A symbol of power and wealth in Japan, this long-tailed fowl cannot boast of carrying capacity and meat, but it is a champion in beauty and is grown as an ornament.
Although there are many different breeds of poultry, the onagadori is one of the most unique. In Japanese, onagadori means "long-tailed fowl", which this breed is: thanks to its appearance and specific characteristics, the Japanese government has declared it a special natural resource of its country.
It took centuries of breeding to create what the onagadori breed has become today. The three recognized color variants from Japan are: black-breasted white, black-breasted red and white. Breeders of these fowls must provide them with special houses with perches high above the ground to keep their tails clean and in good condition. The tails of these birds are constantly growing and can reach a length of 3.5 to even eight meters!
Onagadori is raised exclusively as an ornamental poultry.
The onagadori fowl is known for its beautiful multi-colored feathers.
They are hard to find, but they are worth adding to a flock of decorative hens. These fowl are peaceful and are an excellent choice for people looking for an egg-laying pet.
History and development of the Onagarod race
Onagadori is a Japanese breed characterized by long tail feathers. The breed is believed to have originated in Nagoya province where it was particularly popular among landowners and samurai. Onagadores were kept as pets, and their elegant tails were said to symbolize the status and wealth of their owners. However, the breed almost died out during the Meiji period, when many traditional Japanese poultry breeds disappeared.
Fortunately, a number of onagadori survived. Although still quite rare, this bird is an outstanding symbol of Japanese culture and tradition.
Appearance and character of onagadori poultry
Onagadori has an extremely long tail that reaches ten meters in length and brightly colored feathers, usually red, black and white, but there are also individuals with feathers in shades of blue and green. Only a few breeders outside of Japan specialize in onagadori coca, so this breed is quite expensive.
One of the most significant characteristics of this breed is a strong maternal instinct. Cockerels are fiercely protective of their chicks and will do anything to keep them from harm. This instinct is so strong that in many cases hens have sacrificed themselves to save the chicks from predators. In addition to their maternal instincts, onagadors are also known for their high level of intelligence. They learn new tasks quickly and have excellent memory, so they are often used in research studies on animal cognition.
Do onagador hens lay eggs
Onagadores lay eggs, but they are not good lays: only about 100 eggs a year, or two or three eggs a week. besides, they are not good for commercial breeding for their meat either. Their small stature is partly due to their inheritance from jungle bird races.
Health problems and nutrition of onagadori poultry
Each breed of poultry is susceptible to certain health problems, but some are specific to this breed, such as possible damage to the tail if the poultry stays in a confined space or if the hygiene of the poultry house and feathers is not maintained.
Onagadors have special nutritional needs in the form of high protein meals. A diet that lacks protein will lead to lethargy and weakened chickens.
Every species of bird is susceptible to a variety of parasites, including mites and lice, which can cause a variety of problems, from anemia to weight loss to reduced egg production. Onagadors are particularly susceptible to external parasite infestation: their silky feathers are an ideal hiding place for mites and lice, and infestations are common in this breed.
Advantages and disadvantages of onagadori poultry
The advantages of raising this breed are that it is good for indoor rearing, it is relatively small and quiet, easy to care for and requires little attention, and it is excellent as an ornamental bird.
Onagadori also has disadvantages: they are not good littermates and do not have the capacity for commercial breeding because of the meat.
They are not known for their flying abilities. In cultivation, they need high posts: their long tails make it difficult to balance on low branches, and poultry are prone to injury when falling.
