Special Announcement!!! For everyone who has been waiting with me for a response from the UK regarding #1 what the color cream means, and #2 their feelings regarding shafting, I have an update. I wrote two highly esteemed Judges from the PCGB, and one was kind enough to write back to me after conferring with 3 other Judges as well as other experts in auto sexing breeds.
Their response:
"1. The colour cream in the hackles det (perhaps he meant def as in definitely) is not white or silver but we do agree on the description by Michael Pease of an extremely diluted gold. This is where it appears to me like a very pale butter.
2. Shafting in the feathers is more visible in the female feathers especially in the back and shoulders."
So there we have it, cream = very pale butter. This will not change the SOP, but does give us a clearer picture to shoot for when imagining the final bird.
Shafting will definitely be added to the female "Back" section, and a more moderate version added to the "Breast". As with everything, these are up for discussion, but I think most will be pleased...at least a "smudge".
I will try to release Draft 2 by the end of the week, to include intro (minus the history) and shafting additions.
I'm happy that you were able to contact some British judges. Is that where you ran across Mike Hatcher? He is a longtime friend, who on occasion visits our shows. He would be a great judge to help with the CL qualifying meet if he happens to be in the States at that time. I hope you will be able to consult with them on other issues as you go along. Nothing like having a judge(s) from the country of origin available for reference.
I apologize for still not grading my test. I am extremely busy at the moment with a number of things. I'm leaving tomorrow morning with 40 birds to show at the Cal National Show in Ventura CA. That is about a 6-7 hour drive for me and getting 40 birds ready has taken more time than I had thought it would take.
Walt
I will get to it next week sometime.
