Shamo chickens might have caught your eye due to their rather unique appearance. This oriental breed of chicken is quite striking as they look like something you would see in a caricature drawing. This is the perfect bird for chicken enthusiasts, especially since this breed is a great show bird.
The Shamo Chicken is an interesting breed as it is more of an enthusiast’s bird. Shamo chickens aren’t great egg layers, and as you can likely tell by their muscular appearance, they aren’t very tasty as they produce tough meat.
They are also known to be an aggressive breed, so trying to introduce them to your flock may end in more than just a few ruffled feathers. Despite all of this, they are a hardy breed that can live up to twelve years with the proper care.
The breed also has an interesting history and depending on where you live, you may even need a license to own one. If you are up for trying to raise show birds though, then this unique breed is a great place to start. Keep in mind that this is a breed of chicken that you will need to be attentive to as it grows to ensure you smooth out any aggressive tendencies towards humans.
Shamo Chickens
| Size | 11 Pounds (Rooster) 7 Pounds (Hen) |
| Class | Pea Comb |
| Color | Black, Red, Black With Red Breast, Dark, White with Dark Markings |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Hardiness | Very Hardy |
| Eggs/Yr | 80 |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Egg Color | Light Brown |
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History & Origin
Shamo chickens originally came from Thailand, despite the fact that they are now a breed that is heavily associated with Japan Interestingly enough, the breed is even sorted by their weight. There are currently five weight-based types of Shamo Chicken; the basic Shamo, Yamato Gunkei, Nankin Shamo, Yakido, and K-Shamo, the smaller Bantam version.
The breed is now rare and under a “watched” status and Japan has had to place them under protection in years past to save the breed. Japan has shown a vast interest in this breed dating back several hundred years, appearing in artwork, to their current preservation movements. Luckily, those efforts are paying off and Shamos have now spread throughout the world.
What do they look like?
The Shamo breed is a pretty distinct one, so you shouldn’t have much trouble identifying them yourself. They come in four different colors Black, Red, Black With Red Breast, and Dark. They have a pea comb, and a sloped tail.
Their feathers are closely held to their bodies while their wattles are small. In fact, some Shamo chickens don’t even have wattles. Their eyes have a pearl color, while their beaks and legs are yellow.
The breed’s wattles, when they have them are red, the same color as their earlobes. Shamos look as though they are standing upright and have a muscular build. These birds typically grow to be around 30 inches tall. They have also been noted to have an angry look at all times, although this doesn’t actually indicate the temperament of the bird.
Temperament
The Shamo Chicken is not a friendly bird, and even with knowing how to introduce new chickens, you can still have disastrous results. The Shamo Chicken was bred to be a fighting breed, and this has sadly made them very aggressive. They don’t tend to do well with other chickens, especially when housed with a docile breed. Shamos may also be trouble around smaller animals. This breed is known to be aggressive as chicks, and Shamo Roosters should never be housed together.
Outside of other animals, the breed has been noted to act calmly, but small children should not be left alone around them. The best way to guarantee your Shamo Chicken is socialized to humans is by handling them from a young age; not doing so may leave you with an angry hen.
This breed does like to free roam, but you may want to consider building a large pen if you have other animals nearby. Despite all of this, the hens are broody and will take care of their eggs.
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What is their purpose?
This is an Oriental breed that is mainly kept by chicken enthusiasts and as a show bird. They only lay 80 eggs per year, and their meat is described as being tough. This breed is currently under “watch” status on the conservation list, so owning one may require a license depending on where you live.
If you are looking to purchase a chick for show purposes, make sure to take special care when shopping for chicks. One of the best places to learn about chicks is at a show itself, as this is a rare breed. You will want to ensure that the chick you are entering into shows is a purebred Shamo, and if you are at a show, you may have a chance to see the Hen and Rooster the chicks are being bred from.
If you plan on breeding Shamos yourself, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble as the hens make great mothers. You will want to check in on the chicks as they grow and separate any males to keep fighting in your flock at a minimum.
Care and Health
The Shamo Chicken is a generally hardy bird that doesn’t need to be specially groomed, but like most chickens, they will need a proper coop. This is a larger breed of chicken, so you will want to make sure you have a roomy home for them, especially if you intend to try and keep a few hens together.
You should also ensure that they always have access to the best chicken waterer and the best chicken feeder so that they can have clean water and full crops. They will give themselves dust baths, but unless they decide to roll around in a puddle of mud, you shouldn’t have to worry about bathing this breed.
To keep chickens in the winter, you should consider providing a more insulated and wind proof coop, as with most animals left in the cold, Shamo chickens are at risk for frostbite. If you plan on allowing your Shamo chickens out of their chicken run to free-roam, be extra vigilant to the areas they can have access to.
While they won’t want to wander far away from home, you want to ensure that your yard is free of dangers. While they will happily forage for food, they still need an average amount of feed which means, they are about average in terms of the cost to feed chickens.
Having a set schedule is important with free-range birds as they will know when they get let out, and you can guarantee they are safely put up before night falls. While they are aggressive, this breed likely won’t win many fights against larger predators like foxes.
FAQ
What are Shamo chickens good for?
Shamo chickens are excellent show birds and are perfect for you if you have always wanted to try your hand at raising show chickens. They are also perfect for enthusiasts who enjoy taking care of oriental breeds.
Can Shamo chickens fly?
No, the Shamo chicken can’t fly. You won’t need to worry about them trying to clear any nearby fences.
What does Shamo mean in Japanese?
It is based on the word Siam, which translates to Thailand, where the breed originally came from.
Are Shamo chickens aggressive?
Yes, these chickens won’t do well with other chickens and have to be socialized at a young age.
How big do Shamo chickens get?
The male Shamo can reach 11 pounds, while the female usually weighs in at around 7 pounds. They are very tall and regularly grow to be around 30 inches tall.
How long can Shamo chickens live?
Shamo Chickens are very hardy and can live up to 12 years.
If you need more help with taking care of your chickens, check out The Organized Chicken Keeper for a complete system for managing their health through keeping their supplies stocked and coop clean.
