Tops and Tails

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Tops and Tails A farm home with a city view. Specializing in rare and fancy breed chickens (w/ extra love for the heritage breeds), I offer chicks and hatching eggs.

NPIP/AI certified and breeding toward SOP. Follow me on Instagram

Who else has spring fever right now?? My toddler is going crazy and wants nothing more than to be outside with the chick...
04/03/2025

Who else has spring fever right now?? My toddler is going crazy and wants nothing more than to be outside with the chickens. Who could blame her??

Chicks available! NPIP/AI certified I have the following 3 day old chicks available for pick up today (Thursday) and tom...
27/02/2025

Chicks available!

NPIP/AI certified

I have the following 3 day old chicks available for pick up today (Thursday) and tomorrow morning in American Fork!
I’ll be heading out of town for a couple of days starting Friday afternoon (don’t worry, my husband is caring for the chicks). I have the following available now:

SEXED Female 1️⃣8️⃣

Salmon Favorolle: 0
Mottled Houdan: 15

31/01/2025

🙋‍♀️

Breed highlight: YokohamaAs most of you know, I have such a soft spot for endangered breeds. One of the rarest flocks I ...
30/01/2025

Breed highlight: Yokohama

As most of you know, I have such a soft spot for endangered breeds. One of the rarest flocks I raise is one of these critically threatened breeds and I find them to be exceptionally beautiful. That is, the Yokohama chicken. These gorgeous birds are known for their cock’s super long tails and unique coloring. This beautiful and sweet breed quickly became a favorite of mine.

History:

Despite the name, Yokohama chickens didn’t actually originate in Yokohama, Japan. Long tailed breeds such as the Yokoama and Pheonix are thought to all share long tail genes that originated from the exceptionally rare Japanese Onagadori. The Yokohama borrowed the name from its Asian ancestor but the Yokohama, instead, began their journey when ornamental chickens were imported from Japan to Europe through the port of Yokohama in the mid-19th century. Breeders in Germany and France developed the breed we recognize today, focusing on long, show-worthy tail feathers and a regal appearance. Over time, they became a prized bird for exhibitions and ornamental flocks.

Here’s some quick physical features of the Yokohama. You will see that there are several very different characteristics that set it apart from the more common Phoenix, such as the Yokohama’s yellow legs and unique comb.

Tail: Long, flowing tail feathers—growing upwards of 5 feet with care—are the breed’s most stunning feature. Watching the cockerels walk tall with their long flowing tails behind them is absolutely stunning.

Plumage Colors: The APA recognizes two colors: White and Red-Shouldered. Silver duckwing is an unrecognized color variation.

Size: A bit smaller than average; roosters typically weigh about 4.5 lbs, and hens around 3.5 lbs. I would not call them quite small enough to be considered a bantam but they have a very gamebird like size and appearance.

Comb: The small walnut comb is a key characteristic that easily sets it apart from its cousin, the Phoenix.

Legs: Yellow, clean, slender legs.

Laying Abilities

Yokohamas are not known for being the most prolific layers but they offer a decent amount of eggs although I’ve found they seem to like to lay quite heavily in the late Spring and then try to go broody.

Egg Output: Around 80-100 eggs per year, typically small and creamy white.

Broodiness: Hens are often broody and good mothers, making them a potential option if you want natural chick rearing. The hens are quite sweet and nurturing.

Temperament and Behavior

One of the reasons people, including me, love Yokohamas is their calm and friendly nature. They are calm and not nearly as flighty as the Phoenix and other gamey cousins. I’ve found that the Red Shouldered Yokohama is especially domesticated. They also tend to be very quiet. Even the c***s have a much more muted crow than the other breeds I have raised.

Gentle and Friendly: They tend to be easygoing and get along well with other breeds.

Handle with Care: They enjoy attention but need gentle handling due to their delicate tails and smaller frame.

Low-Activity Level: They’re not as flighty or active as some breeds.

Curious but Calm: They’re curious foragers who enjoy exploring, though they aren’t as demanding in terms of space as larger or more active breeds.

Quiet: There is little to no chattering in the Yokohama pens.

Feed and Nutrition Needs

Because of the constant growth of their long tails, Yokohamas need a high protein diet, ideally between 20%-26% including fresh and milled feed. It is common for Yokohama and other long tailed breeders to raise their chicks on game bird starter which is often 24%-26% and then keep adult birds on a layer diet between 20%-22%. Yokohamas especially thrive on receiving this high protein from sources such as fish—which contributes oils that strengthen feathers and quality—meal worms, hard boiled eggs, dark leafy greens, and whole grains.

Breed Challenges

Raising Yokohamas (just like any chicken) is not without its challenges.

