If exact egg production, egg color, or breed type matters, customers should order individual breed listings instead.
Temperament and Flock Suitability
Temperament can vary because this special may include several different crested breeds. Some birds may be active and alert, while others may be calmer or more ornamental in nature.
Crested chickens often do best with thoughtful flock management because their head feathers can sometimes limit vision. They may benefit from calm flockmates, predator-safe housing, and regular checks to make sure their crests stay clean and do not block their eyes.
This special works well for customers who enjoy variety and are comfortable raising a mixed group of unique chickens.
Crested Chicken Care Notes
Crested chickens need the same basic care as other chicks, along with a little extra attention as they grow. Their crests make them beautiful, but they can also require occasional maintenance.
For best results, provide:
A warm brooder before chicks arrive
Clean, dry bedding
Fresh water at all times
Chick starter feed
Good ventilation without drafts
Predator-resistant housing
Calm flockmates when possible
Regular crest checks as birds mature
Protection from wet or muddy conditions
Safe outdoor space with good visibility
If a mature bird’s crest begins to block its vision, customers may carefully trim feathers around the eyes or use gentle crest management to help the bird see better.
Straight Run Note
The Crested “Top Hat” Special is sold straight run only. This means chicks are not sexed and may include both males and females.
Customers who cannot keep roosters should consider this before ordering and have a plan in place if males are included.
Related Resources
Customers interested in crested and ornamental chickens may also like these Cackle Hatchery® options:
Polish Chickens for Sale
Top Hat Special Surplus
Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben
Chamois Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben
Mottled Houdan Chickens
White Sultan Chickens
Tolbunt Polish Chickens
Baby Chicks for Sale
Chicken Availability Chart
Crested “Top Hat” Special FAQs
What is the Crested “Top Hat” Special?
It is a hatchery-choice assortment of crested chicken breeds and varieties known for decorative head feathers and colorful appearance.
What breeds can be included?
Possible breeds include Appenzeller Spitzhaubens, Houdans, Sultans, Crazy Cackle Toppies, and several Polish varieties.
Can I choose the breeds or colors?
No. This is a hatchery-choice assortment with no guarantee of a specific breed, color, or variety.
Will Cackle Hatchery® tell me which breeds were sent?
No. Cackle Hatchery® does not tell customers which color, type, or breed was sent and does not keep records of the breeds included.
Is this assortment sexed?
No. The Crested “Top Hat” Special is sold straight run only, so chicks may include both males and females.
Are crested chickens good backyard birds?
Yes. They can make fun and attractive backyard birds, especially for customers who enjoy ornamental chickens and unique flock variety.
Do crested chickens lay eggs?
Many crested breeds lay eggs, but production varies by breed. This special is best chosen for variety and appearance rather than guaranteed egg production.
Do crested chickens need special care?
They may need occasional crest checks because head feathers can sometimes limit vision or collect moisture and debris.
Are these good for customers who cannot keep roosters?
This special may not be the best fit if roosters are not allowed, since it is sold straight run only.
Why choose the Crested “Top Hat” Special?
It is a fun way to raise a colorful, unique flock of crested chickens without choosing just one breed.
Katherine Williamson (verified owner) –
We needed to order Turkeys and five of the top hat surprise “fell into my cart” to make sure we hit the minimum order number for no extra fee. It pretty much evened out and got us SEVEN new cute faces alive and well! We got 2 extra Top Hats and even an extra Turkey! I’m in love. I have been dying for a Mottled Houdan but couldn’t justify a small order just to get a couple. It’s like Cackle read my mind! We got 2 gold spangled spitzhaubens, 1 silver spangled spitzhauben, 1 gold laced polish, 1 blue polish, 1 mottled houdan, and 1 ? It’s got the wider nares but it’s yellow with one single black spot on its head and no extra toes, so not another Houdan. Very curious to see what it is as it does not look like the silver spangled spitzhauben at all either and that was my closest guess. All in all, again thrilled with the order and variety! Everyone is a little cranky from their trip but no one looks unwell. Polish chicks for us have always seemed very fussy but with some electrolytes and a bit of poultry cell, they seem to get settled quickly. Another 10/10 order!
