The Old Folks Home

[ronott1]

I have seen those instructions before..... Oooh that starter is related to one of the first ever.....

deb

Yes!

It is very good starter.

They bread is very tasty too.

 

[perchie.girl]

Cyn, I spent many years in the horse show ring, and believe me, I know what you mean. Poultry showing is different. That is one of the things I love about poultry shows.

First, the tags on the pens only list the breed, age, gender of the bird and an exhibitor number. The numbers are assigned as by-mail entries come in. The judges are APA/ABA certified and different judges are assigned to different classes. The exhibitors and spectators are not allowed on the aisle that the judge and his/her clerk are working but if you are quiet and do not disturb the judge, you can lurk an aisle away and listen carefully to his comments on your birds.

There is great pride and little reward for having consistent winners, that takes lots of work on your part, but very little money. It's not like the people with the most money have the advantage, anyone can breed up good birds and on no more money than you spend on your own birds. The most knoledgable and experienced breeders are respected by the other breeders and are almost always willing to offer free advice, tips, guidance, and even birds. I saw breeders selling their show birds to other breeders because the bird had strengths that the other breeder needed in his own birds. I say several "old timers" give some of their best birds to youth exhibitors and I was even given a pair of grey call ducks because I was admiring them and said that my son would love them. She just said 'here, take them!'

I have been urged to bring birds to show so that I can get some advice and guidance from some experts. I have had lots of support and encouragement from judges, breeders, and other beginners. It is a community that supports and enjoys the company of it's members, regardless of their current level of knowlege or experience, and with no regard for their income level. There are some real characters that are known and respected by everyone. I was asking a question of a newly acquainted breeder and he directed me to another breeder who was well versed in that topic. He said you can't miss him, he is about 5"7", round, and will be wearing overall and a plaid flannel shirt. He has a long flowing salt and pepper beard and sometimes wears a felt hat. Hummmmm. Sure enough, I saw him standing talking to a couple of men on one of the aisles and I introduced myself. When I asked my question, he looked confused then laughed. He said, "You are looking for (first name) aren't you?" Evidently, there were two men that matched that description, from different states, with different breeds, and they both knew of the reputation of the other one!!

Remember that in poultry, you show your LINE of birds, not individuals. You should be able to grab any of your flock and bring them and do equally well with that one as with any other you have. Of course, people do pick and choose what they bring, but you don't see the same birds at the shows year after year. You see the best of that year's chicks.

It really is cool. There is usually a night when everybody has a meal together and everyone is welcome and everyone is talking and laughing and having a great time.

excellent over view.... I never knew how it was done.

deb

 

[Wisher1000]

Deb, I will not say that the best bird always wins, however. Judging is subject to the personal preferences of the judges, and of the latest fads, just like other shows. The thing is, people don't seem to mind as much in chicken shows as most others do. Even when the breeders are comparing their own birds, and have decided among themselves which birds are best, yet those are not the winners, there is little complaining. The breeder of the winning bird will shake hands with the one that should have won and congratulate him on having raised an impressive bird, and admitting that it should have placed above his own. I like the respect, manners, and tradition of it all.

Now, there are always the exceptions. No matter what group you are looking at, you will always be able to find rude, grouchy, mean, and just downright crazy people, but there are not many in chicken shows and the ones that are involved are given a politely wide path.

 

[Cynthia12]

Cyn, I spent many years in the horse show ring, and believe me, I know what you mean. Poultry showing is different. That is one of the things I love about poultry shows.

First, the tags on the pens only list the breed, age, gender of the bird and an exhibitor number. The numbers are assigned as by-mail entries come in. The judges are APA/ABA certified and different judges are assigned to different classes. The exhibitors and spectators are not allowed on the aisle that the judge and his/her clerk are working but if you are quiet and do not disturb the judge, you can lurk an aisle away and listen carefully to his comments on your birds.

There is great pride and little reward for having consistent winners, that takes lots of work on your part, but very little money. It's not like the people with the most money have the advantage, anyone can breed up good birds and on no more money than you spend on your own birds. The most knowledgeable and experienced breeders are respected by the other breeders and are almost always willing to offer free advice, tips, guidance, and even birds. I saw breeders selling their show birds to other breeders because the bird had strengths that the other breeder needed in his own birds. I say several "old timers" give some of their best birds to youth exhibitors and I was even given a pair of Grey call ducks because I was admiring them and said that my son would love them. She just said 'here, take them!'

