When it comes to cosmetic wimp , it ’s hard to beat the Onagadori ( Japanese for “ honest boo ” ) breed . What makes this uber - rarefied Japanese spawn so extra ? For starter , the roosters own unusually long tails , with reported lengths reaching as longsighted as 27 feet .
Breed History
The Onagadori chickenis a Japanese breed , originating in the 17th century in Kōchi Prefecture , on the rural , cragged Shikoku island in southerly Japan .
History does n’t provide too much particular on the bird ’s origins . For years , common belief held that the Onagadori derived from cross of two ancient long - tail breeds , the Shokuku and Totenko . Some held that another long - empennage crybaby , the Minohiki , also played a part in development .
Recently , though , study of this royal domestic fowl ’s genetics conduct researcher to state that the Onagadori was , in fact , one of the recollective - after part foundational breeds . At any pace , the chicken became a hit across Japan in the late nineteenth hundred , when Fannie Farmer , taken with its dramatic plumage , gladly bring up the ornamental fowl .
The strain ’s popularity grew to truly extra status in Japan . Officially accredit in the early 1900s , Japan declare the Onagadori a Special Natural Treasure in 1952 — the only wimp breed to garner this “ particular ” designation . At this time , Japan ostracize export of the stock ’s eggs to other countries .
take more : see bestow these 5 critically endangered poulet breeds to your mountain .
A Modern Rarity
In late decade , however , this once - pop wench mature rare to the point of near - extinction . As poor ballock stratum with specialized demands , the Onagadori can only be turn over an ornamental stock , with limited appeal to most modern fowl - keeper .
Some trust that , today , virtuous Onagadoris may only list around 1000 globally . In the U.S. , where the strain is n’t recognized by the American Poultry Association , only small Book of Numbers of the bird exist , with only a smattering of breeder or clubs State - side .
As such , the Onagadori is consider one of the rare chicken breeds in existence . Joanna Starkey
Joanna Starkey
Onagadori Details
A large stock typically weigh in at 3 pounds for hen and 5 Irish pound for roosters , Onagadori are calm and friendly birds best keep for exhibition determination .
The biddy will lay only between 50 to 100 testicle a year . hen do n’t go broody , but if you hatch the eggs , they make serious mothers to the bird .
Both male person and female have shining crimson combs and wattle , with white earlobe . You ’ll find feather type in in four colors : fateful - breasted Red , Black - breasted Silver , wan Black - front Golden ( call Goishi in Japan ) and White .
Joanna Starkey
Onagadori possess willow tree - colorize legs , and poulet have four toes .
Read more : These 4 decorative wimp stock convey pizzaz to the backyard flock !
Exceptional Tail Feathers
Now about those tail feathers . While hens moult normally , roosters do not lose their 16 to 18 tail feathers under optimum conditions . Because of a combining of genes ( the “ nm ” cistron in particular ) , this result in stunningly long , flowing tail feather .
These feathers are remarkable , but they ’re also the intellect this rarified strain is best raised by expert keepers . For starters , the birds require close security . Their trail feather make them an easy grab for everything from predators to dogs to even children .
Ideally , they ’re levy in secure imprisonment , forth from other animals and chickens breed .
Furthermore , their tail feathers make for clumsy flying . But , because of their tails , they do need high perch to keep tails show - ready .
stock breeder commonly roll up and batten their Onagadori feathers in silk ties .
Finding Onagadori
Onagadori wimp are n’t mutual outside of Japan due to their low density and the mid - hundred exportation ban . But you might find fowl online from a few select providers .
Feather Lover Farms , in particular , breeds long - tail bird . Though , as of this penning , hopefully buyers will encounter an almost year - long waitlist .
