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Onagadori Chicken Breed Info

Modified: Feb 27, 2023 by Phil · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The Onagadori chicken is a beautiful, unique bird used for ornamental purposes because of its infamously long tail feathers. They hail from Japan and are considered an endangered species of livestock in the United States.

A beautiful long-tailed Onagadori rooster on a green pasture.

They are not generally used for meat or egg production, as hens will only lay around 80 medium-sized light brown eggs each year. They are not prone to becoming broody, but when they do, hens are fiercely protective of their chicks.

Jump to:
  • Onagadori Chicken Breed Quick Info
  • Origins of Onagadori Chicken
  • Some Things to Know About Onagadori Chicken
  • How Easy is it to Keep Onagadori Chickens?
  • Special Care and Considerations for Onagadori Chickens
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Onagadori Chicken Breed Quick Info

Onagadori Chicken Description

Onagadori Type/Size:Standard
Feather Color:Varies
Leg Type:Clean
Leg Color:Yellow
Skin Color:Yellow
Onagadori Ease of Raising/Keeping:Medium
Onagadori Special Care Needs:Yes
Is the Onagadori breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken?Rare, “endangered” status

Onagadori Use

MeatNo
EggsNo
Dual PurposeNo
Onagadori Temperament:Calm, docile
Onagadori Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Onagadori Egg Production

Egg ColorLight Brown
Egg SizeMedium
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year80
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksLow

Onagadori Meat Production

Dressed Weight MaleN/A
Dressed Weight FemaleN/A

Onagadori Climate Tolerance

HeatGood
ColdPoor

Onagadori Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size8 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying7 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest SizeN/A

Onagadori Size at Maturity

Male4 lbs
Female3 lbs

Origins of Onagadori Chicken

A beautiful long-tailed Onagadori rooster perched on a roosting bar.

This breed originated in Japan, in the Tosa Province. It is an old breed thought to have originated during the Edo period in the 1600s.

Today, it remains extremely rare outside of Japan and is not recognized in the United States.

Some Things to Know About Onagadori Chicken

An adorable Onagadori hen in a backyard under a tree.

The Onagadori chicken has a striking, impressive appearance. The tail feathers of this breed do not molt; instead, they continue to grow, sometimes reaching 20 to 30 feet in length!

You can find them in three different colors: black-breasted red, black-breasted white, and white. They have white earlobes and a large, single comb (which puts them at risk for frostbite). The average tail length is at least four feet.

How Easy is it to Keep Onagadori Chickens?

A beautiful white Onagadori rooster perched on a rooster bar.

Onagadori chickens are very intelligent birds with great memory retention. They are even frequently used in animal cognition research studies.

They require extra care for their tail feathers but are overall calm and docile, making them relatively easy to care for. While they may not be the best option for beginner chicken owners, they make a beautiful addition to an established flock.

Special Care and Considerations for Onagadori Chickens

Like all chickens with large single combs, Onagadori chickens are at risk for developing frostbite in the wintertime. You can use a swipe of vaseline to protect their combs from freezing in low temperatures.

Their long tail feathers also require some special care and attention. Their tail plumage can be caught and damaged if they are not kept clean and in a supervised area. They require large spaces so that their tails are not threatened by the dangers of small roosting areas.

This breed also requires a high protein diet because they are designed to convert protein into energy more efficiently than other breeds. Finally, watch out for lice and mites, which can hide in their tail feathers.

Onagadori Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

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