Description
Black Breasted Red Phoenix Chicken
Breed History and Origin
Cackle Hatchery® has been breeding a large selection of poultry varieties for decades, including the elegant Black Breasted Red Phoenix chicken. While some aspects of this breed can be traced back thousands of years to the famous Onagadori longtail chickens of Japan, the Phoenix breed itself was developed later in post–World War II Germany. The Black Breasted Red Phoenix was recognized by the American Standard of Perfection in 2017 within the Oriental Class of poultry breeds. Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing its bloodline of pure Black Breasted Red Phoenix chickens since 2004.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
Black Breasted Red Phoenix chickens are admired for their rich coloration and long flowing tail feathers. This variety features deep red and black feathering with an upright, graceful posture that is highly desirable in exhibition poultry. Mature hens typically weigh about 4 pounds, while roosters average around 5½ pounds. Pullets generally weigh about 3½ pounds, and cockerels about 4½ pounds. These birds have a slender build and elegant body carriage that make them a standout ornamental breed.
Egg Production and Performance
Black Breasted Red Phoenix hens lay small cream or lightly tinted eggs, and egg production is considered poor compared to standard laying breeds. This breed is primarily valued for its ornamental beauty and long tail feather development rather than egg production.
Temperament and Flock Suitability
These birds are active and alert, performing best in environments where they have room to move freely and access to higher roosting areas. Phoenix chickens typically prefer roost heights of six feet or higher, which helps protect their long tail feathers. Fertility percentages generally range between 40–55%, with a recommended mating ratio of nine females to one male. Hens may display broodiness and are considered setters.
Longtail Breed Care
Phoenix chickens are part of the ornamental longtail group and require proper housing and care to maintain their tail feather length and condition. Providing elevated roosts and clean living conditions helps preserve the dramatic feathering that makes this breed popular among exhibition poultry keepers.
To learn more about longtail breeds, see our blogs:
Breed Spotlight: Lovely Longtail Chickens https://www.cacklehatchery.com/breed-spotlight-lovely-longtail-chickens/
Care and Feeding of Longtail Roosters https://www.cacklehatchery.com/blog/care-and-feeding-of-longtail-roosters/
Customers interested in a smaller version of this breed may also like the Black Breasted Red Phoenix Bantam Chicken https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/black-breasted-red-phoenix-bantam/
You may also like Phoenix Standard Surplus Special https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/surplus-standard-phoenix-chicken-special/
Black Breasted Red Phoenix Chicken FAQs
What color eggs do Black Breasted Red Phoenix chickens lay? They lay small cream or lightly tinted eggs.
Are Black Breasted Red Phoenix chickens good egg layers? No. Egg production is considered poor because the breed is primarily ornamental.
How high should Phoenix chickens roost? They prefer roost heights of six feet or higher to help protect their long tail feathers.
Are Black Breasted Red Phoenix chickens rare? Yes. This is a specialized ornamental breed maintained through dedicated breeding programs.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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maiyer.vue5 –
All chicks arrived safely in a timely manner. They are very beautiful and true to the image provided. Thank you Cackle Hatchery! I will be ordering more!
Cackle Hatchery (store manager) –
Thank you for your feedback. We understand that 3-day shipments can be tough on the chicks, and sometimes they arrive stressed or lethargic. We’re sorry for the losses you’ve had and want you to know that we did issue a refund for the chicks that did not survive the trip. We appreciate your understanding and hope your remaining birds thrive.
connorbyrne10 –
The birds are gorgeous when they are grown up but have extremely high mortality rate when shipped the first order I got 11 and ended up with 3 after 3 days and ordered my second batch and got 11 again and ended up with 4 surviving so maybe shipping will vary depending on distance but all my other birds I have ordered were extremely close to the order amount and I’ve only lost like 2 chicks of the other breeds
Cackle Hatchery (store manager) –
We’re sorry to hear about the losses you experienced with your orders. Both of your shipments were 3-day ships, which can be more difficult for chicks to recover from compared to shorter shipping times. While we do our best to ensure the birds are healthy and well-prepared for their journey, longer transit times can sometimes increase stress and decrease survival rates. We’re glad to hear you enjoy the birds once grown, and we appreciate your feedback as we continually work to improve the shipping experience for our customers.
