Yokohama
Long-tailed exhibition breed — Onagadori-derived.
Overview
The Yokohama chicken breed was developed in Europe, notably Germany, from long-tailed fowl imported from Japan during a period of increased international trade. These imports included birds believed to be ancestral to the Japanese Onagadori, known for their exceptionally long tail feathers. European breeders then refined these birds, focusing on specific aesthetic qualities such as feather development and body shape, to establish the distinct Yokohama type.
Over time, the Yokohama became recognized for its ornamental value and was admitted to poultry standards in various countries. It remains primarily an exhibition breed, prized for its unique appearance, particularly its flowing plumage. While not a mainstream production bird, it holds a niche among enthusiasts dedicated to preserving and showcasing its distinctive characteristics.
Origins
Tracing back to Germany (Japanese origin), the Yokohama earned its place in the lineage of chickens through generations of selection — a slow conversation between climate, husbandry, and human eye. Long-tailed exhibition breed — Onagadori-derived.
Temperament
Custodians describe the Yokohama as elegant and generally docile, but can be somewhat flighty..
Conservation
Current status: Not formally tracked, but maintained by dedicated breeders. · rarity tier Rare. Working populations remain in the hands of a small global network — 0+ of them keep programmes on Best of Breed alone.
Yokohama, in photographs.
A living plate — community submissions and high-resolution photographs from Wikimedia Commons, sorted by clarity.