I have been urged to bring birds to show so that I can get some advice and guidance from some experts. I have had lots of support and encouragement from judges, breeders, and other beginners. It is a community that supports and enjoys the company of it's members, regardless of their current level of knowledge or experience, and with no regard for their income level. There are some real characters that are known and respected by everyone. I was asking a question of a newly acquainted breeder and he directed me to another breeder who was well versed in that topic. He said you can't miss him, he is about 5"7", round, and will be wearing overall and a plaid flannel shirt. He has a long flowing salt and pepper beard and sometimes wears a felt hat. Hummmmm. Sure enough, I saw him standing talking to a couple of men on one of the aisles and I introduced myself. When I asked my question, he looked confused then laughed. He said, "You are looking for (first name) aren't you?" Evidently, there were two men that matched that description, from different states, with different breeds, and they both knew of the reputation of the other one!!

Remember that in poultry, you show your LINE of birds, not individuals. You should be able to grab any of your flock and bring them and do equally well with that one as with any other you have. Of course, people do pick and choose what they bring, but you don't see the same birds at the shows year after year. You see the best of that year's chicks.

It really is cool. There is usually a night when everybody has a meal together and everyone is welcome and everyone is talking and laughing and having a great time.

Thanks Wisher, sounds like you have fun at them. I used to show Persian Cats. No chickens as of yet.

 

[Arielle]

Deb, I will not say that the best bird always wins, however. Judging is subject to the personal preferences of the judges, and of the latest fads, just like other shows. The thing is, people don't seem to mind as much in chicken shows as most others do. Even when the breeders are comparing their own birds, and have decided among themselves which birds are best, yet those are not the winners, there is little complaining. The breeder of the winning bird will shake hands with the one that should have won and congratulate him on having raised an impressive bird, and admitting that it should have placed above his own. I like the respect, manners, and tradition of it all.

Now, there are always the exceptions. No matter what group you are looking at, you will always be able to find rude, grouchy, mean, and just downright crazy people, but there are not many in chicken shows and the ones that are involved are given a politely wide path.

Nothing like meeting real people.

I'm looking forward to the BOston SHow and the NOrtheast Congress!! Had a couple BCM hens that were looking good . . . looking good to the raccoon too!! Oh well . . . no showing this year. Looking forward to seeing MR RHodes.

 

[Latestarter]

Dang Wisher, you're making me want to go to a chicken show LOL Not to show my birds, but just to enjoy the company of those others there Sounds like a real blast.

 

[Wisher1000]

Quote:
Nothing like meeting real people.

I'm looking forward to the Boston Show and the Northeast Congress!! Had a couple BCM hens that were looking good . . . looking good to the raccoon too!! Oh well . . . no showing this year. Looking forward to seeing MR Rhodes.

I am meeting him, too. Mr. Rhodes is a perfect example. I was contacted by a BYC member who told me that Mr. Rhodes had a line of Silver Campines that went back to his father in the early 1900's.

I researched some and came up with contact info for him through APA. I called him and he was genuinely happy to "talk chicken" with me! He said that his dad had raised them during that time and had some of the best in the country. Silver Campines were enjoying a popularity during that time that they haven't seen since. Mr. Rhodes said that sadly, his dad's line were lost when he was a teen and that he had only recently started breeding them back up starting with hatchery lines.

He is having trouble with too many cockerels and nearly no pullets hatching. He offered to bring me some of his males to either the Ohio National in November or the Dixie Nationals in Knoxville in December. He apologized that he didn't have any females to give me but that maybe he could send me some in the spring. Mr Rhodes is likely in his 70's or 80's and lives in Massachusetts. I am taking extras of my birds to share with him. No money will be exchanged, no promises made as to quality, and no motive other than to promote the improvement of the breed. My only problem is that if it is a good bird, it is hard for me to turn loose of it, and if it is obviously flawed, I don't want to pass it on.

I will likely give him the #3 and #4 best pullets in my flock. I will be taking the #1 bird to show, the #2 will stay home as insurance, and the next two will go to him. I hope that he can take them and use them to improve the available Silver Campines. One day, hopefully, their blood will come back to my flock, having been greatly improved in the hands of an old time poultry breeder.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:

Nothing like meeting real people.

I'm looking forward to the Boston Show and the Northeast Congress!! Had a couple BCM hens that were looking good . . . looking good to the raccoon too!! Oh well . . . no showing this year. Looking forward to seeing MR Rhodes.

I am meeting him, too. Mr. Rhodes is a perfect example. I was contacted by a BYC member who told me that Mr. Rhodes had a line of Silver Campines that went back to his father in the early 1900's.

