APA/ABA culture for Newcomers

It occurred to me that in the spirit of this section, it might be wise to open a general Q & A thread for folks curious about the APA and the ABA. There is an entire poultry sub-culture surrounding these organizations that emerges from the most established, oldest livestock culture in North America.

Sometimes there is confusion about nomenclature or how things are done. Sometimes there is confusion surrounding breeder approaches and attitudes. Sometimes the way we talk seems crisp and to the point. A quick Q & A can often alleviate these moments of confusion.

In that spirit, I'd like to open up this "safe zone" for general APA or ABA questions. There are several established breeders and APA/ABA judges around that might chime in.

However, please be aware that they may or may not be open to debating the point. There really isn't a lot of point in debating here. If one is interested in working for the advancement of the APA or the ABA, it is best to become a member and then learn how one's talents can be of service. This thread is to ask honest questions, however basic they might seem, and then receive an honest answer in return.

It stands mentioning that at times this answer may not be what one wants to hear, but certainly it will come backed with experience that, if followed, might lead to a desired outcome.

I would be interested in knowing more about the proposed changes to the new breeds admissions process, and what the reasoning behind the changes is.

Just subscribing. No questions yet but being new to this I'm sure eventually I'll have a mountain of them.

Maggiesdad said:

I would be interested in knowing more about the proposed changes to the new breeds admissions process, and what the reasoning behind the changes is.

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the changes seemed to be aimed toward people picking up a breed until it was accepted, then dropping the breed once accepted. I dont think it is healthy for the APA to accept all of the flavors of the month. But they are currently just proposals, could change at any moment.

What an excellent idea! Iknow that it can be intimidating attempting to learn about our breeds from these wonderful people with their wealth of knowledge, especially with sayings like "chicken mommy" and "backyard flock keepers" out there. But a thread like this will help those of us just starting out get a better working knowledge before putting ourselves out there. After all, we all have to start out somewhere and even the most experienced person had little knowledge at one point. And in the end, it's about preserving our breeds and passing on knowledge, right?

Canieldonrad said:

the changes seemed to be aimed toward people picking up a breed until it was accepted, then dropping the breed once accepted. I dont think it is healthy for the APA to accept all of the flavors of the month. But they are currently just proposals, could change at any moment.

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I agree. Marans, for instance, have a plethora of colors across all the locus's except eb and maybe recessive eWh. Personally, I think the breed can only support 3 of them, Black Copper, Wheaten and Cuckoo, at the Championship level of quality. Cuckoo is an old color in Marans. The breed being partially founded on the Belgian Cuckoo Malines. The rest of the colors, including my fav, The Golden Salmon, ( Black-Breasted Red) will always attract a following. But I don't think enough to be APA competitors at the Championship level.
On another front, I find the trend to add "blue" to everything to be troubling. It creates odd colors and "splashes" the correct colors. 1/2 bred blue birds are sold as "exciting projects". I do not think the Blue gene is without its health dangers. We are finally recognizing that in the dog world. And I have read a very few scientific articles hinting at that concern for the poultry world.
Best Regards,
Karen
Former Director of Archives
Marans of America Club

That is interesting to read. I guess it has little to do with 'APA/ABA culture', sorry, but what health dangers might the blue gene carry for poultry?
Thanks!

Dipsy Doodle Doo said:

That is interesting to read. I guess it has little to do with 'APA/ABA culture', sorry, but what health dangers might the blue gene carry for poultry?
Thanks!

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Apparently that is still up in the air. The papers I read were scientific "suspicions". In dogs, it has to do with skin and eye disorders. I don't know
about poultry. The papers didn't get that specific.
Best,
Karen

Dipsy Doodle Doo said:

That is interesting to read. I guess it has little to do with 'APA/ABA culture', sorry, but what health dangers might the blue gene carry for poultry?
Thanks!

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Andalusians are an old breed-they were in the first APA Standard & existed long before that. If there are "health issues" singular to Andalusians it's news to me.