The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club > Exhibiting & Promoting

Feathers between toes

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mustangsaguaro:
Have any of you seen one or two single feathers (they are very tiny) in between toes before? Specifically on Lavenders? I have one 5 mo old. It was the male that I thought was a female noticed the other day on both his feet he has a small hint of feathers between one of his toes. The 2 pullets same age don\'t have this. Just curious if others have seen this.

Am assuming should not use this bird for breeding purposes as this could show up in future generations. Should he be culled? Hoping some of the youngsters (currently a month old) turn out to be boys as trying to build up a breeding stock for next year.

Thanks

Mike Gilbert:
What you are seeing is commonly referred to as \"stubs,\" and they are a show disqualification for clean legged breeds like Ameraucanas.  This is a very common condition.   Experienced exhibitors often check their show birds and remove stubs just prior to showing them.  Whether or not you should retain such a bird for breeding depends on your other options.   I don\'t think it is too big of a deal, but you should never mate two birds that have the same fault.

HarryS:
The ideal situation for this bird would be the soup pot, the next best place would be for someone\'s backyard pet stock.  If at all possible get a good black male which seem to be somewhat easier than to get a good lavender male.  
As someone has said use what you have available and if that is all you have then use him.  You will be able to cull a good portion of the chicks at day old because a percentage will hatch with visual stubs and can be culled immediately.  Please do not put them back into the gene pool and sell them to someone for their backyard pet stock.  

Guest:

--- Quote from: Mike Gilbert ---What you are seeing is commonly referred to as \"stubs,\" and they are a show disqualification for clean legged breeds like Ameraucanas.  This is a very common condition.   Experienced exhibitors often check their show birds and remove stubs just prior to showing them.  Whether or not you should retain such a bird for breeding depends on your other options.   I don\'t think it is too big of a deal, but you should never mate two birds that have the same fault.
--- End quote ---

Which is known as faking, and also a disqualification if the crooked exhibitor is caught.

Mike Gilbert:
Steve, I will have to respectfully disagree.   Judges themselves do the same thing,  as does likely every other person with much experience showing poultry.  It is no more faking than washing dirt off a dirty bird, trimming an upper mandible, clipping toenails, brightening up the comb and shanks with your own \"homemade recipe,\" or removing a tattered feather.  It\'s all part of show conditioning and preparation.  But if it bothers your conscience, by all means don\'t do it.

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