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It's not as simple as just a certain number of birds.
I'm involved with the current efforts to get Marans APA recognized. What we are required to do is to show a minimum number of birds in a minumum number of shows each year for two years, during which time a minimum number of exhibitors must be involved in those shows. The minimums are two birds in EACH class (2 pullets, 2 cockerels, 2 hens, 2 roos) for EACH variety (black copper, cuckoo, wheaten, and so on) for EACH show. A minimum of 2 shows per year must meet these requirements, for a minimum of 2 years, and a minimum of 5 exhibitors must be involved in these shows.
THEN -- if those minimum requirements are met -- then we are required to have a "qualifying" show. in the qualifying show we must have a minimum of 50 birds for EACH variety, and they must meet the proposed standard for that variety. I forget the breakdown of the different classes within that 50 birds. We must ALSO provide documents from at least 5 breeders who state that they have personally bred THAT variety for a minimum of 5 years before the qualifying meet.
IOW, it's a pretty involved process. The Marans Chicken Club USA is taking it one variety at a time. We have had initial shows for black coppers and wheatens. I *think* we're having the big qualifying meet for black coppers this fall, then wheatens next year. We'll be working on cuckoos next, then other varieties. It's quite a project!
