Pheonix Chicken Information

[Poultry Showman]

Hi Everyone!

I am hoping that someone out there is able to tell me a little bit about their experience with Phoenix chickens. I made an order from McMurray hatchery (pleased with the quality so far!) and did not order Phoenix chickens but had to have a substitute because they were out of Langshans. I don't know a whole lot about the breed but I would like to learn about them! If anyone could share what they know about them that would help so much. Thank you!

 

[newchickychick]

I'm not knowledgeable on the breed itself so I apologize if you're not looking for personal experiences with personalities as they're growing! But I did get 3 from my rare breed surprise from Cackle. They'll be 5 weeks old tomorrow so there's still lots of room for change.
TLDR of below: Super sweet albeit a little skittish, cautiously adventurous, have been really great with varying age groups/breeds in the brooder. (And really gorgeous. I can't emphasize gorgeous enough.)

It's looking like we got 2 pullets and a cockerel of the silver duckwing phoenixes. They're a little timid, but the pullets are warming up quickly. The cockerel is definitely pretty skittish but none of them have fussed with any other chicks outside of the occasional typical chest bumping chicks do. They all seem very 'on alert' compared to the other chicks when something new or strange is happening. Very observant! The noises they make are definitely pick-out-of-the-crowd. I love it! Of course, there's still plenty of growing for them to do, and things may change, but I've thoroughly loved having them so far. One of the pullets is often hanging out with the Silver Laced Wyandottes and the Crazy Cackle Toppie we got. They're the mischief makers, and the Phoenix pullet seems to like observing them and joining them. (Any time the temp brooder roof is off, that group is the first to escape to strut around the garage like they own the place. The phoenix will follow but seems to just want to be with that group. ) It's a wide variety of different breeds we've got, so that may be playing a part in it, but they get along so very well with all the other chicks of varying ages. (2-5 week olds in there)

 

[Poultry Showman]

Thank you! That seems to be the general consensus, that they are a bit skittish but very sweet. That's good to know.

 

[JedJackson]

I had them many years ago. They are small chickens, a bit flighty but can be tamed. Poor layers of small eggs. Mine never went broody, but they can. Extra protein is necessary for the males to develop the long feathers to the full. They are purely ornamental.

Because of their small size, they can be bullied by larger breeds, especially the females. The males are fairly tough. I had one that was aggressive toward me.

In Japan, long tailed fowl are kept on high perches in tight enclosures, to preserve the long feathers, which were worn on the helmets of Samarai warriors.

Phoenix are a European creation using old Japanese breeds mixed with European breeds-- thus the white skin and slate legs.

In my opinion, they are a specialist breed. They require extra care and it is difficult to breed good show specimens.

 

[newchickychick]

I had them many years ago. They are small chickens, a bit flighty but can be tamed. Poor layers of small eggs. Mine never went broody, but they can. Extra protein is necessary for the males to develop the long feathers to the full. They are purely ornamental.

Because of their small size, they can be bullied by larger breeds, especially the females. The males are fairly tough. I had one that was aggressive toward me.

In Japan, long tailed fowl are kept on high perches in tight enclosures, to preserve the long feathers, which were worn on the helmets of Samarai warriors.

Phoenix are a European creation using old Japanese breeds mixed with European breeds-- thus the white skin and slate legs.

In my opinion, they are a specialist breed. They require extra care and it is difficult to breed good show specimens.

I never knew this about specialist. I’ll do a lot of research on how to best treat them. And will definitely be sure our flock stays on good protein. What great info for OP (and me!). They sure are gorgeous.