Understanding Squirrel Tail in Chickens

Squirrel tail is an incorrect tail carriage in which a chicken carries its tail too far forward. It is an important structural and breed-type concern for anyone breeding or exhibiting standard-bred poultry.

What Does Squirrel Tail Look Like?

A chicken with squirrel tail carries the tail forward beyond the proper angle for its breed. Instead of following the correct rise from the back, the tail tips toward the bird’s head. In an extreme case, it may appear to curve toward the neck.

The condition can be subtle or pronounced. It is often easiest to evaluate from the side while the bird is relaxed and standing naturally. A high tail is not automatically a squirrel tail: correct carriage varies by breed, sex and age, so breeders should compare each bird with the current APA or ABA standard that applies to it.

Why It Matters in Exhibition Poultry

Tail angle contributes strongly to a breed’s outline, balance and character. Squirrel tail is a serious defect and may be treated as a disqualification where the applicable standard specifies it. Exhibitors and breeders should consult the current American Standard of Perfection or ABA Bantam Standard rather than relying on one tail angle for every breed.

• Incorrect breed type: Forward carriage changes the silhouette that distinguishes one breed from another.
• Reduced exhibition value: A bird may lose consideration or be disqualified under the applicable standard.
• Breeding consequences: Repeated use of birds with incorrect tail carriage can make the fault more persistent in a family.

What Causes Squirrel Tail?

Tail carriage is influenced by inherited conformation, including the relationship among the back, pelvis, tail set and supporting structure. Because several traits contribute to the finished outline, breeders should evaluate the whole bird and its family—not a single feather or one momentary pose.

Temporary posture can be affected by excitement, fear, handling, maturity or feather condition. Evaluate birds repeatedly while calm before making a breeding decision. Nutrition or grooming will not permanently correct an inherited structural tail set.

How to Improve Tail Carriage in a Breeding Program

1. Remove Affected Birds from Breeding Pens

• Do not breed birds that consistently show squirrel tail, even when they have other desirable qualities.
• Pay attention to apparently correct birds that repeatedly produce offspring with the fault.

2. Select for the Correct Backline and Tail Set

• Choose breeders with the proper outline, balance and carriage for their breed and sex.
• Observe birds while relaxed, moving and naturally posed.
• Give structure and breed type priority before refining minor color or feather details.

3. Use the Current Standard

• Study the written breed description and illustrations in the current APA or ABA standard.
• Avoid applying the desired tail angle of one breed to another.
• Ask experienced breeders or licensed judges to help evaluate borderline birds.

4. Monitor Young Birds and Keep Records

• Reassess tail carriage as young birds mature and complete juvenile molts.
• Record sire, dam, mating and the number of affected offspring.
• Compare entire families and breeding results over several generations.

Make Selection Deliberate

Improving squirrel tail requires patience, honest evaluation and consistent selection. Look at each bird from the side, learn the correct silhouette for the breed and record what each mating produces. Removing affected birds and repeated producers from the breeding program can steadily improve tail carriage and overall breed type.

For More Information

1. American Poultry Association. American Standard of Perfection. Current edition.
2. American Bantam Association. ABA Bantam Standard. Current edition.
3. Damerow, Gail. The Chicken Encyclopedia. Storey Publishing, 2012.
4. Mattocks, Jeff. Niche Poultry: Feeding and Management. 5th edition, The Fertrell Company.

The purpose of this article is to educate and provide valuable information to help poultry keepers enhance their knowledge and skills. It is not intended to persuade readers to adopt or abandon specific practices, but to encourage thoughtful consideration of methods they may not have previously explored. Each flock and breeding program is unique. Decisions should be based on individual circumstances, goals and the current standard for the breed.

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