Chicken Breed Focus - Phoenix

The Phoenix breed was created in Europe by combining strains of the Japanese Onagadori with more commonly available birds, Leghorns, Dutch, and various games were most commonly used. There are three recognised colors by the APA: Silver, Golden, and Black-Breasted Red, although breeders have developed many additional colors.

A Phoenix is a long-tailed bird that will molt every 1-2 years. Their tails typically reach 2-3 feet in length, with longer lengths possible only from a few select breeders. They should have a full curtain of saddle feathers and it is desirable that they touch or reach the ground. They are not to be confused with their distant ancestors, the Onagadori, who are non-molting longtail birds who have tails exceeding 12 feet in length. There are no Onagadori currently in the US, although there are some birds of partial heritage. The Phoenix should have a pheasant-like appearance, white earlobes, a single comb, and slate colored legs. The tail should be carried horizontally in roosters and slightly higher in hens. Phoenix hens are good layers of small to medium sized eggs, and go broody frequently. They are an active bird with excellent flight skills, and can make a great free range bird if given proper shelter and escape routes from predators. Keeping a Phoenix in a small coop is not recommended for best tail growth, as the tail will be stepped upon by coop-mates and ruined by frequent contact with feces and dirt. Large coops with runs that are cleaned regularly are great options for these birds. Covered, or elevated waterers, and a fully sheltered pen are a must if tail length is important to you, as are deep bedding in the pens. Otherwise, their care is no different than that of any other chicken breed.

Details:


Detail Value
Breed Purpose Ornamental
Comb Single
Broodiness Average
Climate Tolerance Heat
Egg Productivity Low
Egg Size Small
Egg Color White
Breed Colors/Varieties Silver, Silver Duckwing, Golden, Golden Duckwing, Black, White, Black-Breasted Red, Golden, Black, Blue, Gold Duckwing, others.
Breed Size Large Fowl
APA/ABA Class Single Comb Clean Leg



Pic by @ella


Pic by @ScratchesWithChickens


Pic by @Vcomb


Pic by @Vcomb

BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/phoenix

BYC Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/701041/phoenix-thread/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/273550/post-phoenix-pics-please/0_30

Do you own Phoenix? Are you a Phoenix breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

Looks like I'll be the first poster! I got two straight-run, bred-to-the-Standard bantam BB Red Phoenixes in early March from a breeder as a birthday gift (along with 13 other bantams), and I couldn't be happier. They both turned out to be cockerels, but what a better breed to get two roos in? Meet Viper and Cobra, my ridiculously handsome young men.










~Alex

My boyfriend bought me 5 hens and 1 rooster for Christmas last year. They were laying when we brought them home about 1-2 eggs per day in the coop we had. However, when we let them go free range, egg production exploded and I have had 5 successful hatches so far this spring with more I am sure later on. I have sold my last to clutches. I hope to sell more. The coop they were in is an A frame and is good to house about 6 medium sized chickens. But obviously not these!!! They were just originally just to have for eggs, but they decided otherwise as they almost all went broody around the same time and all started laying and sitting and disappearing under my house and in the woods behind and in the horse pasture to nest. I have attempted to locate the nests in the woods but so far I have not been successful. I can't wait to see more babies running around. The hens not only make great broody hens they are excellent mothers and protectors of their chicks. The one posted is my rooster in the A frame before letting them go free range. Ill post my hens as soon as I download some pics.

The line of Phoenix that I have are the Silver Phoenix. I'm sure they probably have another name but this is what I was told.

Someone really needs to import Onagadori.

allosaurusrock said:

Someone really needs to import Onagadori.

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I'm positive they're already in the US.

Here are some of the Silver Duckwing/Silver Phoenix I raised for showing purposes. They are indeed very broody and great mothers! I loved caring for them very much! Mine were extremely friendly.

My hen weight is 4 kg

wali said:

My hen weight is 4 kg

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Welcome to BYC That is a big girl, have you got a pic of her?

Would any one be willing to trade or could I possibly buy eggs. I have Cochin and orp hatching eggs and khaki Campbell duck hatching eggs