Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2013 14:10:42 GMT
Introduction
Genetic Hackle chickens are some of the most exotic chickens on the planet! These birds have been bred for many years to produce feathers for use in tying fishing flies. Their feathers are up to five times longer and thinner than feathers on domesticated birds. There are less than 20 breeders of genetic hackle birds in the United States, therefore they are very rare.
Genetic hackle birds have been selectively bred for about half of a century for their feather quality and are a testament to the flexible nature of the chicken when it comes to extreme genetic manipulation.
Some history
Feathers have been used on fishing lures to imitate insects and other fish foods for hundreds of years. In the early 1950's a few dedicated fly fishermen, who just so happened to like chickens, dedicated time and energy to developing a chicken that would produce feathers that would tie a better fishing fly. Better feathers, for those of you who don't tie flies, mean less web to the feather, thinner width, flexible stem, and longer length.
Two of the best know genetic hackle breeders were Harry Darbee and Andy Miner. Almost all of the current bloodlines used for producing genetic hackle today can be traced back through their breeding programs. As the story goes these men were very generous with their stock, sending out eggs to friends that were dedicated to breeding better birds. As the sport of fly fishing grew and demand for quality feather was on the rise a few of the breeders rose to the challenge and produced better and better hackle. This leads us to the breeders of today, there are only a few and most have purchased stock from breeders as they have retired for a hefty price. These breeders continue in the tradition of bringing the fly fishing fraternity quality hackle with which they can tie to a hook, get out on the river, and fool a wise old trout
Sources
You can not buy fly tying chickens from a hatchery! Packages that are advertised for this purpose are simply a collection of roosters with the correct color of feathers, but normal chickens. However if you are truely interested in raising some dry fly hackle birds there is a breeder that sells hatching eggs on eBay
Roosters can be kept in many ways but should be kept in an enviroment that keeps them from breaking feathers such as indiviual cages, free range, or low lighting in large pens.
Feathers are sold to fly tyers "on the skin" as capes (the roosters neck) or Saddles (the roosters back) Some capes can sell for up to $150.00 each and some saddles up to $100.00. The average good cape can sell for $20-30 + and the average saddle can sell for $15-20+ This makes just average roosters worth about $32.00 each. Not bad for raising them for about a year.
I hope this info helps thoes of you interested, I know when I wanted info on these birds I could never find much. I have birds from Theriault Flies and like them very much (I am not related or associated with them except that I purchased eggs from them). Please let me know if you have any questions.
Genetic Hackle chickens are some of the most exotic chickens on the planet! These birds have been bred for many years to produce feathers for use in tying fishing flies. Their feathers are up to five times longer and thinner than feathers on domesticated birds. There are less than 20 breeders of genetic hackle birds in the United States, therefore they are very rare.
Genetic hackle birds have been selectively bred for about half of a century for their feather quality and are a testament to the flexible nature of the chicken when it comes to extreme genetic manipulation.
Some history
Feathers have been used on fishing lures to imitate insects and other fish foods for hundreds of years. In the early 1950's a few dedicated fly fishermen, who just so happened to like chickens, dedicated time and energy to developing a chicken that would produce feathers that would tie a better fishing fly. Better feathers, for those of you who don't tie flies, mean less web to the feather, thinner width, flexible stem, and longer length.
Two of the best know genetic hackle breeders were Harry Darbee and Andy Miner. Almost all of the current bloodlines used for producing genetic hackle today can be traced back through their breeding programs. As the story goes these men were very generous with their stock, sending out eggs to friends that were dedicated to breeding better birds. As the sport of fly fishing grew and demand for quality feather was on the rise a few of the breeders rose to the challenge and produced better and better hackle. This leads us to the breeders of today, there are only a few and most have purchased stock from breeders as they have retired for a hefty price. These breeders continue in the tradition of bringing the fly fishing fraternity quality hackle with which they can tie to a hook, get out on the river, and fool a wise old trout
Sources
You can not buy fly tying chickens from a hatchery! Packages that are advertised for this purpose are simply a collection of roosters with the correct color of feathers, but normal chickens. However if you are truely interested in raising some dry fly hackle birds there is a breeder that sells hatching eggs on eBay
Roosters can be kept in many ways but should be kept in an enviroment that keeps them from breaking feathers such as indiviual cages, free range, or low lighting in large pens.
Feathers are sold to fly tyers "on the skin" as capes (the roosters neck) or Saddles (the roosters back) Some capes can sell for up to $150.00 each and some saddles up to $100.00. The average good cape can sell for $20-30 + and the average saddle can sell for $15-20+ This makes just average roosters worth about $32.00 each. Not bad for raising them for about a year.
I hope this info helps thoes of you interested, I know when I wanted info on these birds I could never find much. I have birds from Theriault Flies and like them very much (I am not related or associated with them except that I purchased eggs from them). Please let me know if you have any questions.
