One of my spider patterns on a Hanak #18 230 BL  using natural Brahma Hen hackles from Whiting Farms Whiting Farms Brahma Hen Saddles are a “better substitute” for partridge any day of the week. These feathers are wispy and mottled, nearly identical to partridge feathers. They have a clear advantage over traditional partridge for several reasons.   The first primary reason is that the hackle's physical characteristics are nearly identical. That said, the quills are more durable, and the feather selection from these saddles and capes is much more consistent. Your typical mind-numbing search-and-destroy mission on a partridge skin is long but soon forgotten after handling these capes and saddles. My experience with them has been exceptional, and honestly, since I have been working with Brahma Hen, I've been looking at partridge in the rearview mirror. Partridge has become more challenging to find and very expensive, so compare the prices and selection, and it's a no-brainer. ...