An ornamental long-tailed breed developed in Germany from Japanese long-tail fowl exported via the port of Yokohama. It is closely related to the Phoenix but is distinguished (in the Red-Shouldered form) by its pea comb and white-and-red plumage.
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Standard: cocks ~1.8-2.25 kg (4-5 lb), hens ~1.1-1.6 kg. Bantam version exists. Noted for a long flowing tail and, in the red-shouldered type, a distinctive pea
Lifespan
5–8 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Germany
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Gallus
Part of the Chicken breeds
Recognized chicken breeds — selectively bred for type, purpose, and appearance.
Yokohamas have long sweeping tails like Phoenix — perches must be high (≥ 30 in) on a tall, scrupulously clean coop floor to keep saddle/sickle feathers undamaged. Covered run protects from rain, mud, and raptors.
Tall coop with high roosts, smooth ramps (no wire that catches feathers), soft grass run, and (for show cocks) individual pens with tail boards. Provide ventilation in heat and a frost-free coop in winter.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Showroom pen + supervised free-range orchard
Individual roomy pens + supervised free-range
Spacious individual pens for cocks with high perches and pristine bedding, plus supervised free-range orchard time so tails do not drag through mud. Best feather quality and reproductive health.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
Birds develop inside a hard-shelled egg incubated by the parent(s). Egg size, shell color, and clutch size vary by species; the embryo develops over days to weeks before hatching.
Photo coming soon
Hatchling / Chick
Hatchlings are either altricial — naked, blind, and dependent on parents (typical of parrots and songbirds) — or precocial — downy, mobile, and self-feeding soon after hatching (typical of poultry and waterfowl). Down gives way to the first feathers.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile / Fledgling
Fledglings grow in their juvenile plumage and begin to fly and feed themselves, though they may still beg from parents at first. Juvenile feathering is often duller than the adult and is replaced as the bird matures.
Adult
Adults attain full body size and mature plumage, and are capable of breeding. Many species show distinct adult coloration, and in sexually dimorphic birds males and females differ in plumage, size, or markings.
(c) D. N., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) via iNaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/312084723
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Like other long-tails, it needs tall, scrupulously clean, dry housing with high smooth roosts so the tail and saddle hangers stay long and unbroken; a covered run shields plumage from mud and rain. The pea comb of the red-shouldered type is more cold-tolerant than a single comb, but draught-free shelter is still advised. Calm surroundings help these flighty birds settle.
Diet
Balanced ration with sufficient protein to sustain feather growth, supplemented with grain, greens, grit, and oyster shell for laying hens. A slight protein increase during molt aids feather quality. Keep water vessels positioned to avoid wetting the tail.
Behavior & temperament
Purpose: ornamental/exhibition. Active, alert, and somewhat shy/flighty but tameable with regular gentle handling; generally docile toward people once accustomed. A light layer of small tinted/cream eggs (~80/year), with hens prone to broodiness and good mothering. Cocks may be kept in small groups but watch for plumage damage.
Health
Hardy overall; the chief welfare issues are tail-feather breakage and fouling without proper high roosting and dry litter. Inspect heavy plumage for external parasites. The pea-combed Red-Shouldered type resists frostbite better than single-combed long-tails. No notable inherited disorders.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Install high, clean roosts and maintain dry bedding to protect the long tail. Handle gently and frequently to reduce flightiness. Two main types are kept — the white-tailed/saddled and the Red-Shouldered (red-and-white) — so confirm which standard you are breeding to. Protect plumage from rain with covered runs before shows.
