Are there any Houdans that look like the APA standard?

[NYREDS]

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I haven't been there yet!

You do of course realize that Houdans & Polish are two different breeds right? They're both crested but still diferent breeds.

 

[AWChickens]

You do of course realize that Houdans & Polish are two different breeds right? They're both crested but still diferent breeds.

You mean I can't sell my speckled Polish crosses as Houdans like one woman tried to sell me?

Yes, but many of the Houdan breeders list themselves on the Polish Club site, they include all crested breeds since there isn't a site like that for Houdans or Crevecoeurs - several people there as well as here have been very helpful. I'm just determined to get a line going, and getting nearly desperate enough to drive an unreasonable distance to find nice birds LOL​

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

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[SBRUSH88]

Several years ago Barb Piper in Michigan had the best Mottled Houdans there were to be had. I believe that her flock mostly went to Phil Bartz, and APA judge and rare breed specialist. His address is in the judge listing in Poultry Press, and also on the APA website. Phone is 217.243.9229, or you can try his e-mail: [email protected]

I understand he can be challenging to get a hold of, but if he still has some of Barb's Houdans, that is where I'd go to try and get some.

BTW, if you can get a copy of Harrison Weir's book on poultry, his section on Mottled Houdans is quite outstanding, with some excellent photos of birds from one of the premier breeders of the day (1920's/30's) who was up in Maine.

I actually had some of Barb's Mottled Houdan large fowl that I hatched from a clutch of eggs I got from her. Only got a handful, and the males were grumpy things, but the hens were pleasant. Kind of wish I'd been able to keep a few.

Sam Brush

 

[AWChickens]

Thanks Sam, I will try to get ahold of him! Amanda

 

[CARS]

This is an old post, but the question was never followed up.

Has anyone found a breeder of the APA Standard??

 

[becky3086]

I would love to know as well. I love my Houdan and would love to see some great birds as well. I am glad this post was brought up again since I hadn't seen it.

 

[CARS]

Becky, your birds are beautiful but you do know what I am saying right? The standard pic from 1904 is just tipped with white on about 1 of every 4 feathers. I have been searching during this whole snow storm and seen nothing as far as real pictures to support the standard.

How would you get a bird, such as you show on your BYC page back to the standard? Sounds like a challenge to me!

 

[becky3086]

That's the thing, we who have Houdan need to see a good representation of the breed so we can know what to work towards. I basically plan to do the same as I would with any of my breeds, hatch out a lot of chicks and pick the ones that are closer to the standard. So far my birds have great toes, just the way they should be, the crests aren't bad, I don't think, but could be fuller on the females, comb is good on that roo, need to get the body type larger and color better. I didn't hatch to many this year but so far, I might(but it's unlikely) breed just one of them. I do intend to hatch a lot more this winter and next spring and we'll just see how it goes.

 

[CARS]

Well, i'm interested in working with you on this. I have the room, can make the time.

I posted on the heritage breed yahoo group too. We'll see what the pro's know.

How does a breed get so far from the standard and be sold as the standard name??? There should be regulations on that