The phoenix is a breed that was developed in Europe from crosses with the Japanese ‘onigidori’ long-tailed fowl back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is one of the very rare poultry breeds in Australia, with an estimated remaining population of less than 50 pure pairs sprinkled around the country (as at February 2007). It is a striking bird that receives admiring comments from everybody that see it for the first time.
The males have extremely long tails and side hangers and watching them drag their luxurious train across a lawn as they chase their hens is an unforgettable sight. The hens have their own endearing qualities as well. They have a long curved tail that makes them pheasant-like in appearance. They are elegant, aloof, curious and tame, and give the impression that they mix with the ‘common’ chooks only because they have to.
WHY THE LONG TAIL?
Phoenix have two genetic peculiarities, a rapid tail and side hanger feather growth gene (up to a meter a year), and they moult their tail feathers and side hangers every 2nd or 3rd year. Main tail sickles usually moult at about 1.2 meters long and the side hangers at just under a meter long. From our experience, it appears that their moulting process is an ongoing extended cycle unlike other breeds that have short, regular annual moults.
HOW DO YOU KEEP THEIR TAILS IN GOOD CONDITION?
Because of its long feathers, the phoenix requires a bit more attention to husbandry than most of the other poultry breeds we keep.
Phoenix have three basic requirements when it comes to housing:
- They need a fairly spacious, dry pen (1.2m X 1.2m or larger) with a roosting perch at least 1.2m from the ground.
- Commonly used floor coverings such as straw, hay or wood shavings can create problems because they get caught up in the tails and hangers causing feather breakages or knots to develop. Fine lawn clippings or course sand are the recommended litters to use.
- Their tails can get waterlogged if they are out in the rain or wet grass and they can get tangled up in rank grass and gardens with heavy undergrowth. Letting them out for a scratch on a fine day on a well kept lawn or openly planted run is ideal.
The totally roofed, metal clad garden aviaries available at hardware and feed stores are excellent pens for phoenix.
COLOURS?
The main colours available in Australia are black/red, blue/red and golden duckwing.
We are currently working on a long term project to develop strains of black, white, spangled and blue duckwing varieties.
For anybody looking for a challenge and a rare breed that is obviously different you can’t go past the Phoenix.
Great photos and information on the history and genetics of phoenix and other long tailed breeds can be found by google searching long tailed fowl on the web.