Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1907-06-05
MAKING FEATHERS GROW.
How Japan's Long Tailed Fowls Are
Fed and Coaxed Fer Results.

How Japan's Long Tailed Fowls Are
Fed and coaxed Fer Results.
That the long tai:ca fowl was early
IN Japan IS credible from the legend.
evidently OF abysmai antiquity. OF
Anna Terasu. the sun gddess. who.
having retired into cayera. 70 the in
tense discomfort OF the world. was
nearly enticed out again BY tho crow
Ing OF long tailed cock-to n mind
her, no doubt. that It was her usual
hour 90 appear Another somewhat
ghostiy evidence CT the antiquity OF
The breed has been citcd in the hoo
bird. which was pictured in Japan as
early rs the eighth century This fab
ulous bird resembles both pheasant
and peacock, but Il has clearly the tall.
and very luxuriant one. Of the fowls
OF Tosa, in which every feather. as the
poetical Japanese remarks, resembles
a leaf blade of the mystical bamboo.
1t is known that In many kinds of
birds certain feathers continue to grow
until they are lost by melting. and In
all birds 1t happens occasionally that
feather may be molted at an irregu-
lar time. Accordingly it follows that
IL fowls can be secured which are fr-
regular in the period OF noting. let US
say. the tail feathers. these will con-
tnCe TO grow longer for the reason
that they have had a longer time in
which TO grow. From this beginning
it IS now possible TO infer that by a
process OF carefully selecting and
breeding from these fowls In which
the Noting season Is suppressed In
certain parts Of the body it would be
possible TO obtain q variety In which
the tail feathers would be much longer
than In other fowls.
y second but very Important part OF
the process consists in feeding the bird
to the maximum degree n order to
stimulate the growth Of the feathers.
At the same time the bird should not
be allowed TO dissipate its energy by
leading an active life or to run IN
necessary chances OF breaking the con-
stantly growing feathers. Thus | learn
ed from the fanciers at Tosa that It Is
customary TO confine the birds in rela-
lively small cages and to feed them
often and with peculiar food. Details
OF the latter l was unable to secure
although certain hints were given mo
rs to the virtue Of boiled unhuskcd
rice. OF an occasional scrap Of eel and
or Ciakon (giant radism leaf. I fancy.
though. that any kind OF poultry food
may be used. But in this regard one
Is cautious in drawing Il hard and fast
conclusion. because it is known that
feathers are subject 10 modification IN
various ways dependent upon food.
Thus the color OF the feathers Of GER
tain parrots has been strikingly chang
ed 10y the south sea islanders. who feed
The birds upon the fat OF Il peculiar
fish. And canary birds are given 4 red
dish color under special conditions. rs
by the fanciers in the Uarz mountains.
In many cases. in order to avoid ac-
cident - the long feathers. each fan
cier finds IL. am told. convenient Ia
coil up the longest feathers and wrar
and tie them carefully in soft paper
50 that the bird runs q minimum
chance OF breaking them. High perches
are emphatcally advocated. I have
been told. not on the best evidence
however, that in some cases the bird I.
not possible for il to shift its position
In this crampcI way. with the tai
hanging down behind. I bird is said {
be kept penned up miserably for pc
RODS OF months. Certain Ii Is that un
der favorable conditions the growth 81
the tail feathers can be forced bv tn,
fancier. Under ordinary conditions
cock whose tail measures five or 81,
feet VIII rarely grow longer feathers
Tor. by active life, it is probable tina
gradual Noting OF these long feath
ers takes place On the other hand
melting is more apt 10 be suppresSe,
by the unwholcSome living OF 4 Dir,
during the process OF overlooking. II
accordingly, u cock whose tail feather.
are Of the normal maximum length +
taken in training by 4 skilled fancier
he can. l am told, stimulate Il growth
In these feathers ut the rate Of abou
SIX inches per month.-ProfeSSor Bash
for1 Dean in Century.