The Million Dollar Blue Rock Question

[BlackHackle]

Hey, I was viewing the rock standards in my American Standard of Perfection 44 Edition and saw that Blue Rocks (and all blue poultry for that matter) are supposed to be black laced. I've seen non-black laced blue chickens win show champions. On top of that, I have NEVER seen any Blue bird that had Black lacing besides the Blue Andalusians. Why on earth is this in the standard if no blue birds have it besides Andies?

I am looking for pretty accurate and experienced answers

 

[sylviethecochin]

I don't show, but I read genetics forums for fun.

I've seen the chicken "show champions" at our local fair. The competition was, shall we say, not steep.

And then you have the judges who have no idea what they're doing. My county fair will hire two judges--one small animal and one large animal--for all of the livestock. One year when I was in 4H, the judge, who was experienced in pigs and cattle, but nothing else, placed the market goats in the order in which they came into the ring. Incredibly frustrating, especially for my sister, who had my whether's identical twin brother. She placed dead last. I placed second.

Andalusians have the best lacing, but if you go looking, you'll see a lot of blue birds with lacing. Gypsy Hen farms has a picture of one of the nicest blue Ameraucanas I've ever seen.

I myself have a decently well-laced blue silkie cross.

According to something I read, the thing you want is Pg/Pg (pencilled) and then Co/Co (columbian) to restrict the pencilling to the outer edge of the feather.

 

[BlackHackle]

I don't show, but I read genetics forums for fun.

I've seen the chicken "show champions" at our local fair. The competition was, shall we say, not steep.

And then you have the judges who have no idea what they're doing. My county fair will hire two judges--one small animal and one large animal--for all of the livestock. One year when I was in 4H, the judge, who was experienced in pigs and cattle, but nothing else, placed the market goats in the order in which they came into the ring. Incredibly frustrating, especially for my sister, who had my whether's identical twin brother. She placed dead last. I placed second.

Andalusians have the best lacing, but if you go looking, you'll see a lot of blue birds with lacing. Gypsy Hen farms has a picture of one of the nicest blue Ameraucanas I've ever seen.

I myself have a decently well-laced blue silkie cross.

According to something I read, the thing you want is Pg/Pg (pencilled) and then Co/Co (columbian) to restrict the pencilling to the outer edge of the feather.

Yea, I show at APA sanctioned ones only cause their judges are trained veterans at judging livestock. Yea, there are a few others, but some like Blue Rocks have non at all

 

[sylviethecochin]

Yea, I show at APA sanctioned ones only cause their judges are trained veterans at judging livestock. Yea, there are a few others, but some like Blue Rocks have non at all

In that case, I have read that some judges (even experienced ones) simply ignore the SOP (or aren't aware of bits of it) especially in favor of larger birds with nice bodies. On an Ameraucana thread from a few years back, someone recommended bringing ten birds, one of which was great quality, and the other nine of which had a few faults, so that the really good bird looked better in comparison, and had a better chance at competing at the upper levels. He claimed that a lot of judges are used to a few breeds with which they're very familiar, and then have a general knowledge of the other breeds. He said that this is why the same breeds win, year after year--because the judges are more familiar with them. This makes sense to me.

 

[BlackHackle]

In that case, I have read that some judges (even experienced ones) simply ignore the SOP (or aren't aware of bits of it) especially in favor of larger birds with nice bodies. On an Ameraucana thread from a few years back, someone recommended bringing ten birds, one of which was great quality, and the other nine of which had a few faults, so that the really good bird looked better in comparison, and had a better chance at competing at the upper levels. He claimed that a lot of judges are used to a few breeds with which they're very familiar, and then have a general knowledge of the other breeds. He said that this is why the same breeds win, year after year--because the judges are more familiar with them. This makes sense to me.

Bizarre, are they APA registered judges? At the APA shows in Alberta the same breed barely wins more than once every 10 years

 

[I Love Layers]

LF Blue Cochin bred by Rick Klehr

 

[sylviethecochin]

Bizarre, are they APA registered judges? At the APA shows in Alberta the same breed barely wins more than once every 10 years

Not sure and cannot find the thread. They were definitely members of the APA, though--I remember that one of the posters was Paul Smith.

 

[BlackHackle]

LF Blue Cochin bred by Rick Klehr

View attachment 1480342 View attachment 1480343

Thanks for the photo! That shows the lacing soo well! I just wish I could find a Blue Rock with that quality

Not sure and cannot find the thread. They were definitely members of the APA, though--I remember that one of the posters was Paul Smith.

That is soo confusing, but I do believe you

 

[I Love Layers]

That bird got BV but did not go any farther in the show, which I found saddening

 

[BlackHackle]

That bird got BV but did not go any farther in the show, which I found saddening

That must have been a tough show