I read that they take silk thread and roll the tail feathers up and tie them, and also keep them on perches off the ground, and never allow them to walk on the ground. I had one japanese golden phoenix rooster. they are a similar "long tail variety" and are supposed to have up to 20 ft tail feathers and in one year he had three feet long ones but a coon or fox or something got him but I saved the tail feathers :) And he walked around on the ground and had no special care to protect the feathers.
Whats cool about the new babies hatched is they are all real white with a few black splotches. So they will be real pretty. if not coon food! yiiii I have some golden phoenix hens left but no rooster. So if I have more than one rooster I will try and breed him with a phoenix and see what I get. I love fancy chickens. janice -- yipie tie yie yo
