Translating letter

[Indiana Gardener]

Hi all,

My usual translator is still away for the winter. I was hoping to get a letter translated before time for her return to this area. I know very little Japanese. One hiragana and a few kanji is the extent of it. Needless to say, not enough to translate even just this short letter.
I communicate with some people in Kochi a few times a yr for my work with long-tail fowl.
If anyone could take a look at the letter, please let me know what it says. Thank you ever so much.

 

[Mike Cash]

If you're going to be raising the birds for a while, he recommends using a coop like the one you can see in the rear of the picture. Also, while the birds are maturing the pace of growth of their tails will be more rapid than after they have matured, although the tails will continue to grow right up until their death. You can feed them the same food you would feed chickens.

 

[Indiana Gardener]

Thanks Mike. I already use tombaku (the "coop"). I was hoping he would mention fish. I have heard from other sources that some breeders feed them fish for some portion of the diet. Maybe this breeder does not. Perhaps a breeder's personal preference.
Did he state his name so that I can address him personally next time with a good greeting? Of all the times I have written now, my usual translator still has not told me his name. Thanks again.

P.S. I raise proto-Onagadori, "proto"- that which gave rise to. AKA Nagaodori, with the hopes of breeding them into modern Onagadori. I have the son of a particular rooster who's tail grew to 14 ft. He carries the non-molting gene (gene nm), as well as the quick growth gene (gene gt), but I need to add in the multiple feathering gene (gene mf). He's the work of a friend of mine in GA. I'm picking up where she left off with the breed. She and I have a message board if you're interested in learning more of the birds.
The breeders in Japan are very kind and always answer my questions as best they can. I'm very grateful to them.

 

[Mike Cash]

No mention of his name, it's just signed with the name of the business.

No mention of fish, either. He just says you can feed them chicken feed. Would you like me to send you some? That's what I get paid at work.

 

[Indiana Gardener]

>Would you like me to send you some? That's what I get paid at work.>
No thanks, I get it by 500 lb increments. Hope you get a raise soon. At least an increase from cheap layer mash to some good vitamin rich and protein added feed that's worth more.LOL My birds get the diet discussed on the front page of the group link I posted above. Not an average chicken diet.
My understanding from others is that the Japanese feed commercial food as the bulk of the diet, with scraps of whatever they have lying about thrown in as "treats", or better said dietary supplements... veggies and meat. Which is what I'm doing. They are doing well. So it must be ok. Thanks.

 

[Indiana Gardener]

Another letter

Hi all,

I have had this one now for several months and can not reach the translator again. She is an elderly lady... so who knows :-(
With the little drawings in the letter, I think they are trying to tell me that the birds' combs should not lop. Just a guess. I'm trying to fix that some, but at this early stage in the breeding program, something so easy to fix later just doesn't take priority over other genetic factors.
Please let me know if it is legeable or not and if possible what it says. Thanks again so much. You all have no idea what this means to me. The Onagadori isn't just another chicken. It's almost extinct and contains various genetic traits that no other bird has.

 

[epigene]

It says:

Thank you very much for your letter. If you could write in Japanese, I will be able to write our reply sooner. I need it translated...so, sorry!
I was very happy to read your letter and see the photo.
As far as I see in the photo, the red bird appears to be a purebred (authentic) Nagaodori.
I have suspicions regarding the white one, however. The reason is that I think the red and the white differ in crest (shown in drawing) and tail. However(?), I don't think that the tail of the bird should droop, even for a female.
I wonder what chicks will come from crossbreeding the red bird and the white bird--I have my doubts.
Still, I can tell that you have devoted great love and enthusiasm in raising them.
I hope you continue your work [with enthusiasm].

Nagaodori Center

# I hope it makes sense... I put a question mark on "however" because I could not get the logic behind it--probably because I don't know anything about the fowl.

Still, I've seen these birds on TV. Good luck in your endeavor!

 

[Indiana Gardener]

Thank you so much! I have a reply typed up. I would really like to reply in Japanese as they request, but I need again someone to translate. If I could find another translator to translate for me about once every one or two months it would be great. The information the breeder in Kochi shares is very helpful in me knowing what traits to breed for in preserving this endangered breed.
If anone in interested in lending a hand to preserving the symbol of Kochi, the Onagadori, please contact me so that I don't clutter the forum with all of my correspondences. Thanks again.