Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Cloverleaf Farm]

pips&peeps :

Quote:
That was one of the nicer boys there, it was Royce's and it didn't place like I thought he would.

Here is a pic of my black lf girl from that show:

http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/11/92/42669211/photos/2011-Spring-Show/DSC_0108.JPG

Here's Jeanine shrugging her duties:

http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/11/92/42669211/photos/2011-Spring-Show/DSC_0158.JPG

LOL Hey, at least I was AT the table!!!

 

[OnBorrowedWings]

Hi Ameraucana fanciers,

I came to this thread to satisfy a curiosity about the breed, and have learned a lot about them!

I don't know the "players", but frankly the lively discussion has been a real education, and I am seriously more interested in Ams than I was initially. The back and forth between exhibitors, breeders, newbies, judges, and breed experts has brought the standard alive for me.

Sorry if some folks were offended, and I could care less about the drama and politics. But it was a wonderful thread for me!
__________________
Currently researching breeds, no poultry yet
Just 1 border collie, 1 Irish water spaniel young hooligan, 3 Pyrenean shepherds, a 6 pack of 6 week old Pyr Shep puppies, 4 Lipizzans, a flock of Clun Forest and Clun/shetland crosses, a wonderful stall mucking wisecracking son, and the best husband EVER!
New puppy pics at www.madcap.name

 

[pips&peeps]

Quote:
That was one of the nicer boys there, it was Royce's and it didn't place like I thought he would.

Here is a pic of my black lf girl from that show:

http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/11/92/42669211/photos/2011-Spring-Show/DSC_0108.JPG

Here's Jeanine shrugging her duties:

http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/11/92/42669211/photos/2011-Spring-Show/DSC_0158.JPG

Royce's roo didn't place??????!!!!!!! What was the reason? I love that beard on that boy!

Oh Jeanine, can't hide from us now!

As for the Judge Bob, glad you looked at your mistakes and next time, be mindful about what you will be judging. I stand behind Denise on her birds and the WIC incident being banned for life was uncalled for. So there was two different things going on at the same day so I do not see anything she had said you were honky UNLESS someone whispered to you about Denise being upset about how it was judged unfairly.

As for EMsquared's newer flock from Cackle, sorry I only saw EE's. As for the bantams, I did see one wheaton pullet that had one leg out that is green and the leg underneath her was slate. That is how my monitor was seeing and I blew up the pictures even more to get more details of the colors. I believe her Silver Wheaton has slate legs and they do look alot nicer than the hatchery ee bantams. If she is serious about Ameraucanas, she should be able to start all over by asking alot of questions. I am sure Jean has alot more credit and respectfully Walt, breeders and judges can work together hand in hand to provide the best possible example of the breed. I trust Jean totally when it comes to Ameraucanas, even she informed me that my Ameraucana hen I had was not of color standard even her parents were John Blehm stock of different color...sure she would be pure Ameraucana by blood and type but not by color so therefore, she would be non standard. There are alot of knowledgeable people in here and they do deserve the respect.

Interesting thread and glad everyone is keeping level headed at times.

He did place, but not as well as I thought he should have. Another one of his birds placed ahead of him. I thought he was the best wheaten at the show.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Well, I lost my Blue Wheaten roo after Irene. I had them penned up and I thought they would have enough sense to stay in the back of the pen where they couldn't get rained on, but this silly guy stood out in the rain and was dripping wet and crowing his fool head off. He got majorally waterlogged and after my best effort to get him dry and back up to par, he still didn't make it. I have 3 of his sons, but they are all Wheatens. So, I'm in search of another BW or Splash cockerel somewhere and sometime before spring of next year.

 

[Muggsmagee]

Quote:
Glad you can appreciate it! The last few days have been pretty lively. Hope you find the birds/breeds you seek!

 

[averytds]

Our state fair opens are supposed to be judged by the SOPs. Last years APA judge placed EEs over AMs in the opens. Judge the year before DQed them. Not going this year, so who knows, but I was disappointed in last years. So yeah, there are some APA licensed judges with issues. Had one at an opens last year (ABA judge) say he was relieved when he saw DS's were real AMs because he hated having to always explain why he DQed someones "AMs". I guess he runs into a lot of EEs.

Our county judge is not licensed and we've yet to figure out what he's using to judge by. He seems to prefer birds from the feed store and doesn't necessarily take condition into account. About the only thing we can say for sure is he doesn't particularly like breeder stock in prime condition. The more likely a bird is to win at a bigger sanctioned show, the more likely he is to give it a red.

Unfortunately our extension agent won't let us hire anyone else, so we direct the truly serious kids out of 4-H and into the opens. Our state 4-H poultry guy isn't happy about it, but not much else we can do.


I've got no problem with kids showing EEs or whatever really at the county fair. They'll do well in the less competitive counties and have some fun. The problems generally come for those who want to move on. If there are no competitive counties who send birds to state (it happens), those same kids can even do well at state, but that's not the norm. All it takes is one kid who knows what's what to show up with some nice birds and the level of competition will quickly reach a level that most of the birds just won't be able to compete at. Given decent options, IME most APA/ABA judges at the state level will reflect that across the board. They want to uphold the SOPs, they just aren't always given anything decent to judge. Last years cage cards on the Silkies at state were brutal. DD's were truly spectacular birds. Without them, the other's would have been judged much more lenient I'm sure.

