Phoenix
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fun Fact
The Phoenix carries a genetic mutation called 'non-moulting' or 'slow-moulting' that causes it to retain its feathers far longer than normal chickens, allowing continuous tail growth. In perfect conditions with specialist housing, a Phoenix cock's tail can reach 150–180 cm (5–6 feet) in length — though reaching the length of the Japanese Onagadori (which can exceed 10 metres) requires decades of Japanese-style specialist management that is practically impossible in European conditions.
A spectacular German-developed ornamental breed bred from Japanese long-tailed fowl — primarily Onagadori, Minohiki, and Yokohama-type birds — that German breeder Hugo du Roi imported and standardised in the 1880s. Unlike the Yokohama (which focuses on saddle feather length), the Phoenix is specifically bred to achieve extraordinary total tail length — in ideal breeding and housing conditions, the saddle and tail feathers of cocks can grow continuously for years without moulting. The EE standard recognises the Phoenix as the definitive European long-tailed breed. Kept purely for exhibition, the Phoenix requires specialised tall housing and careful management to protect its plumage.
🏷️ Breed
Phoenix
💭 Temperament
Calm, docile, exhibition-oriented; needs careful management for plumage protection
📏 Size
Medium (1.8-2.5 kg)
⏳ Lifespan
6-8 years
🎨 Colors
Silver duckwing (primary); gold duckwing, black-breasted red — EE standardised varieties
🌍 Origin
Germany — developed by Hugo du Roi, 1880s, from Japanese Onagadori and Minohiki imports
🏠 Habitat
Specialised tall housing; indoor or covered runs to protect tail feathers
🍽️ Diet
Layer pellets; limited free-range to protect feathering
🎯 Purpose
Ornamental
🥚 Egg Colour
Tinted
👑 Comb Type
Single
🏅 EE Class
Large Fowl