Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[fowlman01]

Forrest was a good guy, and he did a lot for the APA..some people don't know that. He raised Le Fleche, I'm sure he didn't want to hear anything about the devil and his birds. lol

One time when he was at a show in LA, Forrest tried to recruit my show buddy Bob Jones into the APA. Bob let him do his sales pitch for about a half hour and then told Forrest to look on the State Reps page in the APA yearbook. Then Forrest finds out Bob is the CA rep for the APA.....hahahaha...."you deceived me" was the last thing I heard as we walked away. lol I wonder what happened to that giant Langshan that he had made. Who else would pay 10K for a giant plastic chicken you could sit on?
We have as much fun as is legal when we go to these shows. Have you met Bob, Jim? He is pretty crazy.

Walt

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Being absent from the Fancy a few years I am re-meeting so many folks.

The Langshan Statute was suppose to be donated to the National poultry Museum in Kansas. That's what Forrest told me several times. Hope it was.

I got in trouble once because of Forrest. Back when i was fighting for my kids, the prosecutor asked me, under oath, why I was trying to get inside the metal health a facility my ex was staying at. Seems I drove out of Claremore north to just before the facility. Then I was seen talking to this old man. He then led me out to the back of his property and inside some out buildings where we disappeared. Presumably to spy on the facility. My attorney conference with me a moment, then asked me to explain, in my own words, what I was doing there. Under oath i explained that I had known Forrest, a former county commissioner, since 1982. I explained what the large black Langshan was and that it was the only of its kind. I explained what the outbuildings were and what was inside. Long winded that I was, this took over 15 minutes. in the end, I explained that the facility had no sign and I had no idea what it was or even where it was until that moment when I was asked about it in court. That little hard nosed corrupt prosecutor was furious that she had revealed this "secret facility" location.

the next court hearing, I arrived a couple of hours early and drove out to visit with Forrest.

Only agreed with Forrest 50% of the time. We were both members of the same denomination and political party. But he was a good friend and mentor to me and many others.

As for Bob, his name sounds familiar.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

The Le Fleche is an old Heritage breed that needs more admirers and defintely more breeders!

I have so enjoyed this Fancy! Poultry shows really can be a fun place!

At the El Dorado, Arkansas show a couple of years back, my wife asked what breed of chickens these were. I waited until this tall man in boots and Stetson hat walked over, then said, "Devil chickens!"

Forrest Beauford was speachless for several moments!

Finally he got the words, "They're Le Fletche", out of his mouth!

He knew I knew what they were!

I did not always agree with him, but sure did like him.

"YOU HAVE GOT TO JUDGE BY THE STANDUURD OF PERRFEACTION!" - Forrest Beauford 1923-2012

 

[fowlman01]

JIm, if you had met Bob, you would remember him......trust me.

w.

 

[7961]

Who is raising Le Fleche these days? I have not heard of many, if any in a long time.

 

[Robert Blosl]

