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.
About Yamato Gunkei Chickens
