Diversity

About Yamato Gunkei ChickensAbout Yamato Gunkei Chickens




Yamato Gunkei are a type of Asian Hard Feather chicken. They are largest of the smaller Shamo breeds. They were created in the Hiroshima region of Japan during the 1920’s. They arrived in Europe in 1980 via some Belgian breeders and are classified as a Large Fowl in the British Poultry Standards.  

Yamato Gunkei are a tough looking chicken and sometimes considered ugly. They have muscular dinosaur-like legs and feet of the Shamo family. Their breast muscles are so large that they part the feathers to reveal deep red skin underneath. But, its most striking feature is its wrinkled face; wrinkles that begin at a few months of age and that quickly multiply as the bird grows older.

As strictly an ornamental birds. They do not lay very many eggs, they are not big enough for meat, and they are not very fertile.  

They are found in Black, Black-red (with wheaten / partridge females), Duckwing, Blue, Ginger, Splash, Spangle, Cuckoo, and White.    

They are generally not aggressive towards humans although care should be taken with males as with any breed. As with other Asian Hard Feather breeds, they will fight amongst themselves so are best bred in pairs or trios. Separate runs will be needed to keep a reasonable number of birds.