Megan Macfarlane (verified owner) –
I ordered the Crested Top Hat Special right over a month ago. I ordered them and silkie chicks. Everyone arrived alive and well. While I do not know all of the names of the colors, I received a beautiful variety of chicks! They are doing great! I have not lost one! Make sure you read the after care instructions that they send along with the chicks, or from the email you receive for aftercare. The chicks need special care after traveling. It’s not the same as hatching them on your own or purchasing from the store. Pasty butt is the one thing I have had to deal with after ordering chicks. Checking on them 3 times per day for the first few days and making sure their little hind-ends stay clean will keep them alive and well. This is my second order with Cackle Hatchery and I couldn’t be more happy with them! Great quality birds!!
muffinstuff46 (verified owner) –
I love these chicks, I call them “Wiggies”. I am very happy with the variety I rec. I did get 2 I had not seen before, they have what I call a mohawk instead of a wiggie. I rec a black wiggie and pretty sure its a rooster which is great, can’t wait to see what baby chicks will look like mixed with the rest of my flock.
I would defenitly get this special again.
Shanna Cook (verified owner) –
Great mix all happy and healthy. Several males and females. I was pleased with this grouping amd will order again!!
Todd Neumann (verified owner) –
My kids wanted to add to their flock of 15 Jersey Giants and they picked the top hat special. Now that the chicks are 4 months old she loves the variety of chicks sent!
We will definitely order from Cackle again!
Katherine Williamson (verified owner) –
Very nice variety! We even got two gold spangled spitzhaubens and a tolbunt Polish. The value of what we would have paid for all the chicks was twice what we paid! We ordered 10, and 9 arrived alive and well. One did not make it out of the box which is an inherent risk with shipped chicks. No extras but that has been typical of all our orders. (And has not been necessary as our losses have thankfully been so few) The others immediately took to eating and drinking and are getting along very well with our other chicks. All in all extremely happy with our order again!
lajems65 (verified owner) –
Love my tophats. Great variety from two different orders, golden lace polish-white polish-splash polish-mottled houdan-blue polish-black polish-tolbunt polish-buff laced polish-golden spangled spitzhauben-silver spangled spitzhauben.
CHELSEA BUSBY (verified owner) –
Not only were my chicks happy and healthy on arrival, but I got an AMAZING spread of the breeds I wanted. I desperately wanted some chamois spitzhaubens but was unwilling to pay nearly 18$ a pop for em. Decided to hedge my bets on the Top Hat special and got not only one but multiple, alongside a good variety of everything. I fully expected to get mostly the cheaper breeds, but no it’s a true variety pack at a fraction of the cost of the guaranteed breed options.
Destiny (verified owner) –
I ended up receiving 18 beautiful and healthy “top-hat” chicks! Seems like I really hit the jackpot when it came to variety and have about 7 unique colors/patterns, which I’m hoping means that I got 7ish different breeds! From the ones that I do recognize I’m quite surprised as they are rather expensive breeds and I wouldn’t have expected them thrown in so commonly in something like this! The chicks were shipped out Wednesday and arrived 6:45am on Friday. I’m honestly a little surprised there were no casualties considering the weather was rather cold, low 40’s-60’s, but everyone looks fine!
Katherine Brooks (verified owner) –
I ordered these along with some Guinea Fowl. All arrived alive, however the next day 1/2 of the Guinea died. All of the birds had very bad pasty butt. Now that the “top hats” are growing it looks like we only got three different breeds and all to my disappoint roos. From now on I’ll stick to buying local.
baileyharper870 (verified owner) –
I am absolutely amazed! We purchased 15 of these and we love them! All 15 arrived healthy as be! I wish I could show pictures. Looks like we have more polish then anything. But I am well pleased with shipping care for these babies. Thank you so much! Definitely recommend and will be buying again.
kwebb7255 (verified owner) –
Just received all 25 chicks and they are ALL alive, happy, and healthy. A great variety of colors and I’m in love with each one. Thank you so much and I will for sure be ordering more chicks in the future.
Rachel –
Great chicks!!!
