Are some chicken breeds and chicken features purely ornamental? I have just hatched some sultans and I bought the eggs because they looked like fun chickens and I knew my girlfriend would love them. I also have some silkies and a marans. All these chicks are feather footed and it seems to do them no favours. I had assumed that all chicken features would have an advantage in some situation otherwise they would never have been selected for. I am now wondering if that is a fair assumption. What advantage do feathered feet bring? Crests? Vaulted skulls? Polydactyly? I know any chicken or egg is edible but some fancy chickens seem so.. pointless? I hope I don't offend anyone by saying that. I am enjoying my "pointless" chicks but just can't help but wonder what the goals of the original breeders where?