I researched some and came up with contact info for him through APA. I called him and he was genuinely happy to "talk chicken" with me! He said that his dad had raised them during that time and had some of the best in the country. Silver Campines were enjoying a popularity during that time that they haven't seen since. Mr. Rhodes said that sadly, his dad's line were lost when he was a teen and that he had only recently started breeding them back up starting with hatchery lines.

He is having trouble with too many cockerels and nearly no pullets hatching. He offered to bring me some of his males to either the Ohio National in November or the Dixie Nationals in Knoxville in December. He apologized that he didn't have any females to give me but that maybe he could send me some in the spring. Mr Rhodes is likely in his 70's or 80's and lives in Massachusetts. I am taking extras of my birds to share with him. No money will be exchanged, no promises made as to quality, and no motive other than to promote the improvement of the breed. My only problem is that if it is a good bird, it is hard for me to turn loose of it, and if it is obviously flawed, I don't want to pass it on.

I will likely give him the #3 and #4 best pullets in my flock. I will be taking the #1 bird to show, the #2 will stay home as insurance, and the next two will go to him. I hope that he can take them and use them to improve the available Silver Campines. One day, hopefully, their blood will come back to my flock, having been greatly improved in the hands of an old time poultry breeder.

Talking with MR RHodes is like talking to a horse breeder in Europe-- facts and opinions, but no ego. A delight to talk with. A real loss that his fathers line ended. Makes me sad. Reminds me of my great uncle that bread racing pigeons for 70 ish years. He tended them every day til his last days. A gifted breeder who often won his races and that covered his feeding costs. ANd there were no sick birds-- anything with a sniffle was removed asap from the flock. Hence no need for any meds.

I am chuckling that I literally live 15 minutes from Mr Rhodes, but only visit him at the shows. Hoping to change that as I now can talk buckeyes with him. I would like to see his campines, as I'm sure I would like them . . . and I worry that he will pass away before I learn all I need to raise good buckeyes. As you said he is likely in his 80's.

Give him the best that you can even if it is #3 or #4. .HE will understand. He will then decide how best to use the bird in his flock.

Wisher if I might suggest-- keep #1 home, and take #2. I know a man that had a very good stallion and the horse was invited to be on the Olympic team and the owner declined. THank goodness. THat stallion went on to produce the most number of approved sons and grandsons for the DUtch. . and again the opportunity came that another of his stallions was invited to join the Olympic team and this horse did well enough at the competition, but died suddenly just a few weeks later. Leaving only 1 approved son to carry on. A huge loss to the jumper breeding world. Hence my recommendation to keep #1 at home. Just my opinion, obviously, it is your decision.

 

[The Yakima Kid]

differences come also because of BioMechanics..... Some horses have freer shoulders and springier fetlocks...

there are Five natural gaits
Walk Which is four beat
Trot Which is two beat... diagonal landing at the same time
Canter Which is three beat. I cant describe it
Gallop Which is again a four beat gait.
Backing up Which is like the trot only in revers... diagonal feet landing at the same time

Then there are what some call artificial gaits. The horse has a tendency toward it and it is incouraged to perform it. Some are better than others. This article has several videos on how these gaits work.

http://myhorseuniversity.com/resources/eTips/April_2011/Didyouknow

Since I am a Dressage person at heart I prefer the standard Five gaits. But thats me.

deb

Uhyup. And there at least two separate genes associated with the ability to do gaits beyond the natural gaits.

Some horses pace naturally without any training whatsoever. It is a real joy to see a little foal take off sidewheeling at speed.

Since I used to be a working cow horse person and then a trail and long distance kind of riding person, I like having an easy gait in addition to, or in lieu of the natural gaits.

In the old days we considered there to be three natural gaits - walk, trot, and canter/gallop/lope as a gallop is an extended canter.

Then again, I used to train my horses to let me carry young pigs across the saddle while I was riding. Try it sometime. It can be very exciting.

Homozygotes for DMRT3 can pace; heterozygotes are apparently able to trot faster without "breaking" (transitioning to a gallop.) The gene apparently acts on the spinal cord. Heterozygotes can generally rack or amble, but cannot pace.

In addition to this genetic mutation, cleverly nicknamed the Gait Keeper gene, there are apparently a couple of other mutations and genes that may contributed to gaitedness.

 

[LindaB220]

I have been Stepped on, Bit, Kicked, Fallen down with, Dragged, Tossed through a fence, nose bloodied, and Trampled Twice.... once by foot and once having a carriage pulled over the top of me. and I have been tossed off a good two hundred times..... Half of which my first year. (that was a time when helmets were only for the show arena too)

Worse one is getting Bit.... Its like having someone fasten vice grips on your skin and yanking.

it comes with the territory but also can be diminished with good training for both horse and rider.

deb

You love pain, right?