Are there any Houdans that look like the APA standard?

[becky3086]

Do you have a roo to go with that hen?

 

[CARS]

Try this link: http://books.google.com/books?id=1H...-a&source=gbs_navlinks_s#v=onepage&q=&f=false

It's what I pasted from another group. You may have to manipulate it to work, but I was able to download a PDF from it. (psst... click on the PDF)

 

[becky3086]

Thanks so much for the link. I am really enjoying looking over all sorts of breeds!! I do see what you mean about the houdan. We are a long way from perfect like those but I am not discouraged.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

this is my Raven, i believe she is a mix of houdan with polish or just a very off houdan. i got eggs from someone on ebay and they had them listed as polish but their pics were of houdans that were very white looking. got the 5 toes but her legs are completely black. she ended up being almost completely black with the exception of 2 feathers in the back of her crest that have white tips.

her crest hasn't filled out much since these were taken. but she has such a wonderful personality and lays consistently about every day since she started.

 

[Shiningfeather]

Here is my roo, i think he is quite handsome!

I only have him and no hens

, I took him in so he would not have to go to freezer camp.

ETA his feet

 

[Freeholder]

What would you have to do to bring the right type back to the Houdans? (Never mind the color -- that can be fixed later!) Would adding some Dorking in do it? (And that's why we need to make sure we keep the Foundation breeds like the Dorkings!)

Kathleen

 

[CARS]

Quote:
"that can be fixed later!" Please explain because that is exactly what I am talking about. I haven't even got into the size and egg quality yet.

We are trying to find a Houdan that looks like the picture in the standard breed book.

 

[Freeholder]

Well, it seems like the biggest problem (much more important than the wrong coloring) is that the Houdans today are mostly too light -- i.e. wrong type. Wasn't the breed originally supposed to be dual-purpose? So you need to get some size back into them. Since Dorkings were almost certainly one of the breeds used to make Houdans in the first place, it seems like they would be the best choice for getting some size and meat type back into them? Once the type was back then you could work on the color....I would work on selecting for a little better laying, too, but I don't show and my birds have to be productive. Color isn't as important to me. I do think the original type of Houdans were attractive birds, and seems like they were useful, as well -- it would be good to save the useful attributes as well as the attractiveness.

Kathleen

 

[becky3086]

I would like to get mine up to a larger size as well and I understand the idea of using dorkings. Provided you could find a dorking that actually looks like its standard and then you would have to know which color dorking to use (which I don't). Now my houdans do lay great. It is the end of December and I still get eggs almost every day(the seem to only take breaks if it rains

).
Shiningfeather, I like the color of your houdan and his size but his wattles are very large and they should be small on houdan and his crest is a bit sparse and looks more Polish in type. The one foot looks good but I think that is entirely too much white in the tail.

 

[becky3086]

CARS do you have pictures of your houdan to post?

Here is what I like/dislike about my houdan according to the standard you have posted. My hens are too small and have too much white mottling on them, their crests are not full enough and their breasts not big enough, they are too small overall, although one is slightly larger than the other.
As for my roo, I am more pleased with him. He is darker, does not have a lot of white in the tail, has the small wattles, comb and feet that he should have. His beard is not full enough, his crest is not round enough. He is a decent size but could also use more breast as well. Of course, his color needs a lot of work.