Phoenix

Phoenix chickens are ornamental long-tailed fowl developed in Germany in the late nineteenth century from Japanese long-tail stock crossed with European breeds for vigor and fertility. The breed is separate from the Onagadori: Phoenix males grow sweeping tail and saddle feathers, but they normally molt rather than carrying the nonmolting tail associated with Japanese long-tail birds. They are light, active chickens with a pheasantlike outline, clean legs, single combs, and color varieties such as silver duckwing and golden duckwing in many standards. Hens lay small to medium white or tinted eggs, though exhibition and preservation are the usual reasons for keeping them.

A Phoenix flock needs more space than its body size suggests because the birds are agile, alert, and able to fly well. High, smooth perches, dry litter, and covered or well-drained runs help protect tail feathers from breakage and mud. Breeding pens are usually selected for long, narrow feathering, sound fertility, and calm handling, since a beautiful cock with damaged feathers or poor vigor is of limited value.