Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[capayvalleychick]

The APA does not automatically put birds in the SOP. It is a lot of work.

What about a variety that was once in the APA Standard and was dropped (due to extinction)... Would the process to get it back in the Standard take as long, since there is already a written description?

 

[Wynette]

They will be looking at the white Marans next weekend at Shawnee OK. A couple weeks ago the BBR Sumatra had a qualifying meet and failed, so they will have to go back to the drawing board. Each color of the Marans has had to go back and try again later. Lots of people think these breeds are ready to be included, but most don't pass the test. When you get 50+ together in a meet and see how inconsistent they really are, it is an eye opener.

Walt

That's what happened with the Marans Cuckoo qualifier. It happens, and I do sometimes think we may be pushing too quickly on the new Marans varieties, but I've got no say in the process. I simply participate when/if I have that variety and they want to see where we are before we request a qualifier. Seems a few shows beforehand, they ask for as many folks who are breeding that variety as possible to bring what they have so we can have a look to determine if we think they're consistent enough.

 

[3riverschick]

R.I.P "Senior"

Got a phone call from Walt Boese last night. Senior, Walt's stunning Light Sussex cock died a couple of nights ago. Senior was a prepotent stud cock. A three time APA Grand Champion from a pure English heritage which was imported years ago thru Canada. He was the sire of all three of my foundation flock birds. I have one of his daughters, 3 grandsons and 6 granddaughters here. Will be sending descendants to Walt next year. It's a sad day for Light Sussex when a bird this good passes.
With a heavy heart,
Karen

 

[fowlman01]

What about a variety that was once in the APA Standard and was dropped (due to extinction)... Would the process to get it back in the Standard take as long, since there is already a written description?

If you are talking about the Orloff, the bird that was in there is not the bird they want to get in now....but don't want to do the work on. The original Black Russian had a different comb, body etc. Everyone has a "story" about these birds and what happened. Most of the time it is not only not true, but usually has no basis in fact. it is internet truth...and we all know what internet truth is.

Walt

 

[cgmccary]

That's what happened with the Marans Cuckoo qualifier. It happens, and I do sometimes think we may be pushing too quickly on the new Marans varieties, but I've got no say in the process. I simply participate when/if I have that variety and they want to see where we are before we request a qualifier. Seems a few shows beforehand, they ask for as many folks who are breeding that variety as possible to bring what they have so we can have a look to determine if we think they're consistent enough.

I congratulate you Marans breeders for all the hard work that goes into getting the new varieties through. I see a lot of Marans at the shows I attend but don't know much about what I am looking for. I hope to see them start winning the Class and more. What wins in the Continental Class the most, the Polish?

 

[capayvalleychick]

If you are talking about the Orloff, the bird that was in there is not the bird they want to get in now....but don't want to do the work on. The original Black Russian had a different comb, body etc. Everyone has a "story" about these birds and what happened. Most of the time it is not only not true, but usually has no basis in fact. it is internet truth...and we all know what internet truth is.

Walt

No. I know a farmer who has been working for years on recreating the Buff turkey to the original APA Standard. He's getting about 80% that meet type at this point and hopes to have them more consistent by next year.

I was curious about whether a variety like that would take as long to get readmitted as a brand new variety or breed.

 

[Wynette]

I congratulate you Marans breeders for all the hard work that goes into getting the new varieties through. I see a lot of Marans at the shows I attend but don't know much about what I am looking for. I hope to see them start winning the Class and more. What wins in the Continental Class the most, the Polish?

Frankly, I've only seen a Polish take the class once, but I really don't do a ton of shows, either. Favorelles, Welsummer...and the Marans have taken their share, as well (moreso on the west coast and in the south, although this past October, a Marans K took reserve continental at an APA show in Michigan). They're getting out there!

 

[Wynette]

No. I know a farmer who has been working for years on recreating the Buff turkey to the original APA Standard. He's getting about 80% that meet type at this point and hopes to have them more consistent by next year.

I was curious about whether a variety like that would take as long to get readmitted as a brand new variety or breed.

This is interesting to me as well - I think this is the same situation as the Marans in bantam version (I could be wrong, though - I'm not a bantam person).

 

[bnjrob]

This is interesting to me as well - I think this is the same situation as the Marans in bantam version (I could be wrong, though - I'm not a bantam person).

I think that it would depend on the reason that the bird was removed from the SOP to start with.

In the instance of Javas, there were multiple white birds up for selection at the time. The White Java did manage to make the cut but was removed later from the SOP. In addition to issues of consistent leg coloring (willow vs yellow), they didn't feel like there was enough of a type differentiation between White Javas and other white birds like Rocks. Since the popularity of Javas of all colors was waning anyway, it seems that no one really put up much of a fight to keep the White Java in the SOP.

There are people that would like the White Java to be readmitted, but even if the leg color could get more stabilized, is there even enough of a type difference between white birds to warrant the readmission? Personally I'd love to get it readmitted just because I love Javas, but for me, the historical value is more important than official recognition by the APA.

It would be helpful if the APA offered more historical resources, perhaps historical meeting minutes and notes, discussing why breeds were not admitted or why they were removed. And make it easy to find, not make people go through hundreds of antique books trying to find the answers as to the disposition of a breed. That kind of information would be helpful for breeders to have a full grasp of the situation, so they can make a better decision about whether they are truly interested in breeding something that has little to no chance of getting into/readmitted to the SOP. A true lover of a breed will breed it for their own joy anyway, but they should have a better idea of what it takes if they hope to get their breed admitted/readmitted.

 

[Wynette]

I get where you're coming from, bnjrob - I think that's where the breed clubs come in; they're often a "go between" if you will and typically they do know the history of these things. However, I cannot speak to all breed clubs, perhaps the Java breed doesn't have one?