La Flèche Chicken

The words “la fleche” translates in French as “the arrow.” It has been said that the La Flèche chicken gets its name from the arrow-like shape of its v-shaped comb, but the name actually was derived from its geographic origin. La Flèche is a town in the department of Sarthe within the Pays de la Loire region of France. The village lies east of Paris, near famous racing city of Le Mans. The name of the village was given to it by the Church of St. Thomas in reference to the arrow that martyred their patron saint. This breed of chicken is said to have first been produced in Le Mans during the fifth century, and then Mizeray and finally at La Flèche.
The La Flèche chicken is a medium-sized bird with black plumage, white earlobes, and a distinct v-shaped comb. The breed is deceptive in size; having tight fitting feathers, it is much heavier than it appears. They resemble Spanish chickens, with the exception of their comb. La Flèche hens lay very large white eggs and lay well from March through October. La Flèche chicks grow fairly slowly. However, the breed was famous for producing magnificent capons (castrated cockerels) and poulardes (fattened pullets) that were much celebrated in the Paris and Anjou markets. Today in the farmers market of La Fleche, these birds are sometimes sold as the “Fowl of Le Mans.”
Of all the French breeds of chicken, it is said that the La Flèche stands at the head for table qualities. They have thin white skin with tender, juicy, delicate, short-grained flesh. Their breasts are meaty and full in shape. The breed fattens well, with the fat distributed across the breasts, legs, thighs, and even the back. La Flèche chickens have a small proportion of offal (edible internal organs) to meat. They were also used to “gaver” or stuff – an old traditional practice of making birds eat more by inserting a tube into their mouths that introduces a specially blended wet mash and supplements their normal diet in order to fatten the birds.
A large population of La Flèche chickens made their way to America in the 1850s. They were found by producers to be delicate in constitution, especially so in the eastern and middle States, and were soon abandoned for hardier newly arriving breeds. Poultry author W.B. Tegetmeier purchased some La Flèche chickens and imported them into England in 1882.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/LaFleche/LaFleSPPA.html

Urch got his from Henry K. Miller. One of the great Stringmen of all time. He lived in Penn.

La Flèche chickens were recognized by the American Poultry Association as a standard breed in 1874. The breed comes in only one variety – Black. Males weigh 8 lbs and females weigh 6.5 lbs.

Status: See CPL
Click Here for Breed Clubs and Association Contacts

I wonder if Urch has these. I am sure someone has them out there. You should see them at the Ohio National or Luscasiville.\

Forrest called me one day about 20 years ago and said you wont believe it but I have some of your Rhode Island Reds out here in Oklahoma. How, he said you sold some to a fellow in Massachusetts who also had my Black Lankshangs. Ya the guy that had the Lawn Grooming business. Ya that's him. What happen to him. He fell in love with a girl moved to Hawaii and left everty thing. I got them back plus the Reds. Forrest showed them and did well with them for a few years then they went up in smoke.

You would think someone would have bought them and kept them. No they problem by crossed them onto some buddy Else's strain and ruined ever thing like most people do.

He was a great salesman, I think he owned a SafeWay Grocery Store there and loved horse's. I am sure the Langshang lady can tell us more.

He use to come to El Dora do Show in Arkansas and show a lot of birds. I have a friend who I talk to every week about Reds and he use to be one of the show leaders.

I think he had Langshangs way back in the 1950s or earlyer because Schilling took a picture of one of his males.

Remember Side Pockets. One great rooster. or like some of the Lady's call them a nice Roo.

I am trying to brush up on my back yard mutt terminology so when I start to sell my Cherry Egger line I can make a fortune. They love that kind of stuff but would not give five bucks for a big black Langshang rooster like side pockets.

I am bad, Some one put a pin in my voodoo doll to get me out of this funk.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

JIm, if you had met Bob, you would remember him......trust me.

w.

Checked Bob out on Facebook. He does look very familiar. But that was a long time ago. Jerry and Glen at Shawnee tried to introduce me to everyone! Then they kept me so busy running errands I had no time for fun at the show. I like the shows a lot better now that I am older.

You should check with Dr. Bramwell and come out and judge the Arkansas State Fair sometime. We had Matt Lhamon and Sam Brush 2 years ago. We were unable to attend last year, so don't know who we had. Lately most of the smaller shows here are using Jim Crain and this new kid named Jacob Bates. Somehow Jacob passed his judging tests. They must not be very hard!

Seriously, he is a good judge. They both are.

Who is raising Le Fleche these days? I have not heard of many, if any in a long time.

The last Le Fleche I seen was those Forrest brought. They are a huge bird and beautiful, in spite of their resemblance to the evil fellow in the red suit and pitchfork. Have not heard who got Forrest Le Fleche.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Duane Urch has Le Fleche listed in his 2011-12 price list.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Maybe if we crossed a Lavender to the Le Fleche then more folks would want it? Lavender Le Fleche? Or maybe a Lavender Cuckoo Le Fleche?

