Ohiki
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fait Amusant
In Japan, long-tailed chickens like the Ohiki were traditionally kept in tall, narrow wooden cages called 'tomaru' that allowed the tail feathers to hang straight down without touching the ground — the birds spent their entire lives in these vertical enclosures, tended daily by owners who treated feather maintenance as a meditative practice.
A rare Japanese ornamental breed developed on Shikoku Island, specifically in Kochi Prefecture, as one of Japan's long-tailed fowl. The Ohiki is a small to medium-sized bird known for its extraordinarily long saddle feathers and tail coverts — though not as extreme as the Onagadori, the Ohiki's tail feathers can still reach impressive lengths and require careful management. The breed has a single comb, clean legs, and a proud, upright posture typical of Japanese ornamental breeds. The name 'Ohiki' translates roughly to 'tail dragger', describing the way the long feathers sweep the ground. Developed during the Edo period (1603–1868) by Japanese poultry fanciers who valued long-tailed breeds as living art forms, the Ohiki is now rare even in Japan and even rarer outside it. The EE has recognised the Ohiki as a standardised breed under the Europastandard, and a small number of European breeders maintain it as a highly specialised conservation project.
🏷️ Race
Ohiki
💭 Tempérament
Calm, quiet, manageable in small spaces, not suited to free-range, delicate
📏 Taille
Small (1.4-1.8 kg)
⏳ Espérance de vie
5-8 years
🎨 Couleurs
Black-breasted red, white, black, silver — several colour varieties
🌍 Origine
Japan — Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island; developed during Edo period (1603–1868)
🏠 Habitat
Specialised indoor housing with elevated perches; long tails must be protected from damage
🍽️ Alimentation
High-quality poultry feed; protein supplements to support feather growth
🎯 Usage
Ornamental
🥚 Couleur des œufs
Tinted
👑 Type de crête
Single
🏅 Classe EE
Large Fowl