Post Phoenix Pics Please

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

yes, phoenix of both sizes lay very well. the black imports I have from Toni are my only ones in large fowl but are about an egg a day per hen, really kind of over load you with them. Like all, they start and stop, and are pretty broody at times, but for the most part for an ornamental breed they lay very well.

 

[onagadori]

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Yes, they are good layers! I only have large size phoenix and mine lay like crazy. Yokos are very inbred here in the states. I have some of the german lines and they are also inbred (wolters) I am currently mixing them with the lines from the states here in hopes for more vigor. I also mixed my recessive white phoenix (yellow legged) with the recessive white yokos and they look like yokos. This made them better layers and more vigorous. But the birds pretty much look like white yokos. (peacombed) I also wanted to increase the saddle genes in the yokohamas since they are know for being saddle draggers. The thing about phoenix is that they are also alot more broody than yokohamas. Once it warms up you can't hardly keep them from trying to set. They lay eggs and will stash eggs in each other's nests. I catch hens setting on top of other hens to lay their daily egg into a setting hens nest. lol. They make great free rangers also. Very able to fly well and roost up high. I don't advise this with show birds, but some of the shorter tailed ones can survive as well as a game. Extra protein helps with egg production but also scraps, (fresh veggies, or fruit, even bagging grass with the lawn mower helps if they can't get fresh greens) Also making sure they are not stressed in any way. You can worm them with herbs and even give them extra boost of energy with herbs that are also good for people. I have had good results with this. My yokos are currently laying well, but I admit they started laying when the temps got above 80. I don't know if that is norm or what, but they don't lay well at cooler temps. Yokohamas are also a bit more susceptable to cold temperatures. Phoenix are more adaptable to colder temps. This could be due to inbreeding or just the native Japanese climate. I don't really know.

 

[Celtic Hill]

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Well, If you just want them to look at, a hen will step on the rooster's tail and also keep him out of blood feather. I would recommend a rooster be confined alone to condition for tail growth. But that is strictly up to you. I don't keep my young rooster's with hens when growing their tails out. The pen will be plenty big enough as a good longtail really spends most of their time on the roost due to low thyroid function which is characteristic of the breed onagadori. I would recommend Sand in the bottom of the pen as you won't want him wandering through the mud and also giving him alot of time with yourself if you chose not to provide him a hen. The japanese stroke and even tug on their tails gently to induce feather growth. Toni has some great birds and I am sure she would be happy to help you get some. She is a very nice lady!

Okay thanks! Will the cock catch it's tail going in and out of the coop?

 

[onagadori]

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He could, but I have had them catch their tails on rose bushes and walk around the bush until I had to cut them free! Longtails which are grown for display really should not be free range. Bring what they need to them. If they need bugs, get some meal worms. Don't be affraid to feed them fish or greens, or whatever you have around for nutrition. They have feathers that draw directly from their blood. Health is key. Waterers and Feeders that sit on the ground can be a problem if they can walk around them, as they could pull their tail out. I would suggest hanging ones. Make sure your roost is up off the ground. If the rooster can jump down and his tail is still on the roost, he can wrap himself up and I have found them hanging from the roost because they jumped down and then back up and then back down and back up until they were stuck wrapped around the roost. I guess you learn alot with longtails through trial and error.

 

[Celtic Hill]

Humm okay thanks!!! Since i'll be raising them more for the long tails then anything Ill keep him in the coop, It's ventalated really well and has sky lights and some windows so I won't feel bad about keeping him in!

 

[onagadori]

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Look forward to updates and maybe pictures on how things progress.

 

[Celtic Hill]

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Look forward to updates and maybe pictures on how things progress.

Yeah def! Im working on dispersing my flock right now so I have space!!! I typed out a email to Toni Marie and sent it of a little while ago, I have some other people in mind if that dose not work out.

 

[onagadori]

That sounds good. What color are you wanting?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

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Look forward to updates and maybe pictures on how things progress.

Yeah def! Im working on dispersing my flock right now so I have space!!! I typed out a email to Toni Marie and sent it of a little while ago, I have some other people in mind if that dose not work out.

Try Cy too, Toni didnt have a whole lot to part with the other day when I was up there

 

[jrobertson]

Who would be the best person to talk to about getting a pair or more of non hatchery, breeder quality red shouldered yokos? Or even eggs from such birds?