Brandy Crump –
These hatchlings arrived healthy five months and are now beautiful chickens. We have 3 hens and 3 roosters, of this breed. They are docile, beautiful, and unique- eye catching! They do well with other breeds of chickens, and were raised with 5 turkey hatchlings. They are consistent egg layers. Eggs are small and rich. I recommend this breed!
Cassandra Burns –
We love the Phoenix breed. Our oldest daughter has shown a Phoenix for the last 5 years in 4H. She has gotten high remarks on her roosters each year. They are beautiful birds that we will continue to have for years to come.
Clay –
Best chickens ever!
We love these chickens. They are calm around people and predator resistant. At feeding time, my kids can walk up to these hens and pick them up. We had a dog in the yard chase our chickens this past fall. He caught our heavy chickens, but all of our phoenix (15) were up in the trees and on top of our neighbors house 500 ft away! They are broody in their first year, and lay a surprising amount of eggs. As ours came into lay, they started the same time as red sex links. They respond well to lights in the winter, and are required if you want egg production to stay high in the fall. The eggs are smaller, and the hens will hide nests if they free range. About half of the roosters will grow long beautiful tails. They need more space that is out of mud and ice, otherwise their tails will break from dragging feathers on the ground. These are the best phoenix that I have seen that came from a hatchery. If you’re looking for an exotic chicken that lays well, these are it! Highly recommended
Lisa –
I love my black breasted red Phoenix chickens.
The black breasted red Phoenix are beautiful chickens. They are very docile. Although I only purchased them this spring, they have already hatched 2 chicks. (I only let them them sit on 2 eggs.) Strangely, one of the chicks is white. I rate them a 4 because although I have 4 hens, they have not produced any eggs since they hatched the chicks.
Trevor –
Great Chicks, Till the hawk.
The chicks arrived with several other breeds, we had a case of ”shipping fever” and sadly lost some
Crackle quickly replaced my chicks.
We had them indoors for quite some time, and they all grew up to be happy and healthy. That is until the local hawks decided to pay a visit and break into the coop.
I still have one male who is just stunning and already has about three-foot tail feathers at just shy of one years old.
Will definitely order again! Usually do every January!
Raielle –
What beautiful creatures
I have 3 roosters and 2 hens. Bellfire is our prize bird he he has such vibrant colors!! They are all so friendly. Thank you so much for these amazing dolls!
Maggie –
Beautiful Birds
This breed is absolutely beautiful. Friendly enough if you handle them early. Did not do too well with my larger breeds, a little too docile.
Hohulin –
Beautiful birds
We have been happy with the chicks we have purchased from you. The birds have been beautiful.
Candice –
Beautiful!
These birds are not only beautiful they are sweet and full of personality. They arrived healthy and happy .
Steve Pennsylvania March 2016 –
GREAT SERVICE!
I am very pleased with how the folks at Cackle Hatchery provided service to me. They were very responsive and polite during my purchase of chicks. Mine arrived in great shape and I couldn’t be more pleased with the whole transaction. Thanks so much and I will be back!
bob –
baby chicks
i order 15 chicks last yr strait run got 14 roaster tryed to call talk 2 time no resauts i order this yr again hope that dosent happen again they said stairt runs
Toby Oklahoma July 2014 –
Thank You
I just wanted to say thank you for the excellent service and communications. The customer service department was great, very patient and understanding. This was my first chick purchase and I wasn’t sure how everything worked so I was a little concerned. All the chicks arrived in great condition and I couldn’t be happier with the folks at Cackle Hatchery! Thanks Again,