newchickowner, there is no such thing as a "dumb" question. I am glad you asked because as a matter of fact, some people don't REALLY know this so let me redefine the term "Onagadori".
Onagadori is a Japanese name for "longtail fowl" <---basically thats what these birds are called. They should be green legged for most colors and white - yellow for white Onagadori.
Now, as far as "pure" Onagadori here in the USA? There aren't any. They have been mixed after they came here to the states in the 1940's world fair. It was first owned by John Kriner (not sure on how you spell the name) but then he handed those birds down to his son (JK Jr.) and then finally to Mr. Cy Hyde <--- pretty much everyone here in the states who has the Onagadori gene got theirs from him. I have a little more of this info on my page.
JK and Cy have bred these "Onagadori" with some other lines to bring in the good strength. Onagadori usually are "weak" birds and require good warm temp, proper nutrients...etc. Now the mix breeding with the stronger gene help these bird to handle such harsh weather here. Cy's bird can handle snow and heat so they are pretty hardy.
Now, the Phoenix came about when people bred the Onagadori with some game fowls from England and such, Germany too...different sources, so thats why the Phoenix is pretty close to the Onagadori minus that they have shorter tails, saddles and they molt more often. Onagadori don't molt for 4 years (usually) after their first molt from 18-24 months.
I am getting his "best" chickens this week or next week. He picked out 3 roosters out of 50 and he is giving me the one with the strongest blood feather out of the 3. He also picked out two hens, both with the LONGEST tailfeaters out of 100 or so birds. Usually he doesn't SELL his best.
oh yes, I saw that page on your website. It has to be the most beautiful fowl I've ever seen! That's why I asked if us here in the US can get them. I would love to have a flock of those!!!! It doesn't get too cold where I'm at, but it does get hot in the summer.
I can't wait to see your pictures when you get them!!!! Thanks for answering my question!
They are very nice AND RARE. Simply because its ILLEGAL
to ship these birds here from Japan anymore. I think the want to keep it as part of their "Culture" so what we have here is what we get.
As a starter (like me), getting birds with strong genetics of the Onagadori from Cy Hyde is super! Can't get any better because his birds has the good traits, it just the matter of breeding them to come back out.
The birds I am getting aren't gonna look as great because they are only about 5-6 months old and have been crowded together (tail-picking) so the roo will look almost "tailless" when he's here but hopefully around 18 months, he will start to look awsome again.
A good and bad thing happened all in on day today. My poor hen died (attacked and eatten - story in more details on my website) but then it was a great day that I had to go out and eat with someone for Valentines...