Opinions will vary on this, but my impression is that the solid colors are in the best shape and have made the most progress. Black large fowl seem to win the national every year. This year\'s national had the deepest class of black bantams that I can remember. Forgive me for saying this, but I believe a more experienced judge might have placed the black bantams differently. The whites were also good, but not that many were shown this year for some reason. Jerry DeSmidt has been showing some exceptional wheatens and blue wheatens. He had best bantam two years ago in Columbus with a blue wheaten pullet, and had reserve bantam this year with a wheaten cock bird. Which varieties need the most work? That\'s pretty easy. The silver and brown red bantams and large fowl. They are much more difficult because of the intrinsic nature of the color patterns. Jerry showed an exceptionally well patterned blue bantam cockerel this year. There was a young pullet in the large fowl class with great lacing too, not sure but I think it was Tom Kernans? I believe the bantams in general are more advanced than most varieties of the large fowl, but I\'m probably prejudiced. There seems to be a tendency for some judges to pick the heavier looking, fluffier birds. Feathering should be very much like that of a Plymouth Rock, not like the soft feather breeds. The Ameraucana should be medium in every aspect of the breed. That includes muffs and beards; bigger is not necessarily better. Stay away from extremes and you will find yourself on the right track to breeding proper Ameraucanas.