I'll never forget my DS's 1st hatchery Brahma cock that he was so proud of with all his blue ribbon wins and what not. Then we got to state and had our first glimpse of a breeder Brahma cock.

He learned a lot at that show, took his red, thought it over, decided he wanted to go back and spent the next year researching and acquiring better stock.

It's no longer buying/hatching, raising and showing. Now it's breeding. Throw them out together and be happily surprised by whatever comes out of it.

No way. If we had all kinds of variations coming out, there'd be some breeders with some serious 'splaining to do.

Culled down to the best, selectively paired. We don't/haven't sold any. We've given some away after assuring no noticeable DQs and given carefully selected hatching eggs away to kids so they can get started off right. You know how many ABC breeders we contacted while getting our initial stock that said they had at least temporarily mixed their colors and wouldn't/couldn't in good conscience sell us stock for showing/breeding?

I'm often in the position of advising kids on which of their birds they should enter for our locals. First thing I want to know is where they plan to go with it. If they're just doing the locals I say hey, pick whatever you like or want to show off since we don't know what's the deal with our judge. If they have any thoughts of going on to state though we hit the SOPs. Sometimes they get past our judge, sometimes not. He put a FL EE through.

For those that are interested, if they do happen to qualify we want to be able to wish them luck at state, not explain later why they got DQed. One this year qualified with a black sexlink. Pretty bird, but had to let the parent know, he will be DQed at state. If he can't handle that, don't let him enter. Good rule of thumb, if you can't identify class, breed and variety of a particular bird reasonably quickly, probably shouldn't enter that bird.

 

[SteveH]

I read some comments on Ameraucana's flavor, and just wanted to say that so far I've found both Ameraucana type EEs and Ameraucanas to be superbly flavored, both tasted very much alike, though neither as meaty I think they could be if Ameraucanas were bred for the "practical fowl for home food production", "plump well feathered body" and "prominent, well rounded" breast described in the [American Standard of Perfection 2010/i]. I found the meat to be darker and richer flavored throughout and much preferred it to the commercial type white feathered meat chicken often called Cornish Rocks or Cornish Cross. Admittedly I tried more EEs, which varied a bit in body type, and only B/B/S Ameraucanas, but both dressed out to a very simular looking dressed bird [both a bit lacking in depth of meat] with also the same texture, and flavor. I've always liked the appearance of yellow skinned birds when dressed, but confess that I could tell no difference after they were cooked. Of course I've always preferred the dark meat of drums and thighs over breast meat, so those preferring the light meat might not like Ameraucana as well. [Please don't be offended if you consider your Ameraucanas pets, but I do raise my birds for eggs and meat and assume most others here do also.]

 

[Goose and Fig]

Quote:
If I could find somebody to process.....I have a boatload of delaware and del project roos that I would love to put in the freezer. And I would probably just keep hatching the wheatens too! Just haven't gotten to the point where I could do it myself. It would help me get to the flock I am truely happy with alot faster though.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

pips&peeps :

So........ let's start another topic on ameraucanas.



I am going to start brainstorming to put together a couple gift baskets for the winners at Nationals. Anyone have any ideas except for goodies??? Remember, these have to make a journey in a car for a couple days from WA to IN.

(If it's edible, it might not make it...

)

Thanks,

I recently held a Chicken Meet at my farm for Northern Illinois, Eastern Indiana area. The first time ever I was at or hosted one of these events. I asked for donations from suppliers and a cornucopia of wonderful gifts came in. (If you E-mail me I can help you in your endeavor.) I got soft sided coolers, garden shears, Leatherman-type tools, salt & pepper shakers in the shape of chickens, chicken embossed bowls, writing pads, carry sacks, Happy Hens Treats, Rooster Clocks, Free Back Yard Poultry Magazine subscriptions, Free magazine issue certificates, 6 month BYC GFM, Chicken Salad Seed Packs,........ No One went home empty handed.
I have a knack for this.
Since you are passing through Paradise Found on your way to Indy, would you like my collaboration?​

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Quote:
Amen, Jean!!!!

I am 100% with you - but - as long as so many hatcheries are selling birds that lay blue/green eggs with a beard and muffs as "Ameraucanas" - no matter how we spell it (mine were spelled correctly) it seems to me - we still have a HUGE problem. (Absolutely NO offense intended here but I think there are a lot of judges that don't understand the difference.)

These hatcheries are not just selling AM's. Hatcheries are a huge problem to exhibition poultry and education in a humane way is the only way to keep those birds down on the farm. You as breeders can do the most good, but just talking about it won't cut it. Talk to judges, fair management, show sups etc.

How does it go..."The Lord will help those that help themselves". If it is important to you, don't count on other people to do it.

Walt

Dear Walt:
I tried to speak to the judge but was not allowed near him either during ( understandable) or after the judging. We waited 3 1/2 hours after the judging was completed to speak with our APA judge and was not allowed near him. I suppose I could have yelled to him that I wanted a moment of his time but felt that would be rude. When is the correct time to "push" yourself towards the judge and get his/her attention that you would like to speak to them? What is an acceptable amout of "push"? How is this done without offending anyone or being, well, pushy?

Edited for spelling