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It was warm enough outdoors earlier today to take these photos of Hakuraikou now at 14 months of age. His tail is only about 2/3 as full as it was. He is starting to drop his juvenile feathers and grow in his adult plumage. He still has original saddle feathers and coverts remaining in blood-feather (growth state) so far while others are switching over to adult plumage.
His white contrasts nice with the dark gold leaves, while the red comb and wattles blend well with the warm colors and kind of bring it together.
Wow, that is one fancy chicken. Does he have trouble walking around with that humongous tail? Is there a reason for the length on the tail feathers or is it just for looks? Sorry about all the questions, just haven't seen a bird like that. Laverne
Indy , haven't heard from you for awhile . that is one beautiful bird , and it has to be so satisfying to watch such beauty .I'm having a ball painting on glass ,but haven't gotten the courage to tackle the bird on the stump yet . just give me time . We'll be leaving in about three weeks and wont be back until march , but you have been such an inspiration for me that i definitely will be taking my paints with me . sally
Laverne, he is 12.5% Ohiki and the rest is a blend of Phoenix and Onagadori (way back). I'm working to put right the Onagadori genes to produce true Onagadori in the US.
I'm getting closer and the birds have really taken on the Onagadori disposition and habits. Yes, they do have trouble walk, but they don't do much of it. They prefer to be high and dry 90% of the time. They can fly like the wind and are much more at home at roost than on the ground like a common chicken.
This comes from some green jungle fowl ancestry.
It's just as well that they prefer to be elevated too. It's for their own safety. They have extensive amounts of blood external of the body stored in many, many quill bases that, if caught and pulled, could lead to a fatal bleed out.
The Onagadori was originally bred in the Tosa Prefecture of Japan, now Kochi, on the island of Shikoku. They were bred for the long feathers that were used to adorn the helmets and staff ornaments of the Tosa procession. These were a form of tax in payment to the regional daimyo.
The breed is in trouble now days and threatened with extinction with only 11 elderly breeders remaining. Having an estimated 250 fowl divided amongst them. Hens lay just 10-30 eggs a year and the hatch rate is only around 40% and the mortality rate is high if they do hatch. That is believed to be due in a large part to inbreeding.
The roosters are kept in solitary upright cages to prevent injury. They stay roosted most of the time even given a choice to get down. They are made to exercise once a day... want to or not. LOL
Those who don't understand that the breed is different from barnyard fowl in habit and disposition often imply that keeping them housed that way is inhumane, but it's quite the opposite. To force them to remain un-perched or otherwise put them in danger of entanglement and bleeding to death would be quite cruel.
His tail really isn't "humongous" yet. Just starting. Lengths of 12 ft or more are standard for pure Onagadori... which he isn't, but close enough to require similar care.
There is a lot to keeping them; special housing, winter heating (tropical breed through and through!), daily diet preparations (commercial feed doesn't cut it!), grooming (their nails, spurs, and upper mandibles grow rapidly too), supervised exercise sessions, etc.
People who have kept chickens think they know how these should be kept, but they are so different. I know what it is, people think they have a comb, so they must be like every other breed. I have seriously thought about not letting any more of my line out. And I wouldn't if I didn't need funds for feed. I look forward to the day when I will have other alternatives and can guard my line from unwilling advice takers. Sometimes I feel as though letting any out is committing them to a death sentence because people seldom ever listen as to how things must be done with them.
I can't wait to see what you come up with, Sally! I like seeing these birds in any art. :-) (they are all over Kochi, featured on statues, murals, on city busses, and even city manhole covers)
Some just hatched http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Indiana_Gardener/David...
They look quite helpless there, but they learn to fly within a week and have mastered controlled flight complete with agile rudder action by 3 weeks. A brooder with a lid is a must. LOL
The Phoenix chicken breed was developed in Germany from the Onagadori by mixing in modern game and leghorn. The Phoenix chicken contains about a drop of Onagadori blood now.
As far as the mythological Phoenix, I suppose the Onagadori is enough different from other chickens to seem mythological. Not just in appearance, but habits and diet as well.
Glad I had chance to see this thread. Such a lovely bird, had not seen one before. I admire your care for this breed and concern for letting some of your line out to folks that may not take your advice for the special needs of these beauties. Keep up the good work. :)
I've had an interest in Japanese gardening since an early age. In the photos I first saw of the birds I thought they were garden birds. I realized later they were just taken out for photos. I still liked them and welcomed the challenge of such an endeavor.
I obtained the best stock in the US, not pure, but best of what exists here. I soon became best friends with that breeder.
There was/is a severe lack of correct or in depth info on the birds here in the US. Another friend of mine, my bonsai teacher, here in the US visited some breeders in Japan and gave me their address. It so happened it was the family who developed the breed as it's known today. The best source for learning! We've become great friends over about the past 5 yrs and I treasure their friendship very much. They are some of the kindest people I could ever meat. Though we have never met face to face, I can tell they are very kind hearted, sweet, and caring people by their letters.
Through them not speaking english and my nihongo (Japanese language) skills not being good enough, I became friends with another very, very kind lady who is very generous with her time and efforts in helping with translation.
I am only able to write once every few months due to time factors, but every letter is a treasure. It's become almost like hearing from someone you've always known or even family.
That is how miniature trees led to birds and great friendships followed. The birds are a lot of work, but I wouldn't change anything.
