Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[yadaguhtoo]

Thank you for the link flower After reading the standard and looking at chick photos it apperas to me I have 2 Silver large fowl. They both are marked like a chipmunk and look like they have chipmunk cheeks (fluffy). I really didn't care if they are true Ameracauna or not I just got them for the egg color and to add some variety to my flock. They are just cute as can be

 

[enggass]

I love the Silver shown earlier... Who sells eggs for that color?

 

[Cass]

Quote:
Ok....I have a question for you, as a judge....how did you miss the WRONG COMB? I mean, really? I know next to nothing about chickens and NOTHING about showing, but I sure can tell a single comb from a double, from a triple, from a pea, from a rose. Color is subjective...personally I have a gray/green color blindness, so I am not a good candidate for judging Ameruacanas....but comb style/size?

And I disagree with you regarding how the OP sought her information....who else should she go to about how to resolve a problem in her first show than to a forum that is all about birds and showing? Jean is here(president of Ameraucana Breeding)....can't find a better authority on what is and what isn't SOP regarding Ameraucanas....And here she could do it without identifying herself to the world, or even what show it was.

And if you reread her post, she was really more upset with the WIC spouting incorrect information and threatening her with "lifetime ban on all shows". She just meantioned the one bird that got a blue ribbon as an illustration of things she saw wrong with how the show was being run and asked us all "what would you do?" (and we answered her to the best of our ability given the information we had)

 

[Bob 1186]

Most EE's do not follow a particular accepted color pattern in their feathers. Also, the pigment of the legs may be wrong, eye color may be wrong, and combs may not be of the correct type, that being a "pea" comb. Pea combs are fairly small, close to the head and have 3 distinct rows of points. This is more discernable in the males than the females. Ameracaunas have feathers growing under their beak known as a "muff". Aracaunas have "ear tuffs" and no tail. If an Ameracauna has ear tuffs or no tail, they are disqualified in a breed show. Also, an Ameracauna female is only supposed to lay a blue egg, not green, or pink. Some EE's even lay an egg tint very close to brown. The American Poultry Associaton has accepted feather color varieties of Ameracaunas which include Black, Buff, White, Wheaton, Blue Wheaton, Blue, and Brown Red. Most of the EE's that I have seen come in many different variations of feather colors, but with no distinct pattern like the above mentioned varieties. I hope this will answer your question. There are several websites that describe poultry breeds and varieties and include pictures. In order to get the "whole" picture including the descriptions and weights of all poultry recognized by the APA, refer to their book titled "The American Standard of Perfection".

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
Ok....I have a question for you, as a judge....how did you miss the WRONG COMB? I mean, really? I know next to nothing about chickens and NOTHING about showing, but I sure can tell a single comb from a double, from a triple, from a pea, from a rose. Color is subjective...personally I have a gray/green color blindness, so I am not a good candidate for judging Ameruacanas....but comb style/size?

And I disagree with you regarding how the OP sought her information....who else should she go to about how to resolve a problem in her first show than to a forum that is all about birds and showing? Jean is here(president of Ameraucana Breeding)....can't find a better authority on what is and what isn't SOP regarding Ameraucanas....And here she could do it without identifying herself to the world, or even what show it was.
And if you reread her post, she was really more upset with the WIC spouting incorrect information and threatening her with "lifetime ban on all shows". She just meantioned the one bird that got a blue ribbon as an illustration of things she saw wrong with how the show was being run and asked us all "what would you do?" (and we answered her to the best of our ability given the information we had)

I'm not the judge, but do know combs are very easy to misidentify [I've seen a pea comb so tall it loped over.], but that isn't really the point. The exhibits at 4H shows, especially at the county fair level, are seldom judged as strictly or intencely as a regualar event. The judge admitted he missed it, 'nuff said. I sure hope the poor kid getting that blue ribbon does not read this thread, but for those intent on setting this 'grave injustice'

. right, I suppose they can find the show results, search the kid down, and explain to them why you think they don't deserve that ribbon. Personally, I think it would be better to just move on.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

What a mess. Does Bob = WIC?

 

[Bob 1186]

Cass: Have you ever attempted to judge a poultry show? There are many things to try to remember as far as going over the bird, and in a 4 H show, you also have a young person standing there that wants to know what you're looking at and why. So, I'm talking to them and focusing on their face as I talk. Comparable to a distraction while evaluating the bird. The particular bird in question here is an immature pullet with a comb that is all but invisible. I admit, that in this case, I was more focused on the feather and leg color and just missed checking the comb closely. How do you miss such a thing as that you asked? Simply put, I just overlooked it by concentrating on other areas and teaching the exhibitor about different aspects of the bird. And I admit, that is no excuse! Just plain human error on my part. I invite anyone reading this to "cast the first stone" if you have never made a mistake! What more can I say? I goofed! Do I deserve to be tarred and feathered? Believe me, I have beaten myself up mentally since this has all come to light. I don't like making mistakes! I wish to be perfect, but know that is impossible. Enough said.

 

[Bob 1186]

Bob is not "Woman in charge"!

 

[SteveH]

Quote:

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi Bob the judge (and directing this to you and not anyone else), The fault that I see, from where I sit at my keyboard, is with the Woman-In-Charge. She allowed unchecked birds (for health certificates) in the barn, made false claims, portrayed the show judge to be the vice-president of the APA (which you are not?).
...
and in re-reading, the greater issue is with the W_I_C and not so much the judging.
It's just a mess.