there's nothing wrong with crossing when you have a goal or project in mind, and as long as you stick with it. But those who would take a great line and throw it away, get to me. There's been so much work done by a handful of select long tail breeders that those need to be treated as such. Outcrosses are great, they add new colors, new blood to overly inbred lines, etc. But if it's done with no respect for the breed in general, regardless of what breed, then sold as some made up name for a quick buck, I dont like that.
I've seen folks all over the internet selling "onagadori" when they really arent even good phoenix, some 1/2 breeds at that. They throw that name on them, because there are none in the US. David Rogers has the closest thing to them, but even he's not ready to call them that. Why do they do it? Because if someone did have them and would sell them, they'll be extremely expensive....
The US phoenix is a mixing pot of several breeds though to start with. No where near as pure as the German lines. Some lines here are better than others for sure. Then you have the "hatchery" phoenix which you're lucky if any feathers ever reach the ground on. So yes, we need more dedicated breeders who know what to look for, and have the time and desire to work with them. There are some awesome birds here, and several folks with them.... But as in anything, there will always be those who dont care or dont know any better.
I've seen folks all over the internet selling "onagadori" when they really arent even good phoenix, some 1/2 breeds at that. They throw that name on them, because there are none in the US. David Rogers has the closest thing to them, but even he's not ready to call them that. Why do they do it? Because if someone did have them and would sell them, they'll be extremely expensive....
The US phoenix is a mixing pot of several breeds though to start with. No where near as pure as the German lines. Some lines here are better than others for sure. Then you have the "hatchery" phoenix which you're lucky if any feathers ever reach the ground on. So yes, we need more dedicated breeders who know what to look for, and have the time and desire to work with them. There are some awesome birds here, and several folks with them.... But as in anything, there will always be those who dont care or dont know any better.
