Back to feathers. Right now there are a handful of genetic hackle producers. We all basically have the same common stock of birds (at least the last time I looked at mine. . . which was about fifteen minutes ago.) We all try to maintain a feeding regiment that is conducive with our "home" environments and we all naturally strive (in our own way) to produce a more desirable bird. So what is the difference between my feathers and that other guys.??? Nothing really to speak about?? much less have a conniptions fit over!!!.
We all produce #1's and we all produce culls (rejects). We harvest in one year's time and we harvest at two years intervals or whatever. Some of us produce a small crop and some produce more then they actually need. Some enjoy dying their capes and others enjoy producing variants. Some want to stay small and others would want to "have it all." Some advertise as procedure and others are never or rarely in print. The difference is in the reader's perception of what he is exposed to. A noted political author once said, "if you repeat a lie enough it will become the truth."
Yes, advertising is much like politics. Usually glossy advertising works by persuading people to believe in a subjected opinion. Anyone given enough advertising will fall victim and eventually even I will begin to believe the sun rises in the west. But, by comparing a company's package of ten selected saddle feathers to another company's complete neck is bogus. And, (for you beginning tiers and fly fishers) a "good" saddle feather cannot be compared to a "good" neck feather. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Besides, there is a very good chance that a given company's "selected" feather package, just like ones which even I provide, came from birds that (as a whole) had inferior or damaged capes and/or saddles. (So you elitist ego maniacs can now realize you probably have poo-poo feathers in your kit. !)
I like to believe a feather is a feather. If it can be used to catch fish then it must be a good feather. Continually, I've monitored chat room arguments which have started about who (company) has the best necks and saddles. Is it company X? Y? or Z? Sorry guys. . . I know who gets my "best" feathers and it certainly isn't anyone who would sit in front of a computer and argue when not adequately informed and like I stated before; we all produce really good stuff and we also have some not so good necks and saddles.
If you stop into my shop in late September and try to pass judgement on what is hanging on the shop's wall (probably all #2 & #3's) I might not (visually and at that moment) compare to any other genetic producer's #1 neck. But, to pass judgement by coming to the party late and saying, "it was dull and all the girls were all ugly," only tells me that the observer isn't too smart. Sorry guys, (that is the writers of this useless dribble) for your information the people who contact me and now question your wisdom are pretty much beginner fly fishers or beginning fly tiers. So let's face one sure fact; some of you "informative people" are likely going to ruin ... Continued Here.
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The Muncher is a favorite of Ian James for carp, smallies, more. 
Thoughts of a Chicken Rancher. Doc tells it like it is.