Description
Red Shouldered Yokohama Chicken
Breed History and Origin
The team at Cackle Hatchery® is proud to introduce the Red Shouldered Yokohama chicken. This rare ornamental breed was originally developed in Japan and is admired worldwide for its elegant appearance and long flowing tail feathers. Cackle Hatchery® has been one of the primary breeders of Yokohama chickens in the United States since 1977, maintaining strong bloodlines of this historic breed. The Red Shouldered Yokohama was admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1981 and is classified within the Oriental Class of poultry breeds.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
As the name suggests, the Red Shouldered Yokohama is known for its distinctive red feathering in the shoulder area, which contrasts beautifully with the bird’s traditional white plumage. This variety has a slender body with an upright carriage and a pheasant-like appearance typical of Yokohama chickens. Roosters are especially admired for their extremely long saddle and tail feathers, which are the primary feature sought by exhibitors of this breed. Under proper conditions, these tail feathers can grow two to three feet each year, creating an impressive ornamental display. Mature hens generally weigh about 3½ pounds, while roosters average around 4½ pounds. Pullets usually weigh about 3 pounds, and cockerels about 4 pounds.
Egg Production and Performance
Red Shouldered Yokohama hens lay cream or lightly tinted eggs that are generally small in size. Egg production is considered fair compared to production breeds because this chicken is primarily raised for its ornamental and exhibition qualities.
Temperament and Flock Suitability
These birds are active and alert, performing best when they have room to move and access to elevated roosting areas. They commonly choose roost heights of four feet or higher when available. Fertility percentages typically range between 40–55%, with a recommended mating ratio of eight females to one male. Broodiness among hens may vary.
Longtail Breed Care
Yokohama chickens are part of the ornamental longtail group of poultry breeds. Proper housing and careful feather management help maintain the long saddle and tail feathers that make this breed so visually impressive in exhibition flocks.
To learn more about longtail chicken breeds, see our blogs:
Breed Spotlight: Lovely Longtail Chickens
Care and Feeding of Longtail Roosters
Red Shouldered Yokohama Chicken FAQs
How long can a Yokohama rooster’s tail grow? Under proper conditions the tail feathers can grow two to three feet per year.
What color eggs do Red Shouldered Yokohama chickens lay? Hens lay small cream or lightly tinted eggs.
Are Red Shouldered Yokohama chickens good egg layers? Egg production is considered fair because the breed is mainly raised for ornamental and exhibition purposes.
Are Red Shouldered Yokohama chickens rare? Yes. The breed is considered a threatened heritage chicken and is preserved through dedicated breeding programs.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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java_ferret –
We ordered 4 redshoulder Yokohamas and receivfed 5 ( one did pass after the first week so back to our 4) ended up with one male and 3 females, all unbelievably beautiful and very sweet mellow birds. None of them are flighty or loud. I am super pleased with them so far. They are 5 months old and are just very pretty and docile. They were accepted and get along well with my other larger birds and no one seems to pick on them and they so far have behaved nicely with the others. The young rooster is also very calm and so far has 3 very long tail feathers.
These are definelty my friends favorite when they go look out at the birds.
lassiedail –
Interesting docile birds I ordered for something new. The male was slower to develop than bantam roos, and has a softer voice. I like him and the hens a lot. They tend to stay apart from the rest of the flock, and forage well. Pretty birds!
Yokomama –
Delightful Birds!
Chicks came on time and were housed jointly with some Rhode Island Reds; came up with a solid strategy to improve early survival using natural products that matched survival rates with Amprolium – treated starter (100% survival). The Yokos were surprisingly robust for small fancy birds, and had no trouble living with the RIRs in a normal coop scenario where they all shared food/water and space. They were also very docile and didn’t mind being handled in the least. Their ultimate demise was cold intolerance; lost all but one the first night it got close to freezing. The one that survived likes to sleep underneath a RIR and is still around today probably because of that strategy.
A beautiful breed!!
Yoko’s –
Stunning addition to my flock!
I have 2 Yokohama hens and 1 rooster. Such a beautiful addition to my flock. This breed gets along well with all the others. Stunning!
Brandon Smith –
Great
Got the chicks on time and had more females then I did Males. I am very happy and pleased. The roosters are getting long tail feathers now about 2.5 feet long. They are very pretty. Thanks
Julia –
Chicks
Received chicks yesterday with extras! All doing great and very active. Thank you so much!
Javier California June 2009 –
Chickens
I received my chicks (Yokohomas and Wheaten O.E.G STD) about two months ago. All are doing GREAT! THanks
Dan Indiana March 2010 –
Thanks!
Not to worry, our chicks came in the noontime delivery. They seem to all be in good shape. The Cochin substitution for one Yokohoma was fine. Yokohomas are beautiful birds. We may find that we will want a few more later. I really appreciate your commitment to perpetuating rare breeds. I believe the narrowing of our livestock gene pool puts agriculture at risk. My daughter is looking forward to a blue ribbon at the County Fair. She’s ready to put in the work.