Introduction of Japanese native fowls

In Japan many peculiar native chicken breeds are kept, and among them seventeen chicken breeds are assigned as natural monuments of Japan. Eight typical breeds and the Chabo(the Japanese Bantam ) are introduced in this homepage and trace the history of formation of these breeds. Almost of them originated from exotic breeds which were imported from ancient China and the south-east of Asia several hundreds or thousands years ago. Since then, they have been genetically improved for various purposes, such as companion animals, time keepers, fighting games and meat production.

Click here for the pictures of 1-8.
Click here for the picture of 9.

1. Onagadori (Japanese long tail fowl)
They have the longest tail feathers among all breeds of chicken. The tail feathers of males continue to grow without molting, and the record of the longest length of the tail feathers is 12 m. Most Onagadori are raised in the Kochi Prefecture. BW: 1,800g in males and 1,350g in females.

2. Shokoku
They were originally one of the breeds used for cockfighting, and were also used to establish other Japanese native breeds. At present, they are not raised for cockfighting but for their the beautiful appearance. Many of Shokoku are kept in Mie and Kyoto Prefectures. BW: 2,000g in males and 1,450g in females.

3. Minohiki
They are thought to be based on crossbredstock between Shokoku and Oh-Shamo. Many of them are kept in Aichi and Shizuoka Prefectures. BW: 2,500g in males and 2,000g in females.

4. Tomaru
They may have originated from the crossbreeding of Shokoku and China -derived "Dai-Tomaru". They are characterized by their long duration for crowing. Many of them are kept in Niigata Prefecture. BW: 3,750g in males and 2,800g in females.

5. Koeyoshi
They are one of the breeds that have the longest crowing time, and kept mainly in Aomori , Akita and Iwate Prefectures. The external appearance of this breed is somewhat similar to Oh-Shamo. BW: 4,500g in males and 4,000g in females.

6. Satsumadori
They were originally included among fowl for cockfighting. At present, however, they are not used for cockfighting but for their beautiful plumage. Many of them are kept in Kagoshima and Miyazaki Prefectures. This breed is also thought to be based on crossbred stock between Shokoku and Oh-Shamo, as well as Minohiki. BW: 3,380g in males and 3,000g in females.

7. Oh-Shamo (Japanese large game)
Original birds of this breed were introduced from Thailand during the Edo-Period. They were used for cockfighting. Moreover,breed has been used to establish new meat-type commercial chickens because they have good meat quality. BW: 5,620g in males and 4,880g in females.

8. Kurokashiwa
They are characterized by dense black feathers over the body and blackish red skin on the comb, face, and wattle. Many of them are kept in Yamaguchi and Shimane Prefectures. BW: 5,620g in males and 4,880g in females.

9. Japanese Bantam (Small body sized Japanese breeds)
One of the typical fowls with a small body size is "Chabo". There are twenty kinds of feather color or feather structure varieties within the Chabo breed. Besides the Chabo, Japan has Ukokkei (Silkie fowl), Ko-Shamo (Japanese small game, and other small sized fowl.