Onagadori 尾長鶏, Aspects of Breeding - Longtail Fowl and Longcrowers of the World

	I will use this excellent white and, in the next example, a Silver Duckwing, to illustrate different, very important aspects of Onagadori breeding. (By the way, this picture is of the German breeder, Knut Roeder) Here we can see the careful handling of such a valuable bird. The birds need the constant touch (TLC = Tender Loving Care) of their keepers to supplant the stress of the solitary confinement necessary to keep their long tail feathers in good condition. With such TLC the Onagadori breed has set records for longevity in the world of poultry. This rooster has an excellent saddle hackle. The saddle hackle length is influenced by different genes in rate of growth and many varying lengths can be ascertained when studying differen show Onagdori. As in other fowl, Onagadori have different levels of quality even amoung the best. A top Onagadori has extra pairs of mutant sickles in the tail, "bunched" around the gland on the tail, and saddle hackle that is at least 1/3 of the length of the main sickles. The shot at left shows the handling of the birds from their temperate stalls to a walk in the garden. Care must be taken at all times not to soil white feathers because soaps and detergents should not be used on the feathers - this, in order to preserve them for many years. White feathers stain more easily and therefore are best taken down and "walked" in dry areas of the stalls or when weather permits outdoors.
The shot at right shows the soft, supple and slender feather type typical of the Onagadori. Note the extremely long flight feathers in the tail. This welded cage is adjustable, being raised to 5 metres above ground to allow the birds to be displayed and to enjoy a bit of fresh air and sun. This rooster really enjoyed being the King of the Roost high above our heads when presented to us in the garden. The shot below shows the wealth of blood feathers in an Onagadori of high quality. Even though I did not take a count when I had this bird in hand, this photo shows the mutant feathers "bunched" over the glandular fleshy node on the tail, completely covering it. Mutant feathers are a further refinement in the masterful breeding of not only Onagadori but also some of the other breeds of Longtails.
The shot at above shows the wealth of blood feathers in an Onagadori of high quality. Even though I did not take a count when I had this bird in hand, this photo shows the mutant feathers "bunched" over the glandular fleshy node on the tail, completely covering it. Mutant feathers are a further refinement in the masterful breeding of not only Onagadori but also some of the other breeds of Longtails. I included this shot at right of a white that had been set in the breeding pen a couple of months before this picture was taken. Note that nearly all the blood feathers have gone dry and will be moulted normally within a year. This rooster, once set back in the individual stalls, began the luxurient, non-moulting growth again. A FEW MORE NOTES OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE PLUMAGE OF PURE ONAGADORI Note below in these illustrations that even though this Silver Duckwing has an excellent tail length and fullnes, it lacks the highest quality saddle (1/3 the length of the main sickles of the tail). I have noted for you the extreme length of the actual flight feathes of the tail.

Shown below is another detail that shows the level of quality in an Onagadori = the small grouping of feathers, known as the under-tail coverts or crissum, UNDER the tail. These should also be much longer (up to five times the length) of normally-feathered birds. When selecting which rooster to set into the breeding pens, use these quidelines to aid you in your choices. In this way one can be sure to preserve the quality of a good Onagadori.
	ONAGADORI STANDARD Japanese Standard for Onagadori - sent to my Julia Keeling, Secretary - Asian Hardfeather Club. ONAGADORI Single comb, white earlobes, red brown eye colour Weight: cock 1800g, hen 1350g Red or White hackled, white or brown (Shojou) Tail over 1.5m long, growing 70-90cm per year A complete translation of the full Japanese Onagadori standard can be found on the website of David Rogers' Megumi Aviary.