![]() NOTE : Apart from the condition of their tails, many owners claim that Phoenix chickens do quite well in smaller spaces. Note that they also run the risk of picking up dirt and feces when in a more confined space. Provide higher perches that allow for their tail feathers to hang down, and make sure there is enough living space so their tails don’t get stepped on by fellow chickens. So just like long human hair, you’ll have to tend to the feathers regularly, keeping them clean and ensuring their environment isn’t overly dirty. Phoenix still molt much less often than other chickens, giving the breed a chance to grow tails up to five feet in length. However, when the Onagadori was cross-bred with the European varieties, all of whom molted regularly and consequently had shorter tails, some of the luster of the long tail feathers was lost. Like human hair, it would just keep growing and growing. Some Onagadori tails are said to have pushed 30 feet in length ( 3), Their ancestors, the Onagadori, had a rare gene that prevented their tail feathers from molting. Helping a Phoenix grow a gorgeous tail requires a great amount of care and attention. This makes them a high-maintenance bird. But the most impressive tails you see - the kind that makes you want to run out and buy one right now - come at a cost to you, the owner. The tail of a Phoenix is without a doubt their best feature. (More on living quarters for Phoenixes further down.) Is That a Pheasant? No, It’s a Phoenix! The Phoenix Tail They prefer warmer climates to cold ones, but, when given a good coop to shelter from the cold, they can do just fine in winter weather. Their feet and shanks are clean and smooth and are anywhere from a light to a dark blue or slate color. ![]() They have dark reddish-brown eyes and their earlobes are strikingly white, giving the appearance of earrings hanging from the sides of their heads. Both their wattles and combs are bright red. Their wattles are also small to medium size on most birds. Roosters sport medium-sized combs while the females generally have smaller ones. The Phoenix chicken has a single comb type with five upright points. Not too big when you consider that an average Leghorn (one of their relatives) is usually 6-7 lbs! There is also a bantam version of the Phoenix, which weighs in closer to 1.6 lbs for the males and 1.5 lbs for the females. The Phoenix is not a particularly large chicken, with their standard weights being approximately 5.5 lbs for a rooster and 4 lbs for a hen ( 2). Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of a Phoenix chicken and what makes them such a majestic-looking bird. When you take a bird that came from the Japanese Onagadori - a combination of the Shokuku, Totenko, and possibly Minohiki Japanese breeds - and cross-breed it with Leghorns, Modern Game, Old English Game, Bruegge Game, Kruper, Malay, Ramelsloher, and Yokohama breeds (these guys have a lengthy pedigree!) ( 1), you know you’re going to get something special. The gambit worked, giving us the breed known today as the Phoenix. He bred them with heftier, more robust chickens like Leghorns and Dutch varieties. Hugo du Roi created the Phoenix breed in Germany in an attempt to bolster their stamina and equip them to handle the weather. With the fate of the European colony of Onagadori at stake, Mr. NOTE : For more information on chicken diseases and how to spot them, check out our article, Chicken Diseases 101. Many of them became ill and died, which led breeders to search around for a solution. The Onagadori did not thrive in the colder, harsher European climate. Naturally, when Europeans arrived on the scene, they wanted to take a few back with them. While there were many breeds of ornamental chickens, the Onagadori was the most famous. These were truly long-feathered birds, with feet upon feet of tail feathers. Historically, Japan had a tradition of keeping “garden chickens” as a sort of outdoor pet/lawn ornament. While Japanese blood does run in their veins, they are technically a European breed. It’s common to see Phoenix chickens referred to as “Japanese Phoenix chickens,” but the truth is, that isn’t 100% accurate. The Feathery Details: A Piece of Phoenix History Phoenix In A Nutshell Purpose for breeding These gorgeous birds ride the line between farm animals and household pets, making them one of the most fascinating birds you’ll ever meet. Some, however, are beautiful… and, as is so often the case in life, the good-looking ones just aren’t as productive in the day-to-day grind. ![]() Your Ultimate Free Guide To The Incredible Phoenix Chicken Breed ![]()
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