La Flèche Chicken

The words “la fleche” translates in French as “the arrow.” It has been said that the La Flèche chicken gets its name from the arrow-like shape of its v-shaped comb, but the name actually was derived from its geographic origin. La Flèche is a town in the department of Sarthe within the Pays de la Loire region of France. The village lies east of Paris, near famous racing city of Le Mans. The name of the village was given to it by the Church of St. Thomas in reference to the arrow that martyred their patron saint. This breed of chicken is said to have first been produced in Le Mans during the fifth century, and then Mizeray and finally at La Flèche.
The La Flèche chicken is a medium-sized bird with black plumage, white earlobes, and a distinct v-shaped comb. The breed is deceptive in size; having tight fitting feathers, it is much heavier than it appears. They resemble Spanish chickens, with the exception of their comb. La Flèche hens lay very large white eggs and lay well from March through October. La Flèche chicks grow fairly slowly. However, the breed was famous for producing magnificent capons (castrated cockerels) and poulardes (fattened pullets) that were much celebrated in the Paris and Anjou markets. Today in the farmers market of La Fleche, these birds are sometimes sold as the “Fowl of Le Mans.”
Of all the French breeds of chicken, it is said that the La Flèche stands at the head for table qualities. They have thin white skin with tender, juicy, delicate, short-grained flesh. Their breasts are meaty and full in shape. The breed fattens well, with the fat distributed across the breasts, legs, thighs, and even the back. La Flèche chickens have a small proportion of offal (edible internal organs) to meat. They were also used to “gaver” or stuff – an old traditional practice of making birds eat more by inserting a tube into their mouths that introduces a specially blended wet mash and supplements their normal diet in order to fatten the birds.
A large population of La Flèche chickens made their way to America in the 1850s. They were found by producers to be delicate in constitution, especially so in the eastern and middle States, and were soon abandoned for hardier newly arriving breeds. Poultry author W.B. Tegetmeier purchased some La Flèche chickens and imported them into England in 1882.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/LaFleche/LaFleSPPA.html

Urch got his from Henry K. Miller. One of the great Stringmen of all time. He lived in Penn.

La Flèche chickens were recognized by the American Poultry Association as a standard breed in 1874. The breed comes in only one variety – Black. Males weigh 8 lbs and females weigh 6.5 lbs.

Status: See CPL
Click Here for Breed Clubs and Association Contacts

I wonder if Urch has these. I am sure someone has them out there. You should see them at the Ohio National or Luscasiville.\

Forrest called me one day about 20 years ago and said you wont believe it but I have some of your Rhode Island Reds out here in Oklahoma. How, he said you sold some to a fellow in Massachusetts who also had my Black Lankshangs. Ya the guy that had the Lawn Grooming business. Ya that's him. What happen to him. He fell in love with a girl moved to Hawaii and left everty thing. I got them back plus the Reds. Forrest showed them and did well with them for a few years then they went up in smoke.

You would think someone would have bought them and kept them. No they problem by crossed them onto some buddy Else's strain and ruined ever thing like most people do.

He was a great salesman, I think he owned a SafeWay Grocery Store there and loved horse's. I am sure the Langshang lady can tell us more.

He use to come to El Dora do Show in Arkansas and show a lot of birds. I have a friend who I talk to every week about Reds and he use to be one of the show leaders.

I think he had Langshangs way back in the 1950s or earlyer because Schilling took a picture of one of his males.

Remember Side Pockets. One great rooster. or like some of the Lady's call them a nice Roo.

I am trying to brush up on my back yard mutt terminology so when I start to sell my Cherry Egger line I can make a fortune. They love that kind of stuff but would not give five bucks for a big black Langshang rooster like side pockets.

I am bad, Some one put a pin in my voodoo doll to get me out of this funk.

 

[fowlman01]

I believe Terry Britt had them as well.

Walt