genetic hackle eggs on Ebay

[11th hour]

I have to ask, as they aren't entirely visible in the ad, are you able to produce hens that also have these cape feathers? Is there any breed that does? Very interesting stuff.
Also- the silver dun looks identical to some of my lavender projects that have gold leakage- even in the same spot.

 

[Fly Fisher]

11th,

All chickens male or female have capes. Cape feathers from the head down to the shoulder area.

Genetic hackle birds are produced through years of selecting birds for breeding which have the proper feather qualities for tying a fly. In some of the larger farms, graders may look at 250 to 300 birds to select one rooster to breed. The biggest gains in quality come when a small selection rate is chosen for the hens as well. Ideally you want to choose the hens with the most cock like qualities to their feathers. (longer and more pointed on the cape and saddle, Feathers with less web, spurred hens etc.)

While I do not have that many birds to practice such a small selection rate I do still pick my hens wisely. A few of my hens are cock feathered to some extent. They are also more aggressive. Overall however hens will not posees a quality of feather comparable to a rooster. There are however many uses for hen capes and saddles. Because the feathers are more webby than cock feather they absorb water quickly. They are a standard on fly patterns that are intended to sink rather than float.

Fly

 

[11th hour]

Wow- this is all so interesting. I have an old friend in VA that ties and does tours to Ireland and such. Never realized there was that much biology behind the art. Thank you!

 

[Thespoiledchicken]

Fly- Thank You! That was alot of great information you have given us. You sound like a very serious and knowledgeable breeder and we can learn alot from you

For the record, Ebay is nice but I think you might do better hanging with us on BYC. You might give the auction site here a try since there are quite a few people interested in and looking for genetic hackle. I myself love the look of genetic hackle- not for fly fishing just

I thought your Blue Dun was nice looking and I certainly would love to see more pictures, maybe I'll see some on BYC auction soon

Trish

 

[Thespoiledchicken]

Trish, I also bought those Ohiki/Fly Tie eggs from Onagadori &
they should be here in the morning!!! We will have to compare chicks
when they hatch!

I'm soooo jealous, mine have not been shipped yet so you will definitely have some chickies first

Good luck on your hatch and let me know how it goes

Trish

 

[trailchick]

Hi Fly,
I did get an order of your eggs that was on ebay- that was shipped last week.

I checked them last night and I think I have some that are fertile. I need to get
new batteries into my light so I can get a better view & double check!!!!

Thank you for coming onto the BYC and confirming that pic - that I believe I
saw on Feathersite.com too, is in fact your bird. I think he is beautiful!!!

I also got the doz Ohiki/Fly Tie eggs from Onagadori from the PO this morning
& now the incubator is pretty full.

My oldest son has tied flies since he was a youngster to fish at the family
cabin near Estes Park, so I was slightly familiar with the art.

Yes, I have found it is very difficult to get any info on the secretive group
of hackle breeders. I may be sending you some PM's if I have questions.
I mentioned the guy in Utah in a previous post that has a group for sale
of mature birds that he has been breeding for some time - & I get no reply........

Thanks again
Gotta go off to work-

 

[Fly Fisher]

Trailchick,

I am happy to hear that your eggs arrived intact. You should have good results. I had 30 hatch out this week with only 4 eggs not making it to term. Hopefully you will get a few nice birds. Keep me posted and don't hesitate to email if you have any questions.

Fly.

 

[Fly Fisher]

For those interested here are a few of my hackle birds.

In order - Golden badger Rooster, Silver Badger Rooster., Ginger Cockerel, One Week Old Mixed Dun Chicks. Most of the chicks are from the same eggs in my ebay listing.

 

[hdowden]

love the long saddle feathers

 

[trailchick]

I am still hoping to get chicks from that Dun, tho,
he is still my fav!!!!!!!!