Is anyone sex linking campines?

[ChickensAreSweet]

Campines are such cheerful talkative BOUNCY guys!!!!!!

I love my Golden Campines.

 

[foxflower]

They are fun, aren't they? Everybody should have a campine.

 

[KyBlue]

Are the Sandhill Campines pretty typical of other hatchery Campines or are they a little better quality? How flighty are they?

 

[foxflower]

I guess it's fair to say that campines are flightly, although I think perhaps bold and precocious capture their nature better. When they were just a few days old I was washing the window of their brooder. One little silver campine came up and grabbed the other end of the paper towel and tugged on it energetically. They tend to be the first to try something new and will end up showing the others how to work a new waterer or try a new food. They are not skittish, but definitely don't want to snuggle either. They are much like most other white egg layers. If handled a lot they can be tame, but they are not "calm" like an orpington or silkie. They are active and curious.

Prior to this year we only had one other campine roo (several years ago), and the was from McMurray. So I don't think I could really compare between hatcheries. If Campine eggs from a breeder had been available to me I would have gone that way. Here's what I can tell without having the official breed standard. The one gold male has sickle saddle feathers, which may be a disqualification, but not sure about the continental versus US standards. I've read somewhere that they're different regarding saddle feathers. Also, one gold male may carry his tail too high (not the one in the pic, though). The eye color is nice and dark on all the birds. I think barring needs to be cleaned up, but they are only 12 weeks old, so we'll see. There is ticking in the head and hackle feathers especially on the females, but that is supposed to molt out and is not considered a problem. So, here are some pics, and you can decide for yourself.

 

[KyBlue]

Thanks foxflower,

The reason I ask about the quality is that I also raise Campines and have thought about ordering from Sandhill on a couple of occasions. I have a small flock that I got from breeders and also raised a few hatchery birds this summer. I am always on the lookout for quality Campines to improve my flock. I have culled most of the hatchery birds due to the Goldens being too dark and all the Silver roos because they were not hen feathered. The SOP states that "Campines possess a modified form of hen feathering, very long curved saddle feathers, side hangers or long profuse pointed saddle feathers constitute disqualifications."

One of the reasons that I like Campines so much is their active and independent nature. However, I have noticed that my hatchery birds have tended to be a little more flighty. In my experience raising Campines, I do find that most settle down somewhat when they mature and start laying.

Here's a pic of one of my roos...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Beautiful birds everyone!!!

 

[foxflower]

KyBlue, thank you for the info on the hen feathering. I thought that was a disqualification. It makes my decision easier. I'll keep the gold male without the pointed saddle feathers. Interesting that you've had the same trouble with the silvers. I have 4 silver roos and all are hen feathered. It is only that one golden roo that has the problem...and he may be the one carrying the tail too high. I have to get a SOP I guess, just so expensive! So, if you want to risk it on Sand Hill silvers you may get an okay bird. I'm thinking the silvers barring looks better than the gold, at least on the males. What is the gold color supposed to look like? I don't have any information indicating how deep the color is supposed to be. I'd be interested in contact information on breeders who've improved the breed. Maybe I could get some eggs to hatch. Your roo looks good. I generally prefer the golden color, but the silvers are growing on me.

 

[foxflower]

Quote:
Thanks

So many beautiful breeds.....so addicting. 111 chickens and counting.....