Houdans

[DaveK]

Quote:
What the University of Arkansas is doing sounds wonderful. I hope the evaluation of the breeds and varieties is done by knowledgeable poultry people. We've had some nice Houdans in the past. Gord Ridler had had them in the '70s but I don't know if they were long term with him. The family Tilt also had them, some very good ones. Nice temperaments on our Tilt stuff. We also had stock from Barb Piper through hatching eggs. They are/were the stuff of legend because they were being shown and winning well. Barb was a highly skilled breeder but in gearing her birds towards what was being put up (beards, color pattern etc.) I'm going to say that for me they lost a lot of the type that Schilling depicted in the old SOP. Much more compact and a different, more elevated carriage by the time we were trying to get some of the older traits out of that gene pool. There had been some excellent birds in years before hand. In fact the last time we saw a really nice one was a cockerel in a sale pen who we felt very much eclipsed her show entry. Very good size, excellent type which by then was evolving towards something more like Polish and very, very dark with good markings, not white or splashed feathers. Tried to buy him and a Dorking breeder and friend had beaten us to the punch. Actually, another Dorking breeder, Craig Russell, has had and may still have them. They are a very interesting breed. Loved seeing the birds from Denmark.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I think Emo is real cute, I don't know much about Houdans yet, but she does certainly resemble my Polish-Lola

 

[Bentley]

Not to pick at anyone in particular, but that is one of the problems with the current state of the Houdan breed in the US is that most people connect them with the Polish. Therefore, most Houdans in the US greatly resemble Polish in size, shape and body type. The original Houdan was a dual purpose breed bred for both eggs and meat production. Therefore, the Houdan breed is generally supposed to be, on average, about 2 pounds heavier than the Polish breed. Also, in general, they should have shorter legs (shanks) and should not stand so tall and erect as the polish but should have a body shape more parallel to the ground. This says nothing about the various color varieties, just the body shape and size. I am currently working on this breed trying to get it back where it is supposed to be. I enjoy the challenge of working with breeds and varieties that are less common and trying to 'bring them back'.

 

[seminolewind]

Well, I think with a rare breed like that, one needs to add new gene pools most likely by breeding with a similar breed. I'm glad it's Polish. But a Houdan is a breed all it's own, with it's own characteristics.

I am most grateful that breeders widen the gene pool with other breeds (Polish) and keep that wonderful personality and little idiosyncrasies intact. I love the way both breeds are.

 

[galanie]

Just what I (don't) need, a new breed to go nuts over. I love Houdans from what I've seen in this thread! They seem to have the crest I love but a full body, unlike a Polish. Personally I prefer the leaf comb over a Y comb. They look too Polish to me with the Y comb. Ah, someday...

 

[ItsAZOO32]

Hi guys! I have one lovely female Houdan from Nick that I hatched back in August. She's about 5 months old now.. when might I expect some eggs??

 

[Illia]

Couldn't answer that for you but wow! That's some seriously amazing mottling for a Houdan! Is Nick the guy who auctions Houdans with blurry photos of his hens, really nice and meaty looking ones?

If I could, someday I'd hope to, when I get into Houdans I'm definitely getting stock from that person.


PS - It's V comb not Y comb.

I think the biggest thing everyone forgets about Houdans with and thus confuses them with Polish on, thanks to poor breeding and stock these days, is that Houdans were originally BIG and MEATY dual purpose birds with a square body. They were considered of high value for both their fine flesh and great production of large white eggs.

Now, sadly, most are just "ornamental."

My dream is for a crested, colorful, dual purpose bird but right now I'd have to have the okay of the family before getting into them. Right now I'd assume they think our Polish are enough. My love of Houdans is that they're everything in one package (meat, eggs, beauty) plus they are a seriously rare breed in dire need of improvement and reviving.

I prefer the American-Standard V comb to the rather large, unattractive leaf/butterfly comb though. It's much smaller, making one focus more on the bird than its comb, plus the smaller a comb the better chances of going through cold temperatures unharmed. Also, I just don't like huge combs. They're always unsightly looking and detract from the general bird. My opinion though.

 

[ItsAZOO32]

Yep that's him! It's funny... I asked him on his last auction if he wanted me to post pics of her for him She's a pretty bird! Good sized at 5 months already. She is a little sketchy/flighty and isn't friendly with me. Hoping that it will change when she stops laying. He has a lot of cool breeds.. Currently waiting for Appenzeller Spitzhaubens to get back to laying again to get some of those from him

 

[Illia]

Do you have an estimate or actual weight for her? (I understand not everyone has a good scale, thus my saying estimate)

 

[seminolewind]

LOCKDOWN. LOCKDOWN. LOCKDOWN

Got. 8 eggs , 7 into lockdown. Pretty good for shipped
Eggs. Can't wait!!!