A Heritage of Perfection: Standard-bred Large Fowl

[Yellow House Farm]

Still so much to learn myself; so much to try and discover and so much to appreciate.

That's one of the things I really enjoy about this hobby. With 140 years of history, I've yet to get to the bottom of the pot.

 

[racertomtom]

Hmmm....APA culture has a long history, and it's fairly concrete. It has past down for many generations, and I mean that literally. Top quality stock is past down. The stock, the breeders, it's a whole culture, and it is the only culture that has kept these breeds available at this quality. There is no other place where they exist.

The newcomer doesn’t understand that everything about this culture has purpose. This isn’t some club where you have to learn the secret handshake before you can join. The founders of the APA weren’t sitting around making up words because they were cool; they did it because there was a need to be specific. The terminology is important to accurately convey a conversation.

A newcomer to SOP poultry doesn’t realize how important it is to know whether or not a bird has experienced its first molt, which to me is the difference between cockerel and cock. Rooster tells me nothing other than it’s a male. When you have a cock and cockerel of equal quality, they are no longer both roosters, the cock is now much more valuable to the breeder, exhibitor and judge than the cockerel. The cockerel could still wind up a cull. That’s why there’s two different terms describing a male.

Now, I have no problem with rooster, boy, girl, male etc, when the context is only identifying sex, but I’d really like to see the newcomers learn the terminology, body parts etc. so the experienced breeders could give better advice and help make more good breeders.That's how we insure the survival of the breeds.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Absolutely! And, in sympathy, yes, it is true that a few online folks get a bit ridiculous gratuitously. Yet these people do not represent an accurate pic of the APA, and it would be better for the APA were they to learn manners.

Still, in every group, wherever one goes, there are those who growl.

Just remain open.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
Well it's been an interesting last 13 posts. Lots to think about. I used to be part of the Marans of America Club. Wonderful people. The Marans community as a whole, moving forward is, I think, a good example of creating and maintaining interest in a breed. They did 2 things I thought were inspired, first was the egg show. It allowed folks who never wanted to show to compete. To win and feel pride in their birds. Most importantly whether they were show quality or not, suddenly they were prizewinners because they could lay a winning egg. APA judges can judge eggs of any breed. Darkness is one of only 4 different qualities judged. Here's how the Marans Chicken Club USA Egg Show Card reads. Of course each Club would want to change the specs on the judging to fit the history and expectations for their breed.
Egg Judging Card
Exhibitor entry:------------
Color/Variety:-----------------
Shell Color:---------
Shape:------------
Texture:-----------------
Uniformity:-------------
Total Points:-------------
Variety Placing:----------
Top Overall Placing:------------
Judge:---------- Date:----------
----------------------
Criteria for judging printed on the reverse side of the card:
Shell Color-7 points ( shades of darkness)
#1-3 = 0 points (DQ)
#4= 1 point
#5= 2 points
#6= 3 points
#7= 4 points
#8= 5 points
#9= 7 points
(*Color judged based on the MCF color scale).

Shape - 1 point
Texture- 2 points
Matt- 0 points
Satin- 1 point( The shell should feel smooth to the touch all over.)
Bright: 2 points (Bloom and appearance will only be present with freshness.)
Uniformity: 3 points
Total Possible Points : 13 points
=======================
It would be fun to ask the Club membership for input
on the criteria for the egg judging. Study the history
of the breed for clues. Award ribbons and Rosettes
( for the higher placing wins). Include a decorated egg
show. Anyone can enter. have a Junior division for the
kids. Age no limit. Possible categories include the limits
of your imagination including dyed eggs ( great for the tots!).
----------------
Another thing some Clubs have done is issue Club
specific leg rings. The Marans Of America Club
issues a different color each year. They are inexpensive
and really dress up the birds in addition to providing
necessary ID. Also, sold only to Club Members, so can
be used to ID birds eligible for Parent Club Only awards
at poultry shows. The genius of these programs is they
include the general membership .People who are interested
in the breed showing or not. Maybe they will show later?
Sometimes people just need to feel their birds are worthy.
An egg show ca do that. Maybe they are show quality,
maybe not. Yet, everyone has a possibility to have
something to brag about. People gather online to await
the judging of the eggs. Excitement prevails when the
winners are announced. Bottom line, everyone likes to win.
People like to feel special. Members like to see their efforts
appreciated. Vanity sells.
Best,
Karen

 

[Vamvakas]

Does anyone know anything about breeder Joel B. Gilman stock from VA? Can't find any photos of his birds anywhere.. I found his ad in the poultry press and has good amount of different breeds to choose from and might be worth the time looking into.

 

[gjensen]

I do not think it is unreasonable to expect the newcomers like myself to use the correct terminology. A sense of correctness is important for anything that means anything. When I read through the Standard, I never saw the word Roo.

That said, I do not see any sense in getting worked up to a point where being rude is helpful. I do not think simple correction is being rude. I prefer correction over being wrong. We should not be that sensitive and easily offended. And if we are offended, we should get over it in a short time.

 

[gjensen]

Which breed clubs are the most successful and why? I'm a member of two breed clubs that have no participation. Of course, getting members active is key, but I'm wondering how and what else can be done to create a strong, active breed club?

I suspect the internet social forums meet the need to associate with like minded people. Information is easy to have.

Then, the boom of interest in keeping poultry does not seam to have benefited many breeds. There is still a lack of interest among those that take it seriously. Or want to.

It appears that the breed clubs in the best shape are those with breeds that have the most interest.

It would seam that it would require the right core group to get it going, keep it going, promote it and the breed. Create it's own following, so to speak. The members need to benefit in some way, or it is not worth the money. The club is competing with the internet.

Just my opinions.

 

[3riverschick]

The members need to benefit in some way, or it is not worth the money.

my point entirely with the egg shows and leg rings.
Best,
Karen

 

[fowlman01]

Breed clubs are made strong by members like Bob Blosi. It takes promotion and a core group of hard workers.

Walt

 

[troyer]

It is very difficult to keep a club going as it seems the ones that want to lead out in them (the early aggressive leaders) are also the ones to quit breeding after a few years. There seems to be a lot of surface enthusiasm, someone sees a breed, really likes a certain color and decides they want to breed and raise them. After realizing that it actually takes a tremendous amount of dedication and commitment the vast majority will just quit. I've given away a lot more quality fowl than I've sold in an effort to get a breed spread out and into more hands. I am becoming discouraged from doing so as a lot of good birds were lost in the effort. Of course I won't give away my best unless I know said breeder has already been breeding show quality poultry for 10 years or more and has no intention of quitting. I am here to learn from others that have walked the path ahead of me.