Australorps breed Thread

[cubakid]

Hi Cuba,
             our SOP calls for " ....a sweeping curve from neck to tail." Ray Connor - " The sweeping  curve from neck to tail is very important. The key here is that the curve starts at the base of the neck and continues in one sweep to the tail. No angles at all is the point to keep in mind." Don't really see any issue here.
     Pretty strong words at the end, Cuba! Not really sure what you mean, but I presume you're referring to fluffy thighs. I'm gonna have to agree to disagree with you on this one. It's a matter of interpretation, but I don't read "well feathered" as meaning 'well fluffed'. Don't want an  argument, Cuba. I'll leave you with a couple of quotes from old Ray, whom I'd suggest knows more about BA's than all of us together!
               " When I look down the sides of a fowl I don't want to see any side fluff hanging out."

                 " Fluff is one of the terms in poultry often confused in its interpretation. Both definitions apply to Australorps but in different     ways. The first ...is the silky feathering found on the inner half of every feather..... we do not want them to be 'fluffy' because they are a tight feathered breed. Orpington fowls and Pekin bantams are'fluffy' breeds.
                 The second definition ...... describes the soft feathering on the thighs and abdomen. We really only want the absolute minimum here to cover the skin but no bare skin and no feather dusters!"
                "As breeders, we must try to breed a tighter feathered bird, particularly round the thighs."
  I could go on, Cuba, but I'll spare you!  Over here it's a "fad" that began with the first standardised BA's.
Cheers  Geoff

I meant nothing on the subject of fluffy thighs, but that it gives those that like fluffy birds(not me) the subjective wording that they need lots of feathers on the thighs. I see it as the thighs should be feathered but not so much as too hide the thighs. Not by any means as tight as an old English but surely not as fluffy as an orp. I completely agree with you. The word fluffy is not in the description of the thighs. I see our current description having too much room for interpretational error and should be worded differently to rid of even the slightest interpretation of fluffyness. I did not by any means mean to bring in any frustration, or bring up something that would step on toes, so to speak. I really was just pointing out, in my opinion, a flaw in our standard.

 

[cubakid]

Hi Cuba,
             really hope that you didn't find my last post to you intimidating nor patronising. You know how much I respect and admire so much knowledge and expertise in one so young. It's just that when you express strong, subjective opinions, they work more effectively if you're a little more 'diplomatic' if they're supported with some evidence or  by experience. A fine judge, that you'll be, needs to practise the arts of diplomacy.
            Also hope you don't think that I'm implying that Aussies 'know better'. Our BA breeders are no more expert than your own, they just have more exposure and experience with our National breed. I have little doubt that Ray Connor's cv/resume would make him a 'shoe in' for world BA doyen though! I have never claimed to be an expert. I just like sharing my BA journey with the fine folk on here. Am I a BA history/heritage/breeding 'tragic'? Guilty! Am I a 'know all'? No, but I wanna be!
         And, hey Cuba, we will never all agree on fine detail interpretation of our SOP's. As an old English teacher, I can't help but ask though, if someone is described as having a 'full' head of hair, would your first assumption be that they are not bald, or that they had an Afro?
Cheers  Geoff 

Your comparison with the hair makes perfect sense. I see our friends from Aussie land having a good jump ahead of us and respect and recognize thier history in you country. I am not intimidated as I respect your thoughts, and learn from them, I just think my post was maybe misinterpreted. Aussies are in fact the creators of Aussies, and they should be proud of that!

In another direction, I have been setting eggs. About 20 or so a week. I have one chick hatched, but it is a little small, coming from a pullet egg. Hopefully will have some decent numbers this year. I was also told by a judge( after overhearing the other judges say my other cockbird looks like an orp) that I should get some blood outside of our west coast bloodline. So I may have chicks shipped in to breed next year. I need to get my computer fixed, as I'm getting quite a few pictures on my chip but can't upload them.

 

[cubakid]

The old Australorp club here closed, unfortunately. I have a white "Australorp", she is from a breeder that had Australorps. I have birds that I belive are out of her and plan to breed them together hoping for more.

 

[groche]

Cheers Cuba

Geoff

 

[groche]

Cheers Cuba

Geoff

Cuba, meant to ask whether you have a copy of Ray Connor's book. If not, it'd be my pleasure to get one to you - in the name of intergenerational and Aussie/US relations! PM me your address etc if you're interested.
Cheers Geoff

 

[aveca]

The old Australorp club here closed, unfortunately. I have a white "Australorp", she is from a breeder that had Australorps. I have birds that I belive are out of her and plan to breed them together hoping for more.

Love to see a pic of her Cuba..

 

[pfleming]

I really wish that we had a club in the US
I think that there is more chicken people now then before that would join

 

[cubakid]

I'll try. She doesn't have the greatest type but has other Aussie features like the leg color with white pads and also the dark beak color, and eyes. Her tail is somewhat pinched but held about right. Thanks Geoff, I sent a PM

 

[aveca]

I think its interesting Cuba, a white aussie..Every other country has them, we should too..

Geoff, where I live, a little pantaloon doesnt hurt..It gets very cold here, Ive never ever had a problem with spring babies and mommies outside even with frost on the ground..,

 

[groche]

I think its interesting Cuba, a white aussie..Every other country has them, we should too..

Geoff, where I live, a little pantaloon doesnt hurt..It gets very cold here, Ive never ever had a problem with spring babies and mommies outside even with frost on the ground..,

I agree, Aveca.
Don't really have much choice as they are obviously very trendy pantaloons. A worldwide smash! Have managed to breed a few 'individualists', who wear a tighter feather. Hope to breed from some of these girls. Also quite pleased with the curve I've got on quite a few girls. Still not pleased with too many comb points, which I really didn't forsee as a problem. Empathy, Cuba! Pics to follow, as I've had quite a demand for birds, so it's not such a 'black blurr' anymore. Aveca, if you're the cockerel breeding gal, I'm the male version, mate! Very fertile Derrick, but too many boys! Just had a chainsaw carver/mason from Washington State staying with me. Lovely fella, but very happy to be in 100 degrees rather than home. Asked him how Aus differed from the States. Nice reply -"The same, but kinda askew! It's 'normal', but something's not quite right."
Cheers Geoff