Rene, You are correct about Spanish CdL coming only loose. I have seen Spanish saddles, but I believe they were only for demonstration. Hackles were sold and demo'd in small bunches, and I got quite a few. They don't raise roosters for harvesting the entire saddle, as Tom does. Traditionally, it was tough to raise good CdL outside of Spain, an it was thought that climate and the wild life they led were necessary for their great colors. This caused breeders to drop the efforts as they couldn't afford to allocate limited resources to generating a sub-standard product. Tom's huge operations allows for 100's of chicks to be raised based on genetic selection, rather that a few selected older roosters being harvested at selected times, as the Spaniards do.
Tom's approach of raising 100's of chicks has allowed for genetic variations much quicker than harvesting feathers from locked-in breeds. His first batches were very 'poor' compared to the parents, and that was expected as that was the history. But since Tom was able to raise so many, and harvest and re-breed the best genetic selections quickly, his strains have progressed very qickly into fine first-feather producers. He has also selected other qualities in the feathers that fly tiers wanted, so now tiers are getting feathers that actually tie differently than their ancestors. Again, this is not possible by just re-harvesting feathers from the same birds. Tom also selects the hens he wants to be breeders based on the qualities they bring to the feathers, both hen and rooster. Since they produce two products (three if you include the downy breast matuka feathers), they are raised and harvested just as the males are. Again, their genetic traits are quickly brought along just as the roosters are. This is not done in the Spanish method of re-harvesting older prime roosters. Tom also relies on the input from dozens of flytying masters to supply him information on what genetic traits to look for as he selects breeders. As with all previous strains of genetially structured breeds (Hoffmans, Heberts, etc.), now the Coq de Leon feathers are being quickly engineered for favorable genetic traits. >From what I saw just a few years ago, compared to what I'm seeing now, Tom is going to be giving all fly tiers quite a treat in affordable CdL feathers. Those who have used them for tailing feathers already know the qualities that make them desireable. Once these beautiful long-hackles catch on, and tiers start experimenting with new pattern applications, it's going to be a lot of fun. Only once you visit the Farm can you realize the scope of operations that Tom has for genetically raising chickens. As there are fly tying masters in the world, Dr. Tom is a breeding master, only with no equal. Some breeders have problems with Tom since it is a competition-based market and Tom has the lion's share. But I know Tom personally, and he is just doing what he loves. With a lifetime of raising chickens and a doctorate in poultry genetics, it's a real niche he has carved for himself. And we all benefit. Best Regards, DonO
