~ Tommy's Pet Paradise ~

Photo By: S.C. Hutters - Edited By: Tommy T.

Introduction

The Onagadori is a Japanese longtail fowl breed, hence the name: 尾長鶏 (Long-tailed Fowl). Developed during the feudal times in South-west Japan, they quickly gained popularity throughout Japan as well as the Western countries. This breed was first introduced to the U.S. during the 1940's World's Fair followed by a 1970's official import by Dr. Ogasawara - the author of the 1970's National Geographic article. John Kriner, the original breeder from the World's Fair birds refined the Onagadori and later on passed it down to Mr. Cy Hyde in New Jersey. That is whom I got my top breeders from! After many years of selective breeding and refinement -  to pick out the best specimens - Mr. Hyde kept mainly his "worthy" stock to breed with. I was fortunate enough to obtain three of his top picked, unrelated breeders.

The term "American Onagadori" is basically used to describe what they are; which are Onagadori decendants that are bred and preserved in America. Mr. Cy Hyde finally decided to call his, The "U.S. Onagadori" and mine, the "American Onagadori" after our long conversation about giving them the proper name rather than just "American Longtails". The term American Longtails is just too vague to use because there are many longtailed breeds out there like the Black Sumatra, Phoenix, Yokahama, etc. which are also bred and raised in America. We wanted something more distinct and easier to call our birds by.This was established on March 17, 2008. Sadly, there is an increasing amount of breeders in the U.S. who are taking advantage of these two terms and are using them incorrectly. They know that it will give them a higher market value to call their Phoenix or Longtails "Onagadori", "American Onagadori", "Phoenix-Onagadori", etc., but in reality, they are just only hurting themselves and breeders who are actually working hard to keep this rare breed alive in the U.S.A. Therefore, Mr. Hyde and I will take no responsibility for misused descriptions of the "American Onagadori" or "U.S. Onagadori" unless the birds are directly from us.

Photo By: Chris F. - Edited By: Tommy T.

My main goal for this breeding project is to get the best out of the Onagadori descendents that we have here in the United States. Even though we don't have the "true" Onagadori here in the states, some of the birds from the best breeders here do carry that good gene in them. Regardless of the fact that we only have a small pool of dedicated individuals who are pursuing the long-tail project, one day, together we can make a difference. Knowing that it is either difficult or entirely impossible to get something 100% pure again once it has been out-crossed, it is possible to bring back some of the traits that each breeder desires. My main desire isn't really bringing back what once was, but to create something new...something of my own. I hope you too can take interest in this project and join my breeding program.

Specifications

The Male -  Earlobe: White/Creamy   Leg Color: Green/Grey/Yellow   Spur: Short & Small

Crow: Medium length but pitchy         Comb: Single & Red - 5 Firm Points          Face: Red

Height: Approximately 15 inches tall from head to toe. Should have a strong/firm stature.

Feathering: Depending on the color of the bird, color displacement will vary. Four known colors are: Black-Breasted Red (BBR), Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing and White. Regardless of color, all hackle feathers are long and narrow. Some specimen even covers up the whole breast with hackle feathers while in season. At the area around the head and the face, ideal specimens would have hair growing out from the head, almost like human hair but either clear or light colored. Breeding shows that specimens with that feature has a better chance at having longer tailfeathers. Often times, they will go through a juvenile molt in their first 6-8 months but after that, their tail feathers should start coming in stronger and faster at about a rate of four inches per month. However, there should be plenty of tail feathers dragging by six months of age before their first molt. Those feathers are smooth, wide and grows the longest. On their second year, the growth rate goes down to about three and a half inches per month and by their third year, its only three inches per month. The longer / thinner feathers will grow out twisted. Saddle feathers must be at least 1/2 the length of the overall tail length. For example, if the tail length is 8 ft. long than an ideal specimen should have a 4 ft. saddle feather.

Avg. Weight: 2.5 - 4.0lbs (Changes throughout the year)

The Female -   Earlobe: White   Leg Color: Green/Grey/Yellow   Comb: Very little but firm

Face: Smooth bright red & pink                         Eggs: Average cluth of 8-12 creamy eggs

Height: A little shorter than the male, approx. 10 inches tall from head to toe.

Feathering: The feathering on the female is of great importance since its the good quality females that give rise to longer tailed male offsprings. Females won't have saddle feathers or long hackle feathers but they should have a good amount of multiple feathering. Length also plays a key feature, however, if their tail length becomes too long, they have a higher chance of becoming sterile. An ideal amount of multiple feathering is approximately 8 or 9 main tailfeathers on each side. My female breeders have 8-9 main tailfeathers per side along with a 14-15 inch tail. They're very likely to produce wonderful longtail offsprings. 

Eggs: Average cluth of 8-12 creamy eggs.

Avg. Weight: 2.0 - 3.0lbs (Changes throughout the year)

Click ---> Additional Pictures <--- Click

This is what its all about. Getting American Longtail chicks from the BEST! The Project Trio C.H.C is under way! Hehe. So, in getting chicks from them, I am able to select out what "I" want in my birds and then work on from there to produce my own lines. Lets just say C.H.C. is the spark and how well the flame burns depends on it. I am happy this project is under way and I am glad that I have had so much help from everyone.

Both of the girls are currently laying! Whats so unique about it is that they both lay in the same box, but seperated into two sections! Pretty interesting. Only seeing is believing!

Look at that those super long tails ^^^. They are super long!!! : ) These girls are so friendly together; I hope they can maintain this relationship during setting too. It will be "two" of a kind if the two raise their chicks together! This is a rare event so keeping my fingers crossed.

Statistics: Last Updated 12-12-09

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