Raraku are a type of Rapanui Fowl from Easter Island. The native name for the island is Rapa Nui and is the namesake for the classification of these and several other island landrace fowl because this island offered a critical landing site for the genetics that would radiate to other islands. The ancestral forbearers of Raraku arrived to Rapa Nui with Austronesian seafarers. Birds collected from Easter Island by European colonialists and tradespeople were brought back to Europe as early as the 1500s and traces of Rapanui Fowl blood are found in several European breeds today.
Modern Raraku offer a glimpse into the cultural preferences of Easter Islanders. There seems to be several morphs that were favored. Selective breeding produced spectacular traits but also maintained genetic diversity. Raraku today bantam in size and can display a small crest of feathers on their heads. They are clean-legged and usually have slate, blue, or pearl shanks. The faces of males are ideally a vivid pinkish-red. Feathers can be brilliantly iridescent and are often in the purple range attributed to their Violaceous Junglefowl ancestry. Raraku lay eggs in a rainbow of colors including blue, green, and tinted. Some Raraku today display polydactyly which can be traced back to crossing with Kiri Kiri fowl to introduce genetic diversity to a dwindling reservoir.
Raraku are incredibly hardy birds and are adept free rangers. They are independent and roosters are diligent lookouts while hens maintain an instinct for broodiness and make great mothers. In many ways they resemble their wild Red and Green Junglefowl ancestors in their behavior and resilience. They are also seasonal layers much like their wild cousins.
Red Duckwing Hen
Red Male Displaying Polydactyly
Silver Male
Black Crested Hen and Silver Male
Raraku Eggs
Modern Raraku offer a glimpse into the cultural preferences of Easter Islanders. There seems to be several morphs that were favored. Selective breeding produced spectacular traits but also maintained genetic diversity. Raraku today bantam in size and can display a small crest of feathers on their heads. They are clean-legged and usually have slate, blue, or pearl shanks. The faces of males are ideally a vivid pinkish-red. Feathers can be brilliantly iridescent and are often in the purple range attributed to their Violaceous Junglefowl ancestry. Raraku lay eggs in a rainbow of colors including blue, green, and tinted. Some Raraku today display polydactyly which can be traced back to crossing with Kiri Kiri fowl to introduce genetic diversity to a dwindling reservoir.
Raraku are incredibly hardy birds and are adept free rangers. They are independent and roosters are diligent lookouts while hens maintain an instinct for broodiness and make great mothers. In many ways they resemble their wild Red and Green Junglefowl ancestors in their behavior and resilience. They are also seasonal layers much like their wild cousins.
Red Duckwing Hen
Red Male Displaying Polydactyly
Silver Male
Black Crested Hen and Silver Male
Raraku Eggs
