Re: [VFB] ..junglecock.

[Monte Smith]

Hi Denny, Interesting stuff!  Thanks for sharing your experiences.  Is it true that the males tend to fight like crazy, thus making it more likely that the 'eyes' will be split?  Or is that just an old tale?  It makes sense that JC would be difficult to raise and bring to market.  If it was "get rich quick," I think a lot more people would be breeding them in the States.  'Marvel of nature' as you say.  Ain't that the truth?  No other feather quite like it. Regards, Monte   I do not know who did the testing and not wanting to start an argument, perhaps JC Nails do glow in the dark. I raise them and have for several years. In fact I have 8 week-old GJF chicks in a brooder, on my kitchen table. (yep, just an old single Batch) I am out at the bird pens after dark doing security checks more nights than not and have never seen any of the "glow in the dark" theory alluded to. Now they do refract light differently than do normal hackle or any other feather that I have seen. But trust me, they do not glow in the dark. After playing with these interesting birds for as many years as I have, I still am fascinated by the way they are formed. The males must be 2 years old before the eye takes on the color we tiers want/need. The cape hackle molt and are replaced by a hackle feather that is black and this is called an eclipse molt. Eventually the good one comes in and presto we have a marvel of nature. It is not a "get rich project" and they are one of the more difficult to propagate birds I have raised.   Sorry if I may have stepped on any toes, not my intention at all. Just wanted to tell it like it is. Denny