I am very happy with my 12 Bantam Cochins and 7 royal palms!! they arrived alert and happy and two weeks later and all of them are still healthy and happy!! I will definitely order from you guys again!
Brittany –
Great Experience!
I ordered 5 of the “top hat special,” 5 splash silkies, and 5 bantam easter eggers. I ended up receiving 19 chicks total (probably due to the extreme cold during shipping). Temps were in the teens while my chicks were in transit, and not a single one has died. I got a good variety of crested breeds- 3 white polish, one golden laced, one silver laced, and one white crested black polish. When ordering from a different hatchery, I lost 5 chicks the first day and was shorted one. The Cackle experience was a much more pleasant one!
Faith –
Nice Variety
When I received my assortment all of the chicks were alive and healthy! There was such a great variety of them. I am so impressed with the quality chicks I received from you guys.
Melody –
Great chicks!!!
Thank you for your excellent customer service! Chicks arrived healthy and on time. Only 1 didn’t make it but extras were sent. Will continue to do business with your company.
nrg06 –
Love!
I received my order of 5 crested chicks (and one extra). They all arrived healthy and were a great variety. I will definitely order again!
Billie –
Thank you
Thank you so much for the beautiful healthy chicks. A very nice selection of breeds. I will be ordering again. I have wanted the crested breeds for years and I am very happy with what I got.
MB –
Thanks!
Thank you so much for my beautiful chickens! There were mostly roosters but I received 3 different breeds! I hope to see some little ones hatch this spring. I will be ordering the surprise box in spring and my mother n law will be helpful in the care of so many little ones!
Glen Puerto Rico May 2009 –
Thank You
We live in Puerto Rico and received our internet order of 40 chicks this morning at the Post office in our small central mountain town. You made Rolando’s day! He is in 7th heaven! Every one of the chicks arrived alive. EVERY one of them! He’s been following your instructions to a “T”. They all drank his warm sugar water, all are eating, and all are nice and cozy in the contraption he made with a light bulb ( I had to remind him that I think the “fluorescent” energy saving light bulb would not produce sufficient heat so he changed it). The chicks are all chirping happily in their new home in the mountains of Puerto Rico! We bought 40 eggs from a different company previous to this because we didn’t think anyone would ship live chicks here. NONE of them hatched in our incubator. Somehow I find you on the interest and we were delighted that you ship to us here, so I ordered assortments to check it out. I’m a city boy from Ohio and New York, and honestly I didn’t think these chicks would make it from Missouri to Puerto Rico. What a spectular scene to the eyes and ears when we opened that box! What a delight! They will be over-overloved and well taken care of and then they’ll join the rest of our “zoo” of 10 dogs, 2w macaws, 3 horses including a new baby, geese, turkeys, chickens, roosters, fancy pigeons, cockateils, Australian parakeets and fancy ducks on our property here in the mountains. We already took a look at your website for new additions. Thank you for everything.
Margie, Alabama March 2013 –
Cackle Hatchery
Just wanted to say thanks so much for the courtesy calls from your company on my chicken issue. I am not in the least upset with anyone other than myself. We will be re-ordering and looking forward to more beautiful baby chicks from you. Again thanks and have never conducted business over the net with anyone more cordial as you guys have been.
Michael New York April 2010 –
My praise to Cackle Hatchery and their staff
Good Evening, I just received my order of chicks from Cackle Hatchery today. I want to extend my sincere praise to your company and staff. My chicks arrived healthy and without a single casualty!!! I have ordered from other hatcheries in the past and have waited anxiously for my chicks to arrive only to be disappointed by dead or nearly dead chicks. Your chicks are the best I have ever received from a hatchery. Although, I am experienced enough to be able to tell which breeds are which, I appreciated the fact that your staff took the time to mark similar breeds. Again, thank you to your staff, They won me over as a customer. I will be sure to tell all of my fellow chicken fanciers how impressed I am with Cackle Hatchery.
Garry Arizona June 2011 –
Very Satisfied
My Crested Top Hat Special order arrived yesterday. Thank you for the beautiful bunch of chicks and making up the shorted chicks from my previous order. I am more than satisfied with you chicks and attention to customer satisfaction. I will recommend your hatchery to anyone that ask me where I got my flock.