Rare Chickens Are Bred For Fishermen

2008 - Volume #32, Issue #1, Page #08

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A Canadian family farm that raises cattle and hay has an unusual sideline business raising rare chickens bred strictly for their special feathers, which are used in the fly-tying trade.
    According to John Howard, there are only 15 to 20 "hackle" farms in the world, so it's a business that's extremely specialized.
    Feathers become "hackle" when one or more of them are wrapped around a fishing hook to produce a "fly." Dry flies have a "spiky" appearance designed to imitate an insect's legs on the surface of the water, and wet flies will submerge in the water. Fishermen who "tie flies" are craftsmen who use a variety of patterns, feather sizes and colors to achieve the exact effect they want. A wide selection of flies is needed to target many different fish species under a variety of conditions.
    Near Didsbury, Alberta, John and Bonny Howard and their family are only one hour from one of North America's top fly fishing spots, the Bow River. Also, the climate where they live enhances the quality of the feathers their chickens produce.
    "We are the world's most northern hackle producer and the only one in Canada. Our temperatures range from 80 F in the summer to lows of û45 F in the winter. This cold, harsh climate leads to enhanced feather quality as the birds adapt. They grow more feathers and have an increased barb count," Howard says.
    Of course, genetics play a big part, too. When making breeding decisions, the Howard family's aim is to produce the maximum number of feathers which are longer, narrower and more uniform than regular chicken feathers. The flexibility of the stem (quill or shaft) is crucial, so hackle breeders genetically select for the ideal shaped stem.
    "We started raising hackle in 1991 and bought out a U.S. breeder, so our flock of 800 birds has over 60 years of hackle genetics behind it," John says, "The quality of our birds has steadily improved."
    Hackle chickens are very rare and breeding stock is simply not available unless a breeder retires or sells out, according to Howard.
    "These birds are extremely pampered. They get the best of feed and housing and a lot of care is required. Cleanliness is critical," he says.
    Capes (necks) and saddles (backs) are the two areas of the chicken that produces top quality hackle, so this is how the processed birds are marketed. Roosters are harvested more than hens, due to the superior quality hackle they produce.
     Depending on the graded quality, "natural necks" sell for between $45 and $77 (Can.), and "natural saddles" are $25 to $45 (Can.) each. Dyed necks are priced at $69 (Can.), and dyed saddles are $42 (Can.) each. Howard Hackle also offers "Beginner Packs" containing a selection of "half neck" colors for $59 to $64 (Can.) each. Shipping and handling is $3 for 1 to 3 pieces in Canada and the U.S.
    "Our customers include individual fishermen who tie their own flies, factories and fishing supply stores," Howard explains. "We get orders from around the world, including Germany, Sweden, Italy, Thailand, Finland, Australia, the U.S. and here at home."
    Orders can be placed by calling Howard Hackle between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Howard Hackle, P.O. Box 1, Site 5, RR 2, Didsbury, Alberta, Canada T0M 1W0 (866 455-8473; ajhoward @telusplanet.net; www.howard hackle.com).

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Rare Chickens Are Bred For Fishermen 32-1-8 A Canadian family farm that raises cattle and hay has an unusual sideline business raising rare chickens bred strictly for their special feathers, which are used in the fly-tying trade. According to John Howard, there are only 15 to 20 "hackle" farms in the world, so it's a business that's extremely specialized. Feathers become "hackle" when one or more of them are wrapped around a fishing hook to produce a "fly." Dry flies have a "spiky" appearance designed to imitate an insect's legs on the surface of the water, and wet flies will submerge in the water. Fishermen who "tie flies" are craftsmen who use a variety of patterns, feather sizes and colors to achieve the exact effect they want. A wide selection of flies is needed to target many different fish species under a variety of conditions. Near Didsbury, Alberta, John and Bonny Howard and their family are only one hour from one of North America's top fly fishing spots, the Bow River. Also, the climate where they live enhances the quality of the feathers their chickens produce. "We are the world's most northern hackle producer and the only one in Canada. Our temperatures range from 80 F in the summer to lows of û45 F in the winter. This cold, harsh climate leads to enhanced feather quality as the birds adapt. They grow more feathers and have an increased barb count," Howard says. Of course, genetics play a big part, too. When making breeding decisions, the Howard family's aim is to produce the maximum number of feathers which are longer, narrower and more uniform than regular chicken feathers. The flexibility of the stem (quill or shaft) is crucial, so hackle breeders genetically select for the ideal shaped stem. "We started raising hackle in 1991 and bought out a U.S. breeder, so our flock of 800 birds has over 60 years of hackle genetics behind it," John says, "The quality of our birds has steadily improved." Hackle chickens are very rare and breeding stock is simply not available unless a breeder retires or sells out, according to Howard. "These birds are extremely pampered. They get the best of feed and housing and a lot of care is required. Cleanliness is critical," he says. Capes (necks) and saddles (backs) are the two areas of the chicken that produces top quality hackle, so this is how the processed birds are marketed. Roosters are harvested more than hens, due to the superior quality hackle they produce. Depending on the graded quality, "natural necks" sell for between $45 and $77 (Can.), and "natural saddles" are $25 to $45 (Can.) each. Dyed necks are priced at $69 (Can.), and dyed saddles are $42 (Can.) each. Howard Hackle also offers "Beginner Packs" containing a selection of "half neck" colors for $59 to $64 (Can.) each. Shipping and handling is $3 for 1 to 3 pieces in Canada and the U.S. "Our customers include individual fishermen who tie their own flies, factories and fishing supply stores," Howard explains. "We get orders from around the world, including Germany, Sweden, Italy, Thailand, Finland, Australia, the U.S. and here at home." Orders can be placed by calling Howard Hackle between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Howard Hackle, P.O. Box 1, Site 5, RR 2, Didsbury, Alberta, Canada TOM 1W0 (866 455-8473; ajhoward @telusplanet.net; www.howard hackle.com).

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