Hardiness: I’ve found chicks to be quite fragile and hard keepers until they are fully feathered and then their hardiness increases greatly but they still require extra care to until they are mature in order to keep them at their healthiest. Personally I’ve also found that they are quite sensitive to the Merek’s vaccine and often die at a greater rate in their first week of life after they are vaccinated compared to unvaccinated chicks.

Tail feather care: Cockeral’s tail feathers need to be cared for as they are growing to keep them clean and healthy. Many breeders wrap the tail in silk wrappings for extra care to keep the other flock members from damaging the feathers as they step on them.

High roosts: Due to their long tail feathers, high roosts are a must. Yokohamas naturally prefer higher roosts as well. Mine love to perch in the rafters.

High protein feed: Extra care needs to be paid to making sure they are receiving a balanced diet and receiving enough protein without missing other key ingredients for the laying hens.

Broody: The hens love to go broody. This could be a pro or a con but I find myself breaking Yokohamas quite often. The good news is, they don’t take very long to break as they are quite social and are motivated to get back to their flock.

Overall, I absolutely love this breed. Raising them takes patience in the beginning as the chicks gain strength, but if you are looking for a stunning and rare breed that are as sweet as they are stunning, you may want to consider adding a Yokohama to your flock!

I have such a soft spot for beautiful boys! This Cuckoo Maran gentleman suckered me into keeping him. 😆
27/01/2025

I have such a soft spot for beautiful boys! This Cuckoo Maran gentleman suckered me into keeping him. 😆

I mean…
18/01/2025

I mean…

Next batch of eggs are doing great! Can’t wait for thisnfirst hatch of the season! Starting off strong with some home-gr...
18/01/2025

Next batch of eggs are doing great! Can’t wait for thisnfirst hatch of the season! Starting off strong with some home-grown Black Tailed Red Marans and some NPIP show Silkie shipped eggs from 2 breeders back east. I’m leaving the color a surprise for you. 😉🤭🤫

This is SO important to understand if you are buying hens for dark eggs. Definitely worth the read. I would add, the lig...
13/01/2025

This is SO important to understand if you are buying hens for dark eggs. Definitely worth the read. I would add, the lighter eggs are still so stunning.

I’m having so much fun with this super rare new breed. The Black Tailed Red Marans are a brand new breed being developed...
11/01/2025

I’m having so much fun with this super rare new breed. The Black Tailed Red Marans are a brand new breed being developed in the United States and are being developed and standardized by a group of passionate breeders. The eggs in my flock range from a beautiful cherry chocolate (7-8) to a lighter egg with dark speckles (4). But one of my favorite things about this breed is the beautiful red feathers, especially on the boys. The goal is to breed to be a nice Nee Hampshire red. My first goal is to breed to SOP and consistency, the second is for egg color (I will only hatch from the darkest eggs). If you are looking for a Marans unlike any other, consider the BTR Marans!

Got locked out of my account but so glad to be back! Here are some pics of the little grow-outs yesterday enjoying the s...
02/05/2024

Got locked out of my account but so glad to be back! Here are some pics of the little grow-outs yesterday enjoying the sun! I’m loving watching the Black Tail Red Marans grow, they are such a fun new breed that I’m excited to offer next year.

I saw this and have been full on cackling! 😂🤣
20/04/2024

I saw this and have been full on cackling! 😂🤣

15/04/2024

A huge thank you to 3F Farms and Helper Hens for organizing a fabulous poultry showcase and sale and for all the people who came out to support local breeders!! My family and I had a great time and I loved meeting you all. Cant wait to do it again in the future!

So excited to be NPIP tested and certified by the state of Utah!! This means that all my breeding flock has been individ...
11/04/2024

So excited to be NPIP tested and certified by the state of Utah!! This means that all my breeding flock has been individually tested and found clean from
Avian Influenza and Pullorum-Typhoid. I am officially legally approved to ship hatching eggs over state lines. Big thanks to Sierra from 3F Farms for testing my flock.

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This poor little Yokohama chick had a rough hatch and was sporting curled toes on both feet. So it gets to sport these f...
06/04/2024

This poor little Yokohama chick had a rough hatch and was sporting curled toes on both feet. So it gets to sport these fashionable shoes to help straighten those feet out! All the other chicks are going to be so jealous. They even have non-slip soles! You can tell how excited the chick is from all the cheeping. 😂

Hahahahaha my boots be like…
29/01/2024

Hahahahaha my boots be like…

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Our Story

The adventures of urban farming, running a micro-diary farm, and how to love every moment! Micki’s Mini Farmstead is a micro urban farm in the heart of Lehi/American Fork specializing in top quality goat's milk and show quality animals. Quality is always my top priority! Each goat on the farm is rigorously reviewed and carefully selected for the sweetest milk, friendliest temperaments, and top of the line genetics. I examine each bale of organic alfalfa that to ensure it’s quality before it is fed to the herd. Milk is strictly handled for safe consumption and the best taste possible.

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