Messages

16

Breeding / Re: Splash wheaten coloring

« on: February 05, 2017, 08:18:19 PM »

My three Bantam cockerels have very little to no red ticking in the breast and definitely no shafting. My large fowl cockerel is another matter. Ive got to make some good pictures of his breast area to see just what's going on with him.

My bantam blue wheaten hens have extremely clean bodies with almost no ticking while my large fowl blue wheaten hens do continue show some minor ticking although I have selected away from it for several years. So I am about to come to the conclusion that this ticking "may" express different in the bantams than it does in the large fowl. The blue wheaten males in both the bantams and large fowl have very nice lacing for the color.  Just food for thought as we go along on this project.

17

Breeding / Re: Documenting project colors for Qualifying meets

« on: February 05, 2017, 08:06:53 PM »

Working with the following:

Large Fowl Splash Wheaten  2016
Bantam Splash Wheaten   2016
Black Mottled Large Fowl    2015
Self Blue Bantams  2016
Chocolate Bantams 2016

My numbers are so limited that I do not have anything available at this time.

18

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2-4-17 Low Country Classic, Blackville SC - Meet Report

« on: February 05, 2017, 07:58:04 PM »

Congratulations Girl!!!!  Good job....

19

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Requesting Meets

« on: January 05, 2017, 09:29:49 PM »

I understand the reason behind the "rule"....BUT even tho you may "reasonably" expect 3 or more  breeders to show Ameraucanas there is no guarantee its going to happen. 

You may have a meet (show) that last year had 5 or 6 exhibitors and this year there's only 1....but next year there may be 4 or 5.  Things happen, often at the last minute, that prevent someone from making a show that they had full intentions of doing.  I have found myself in that position more than once over the past year or two.

What I am trying to say I guess is that I don't think there should be a restriction on  placing meets  understanding that there may only be 1 or 2 exhibitors in areas like Temple's that are short on breeders that show. Sparse areas have the same right to earn points as areas that have more breeders showing. The shows are a showcase for our breed but it takes time, effort, and money to go to shows so there should be some reward for the effort of the exhibitor. Points are those rewards.

Another point... when you request a meet for a "New" show you really don't have any idea how it will work out.  The first year may have that single exhibitor, or maybe 2, but the next year just might be a whole lot better. In order to expand interest in the breed new shows with meets are needed. The first thing I look for  are the approved meets. That is what draws my interest. That is where I am going.

So, Yes, Temple I personally think you should request any meet for your area that will help the breeders in your area even tho there may not be that many active breeders showing. Having approved meets might encourage more breeders to show.

Just my personal opinion for what it's worth !

Peggy


 

20

Exhibiting & Promoting / Blurbonnet Classic

« on: January 03, 2017, 08:40:24 PM »

The Bluebonnet Classic show in College Station is this Saturday...Jan 7th.   This is one of my favorite shows in Texas along with Ft Worth which is coming up the following week end of Jan 14th. Its such a good group that puts it on. Its the only show that doesn't require me to drive 4 to 5 hours one way ! These two shows back to back make for a busy two weeks but they are a lot of fun to do and I do enjoy them.

I only entered Ameraucana Bantams this time.....43 of them....Wheaten,  Blue Wheaten, Buff, Silver and Splash Wheaten.  I forgot the Self Blue when I mailed my entries so they get to stay at home. I did enter three trios of Large Fowl in addition to the bantams for Ft Worth. Everybody looks pretty good right now...just hope they all stay that way !!

It is supposed to get pretty cold this weekend even with sunshine forecast. The facility is a good one but it can still get rather cool in there on occasion so I am making sure my big coat is in the truck.  Looking forward to seeing everyone. Safe travels for everyone.


Peggy

21

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: South Central district meet Shawnee, Oklahoma 12-10 & 11, 2016

« on: December 17, 2016, 10:26:24 PM »

Thank you Paul for the report and a big CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners.  I would also like to say  thank you to all the exhibitors that were able to make it to Shawnee this year.  I just hated to miss it....the show is a big favorite of mine...but it couldn't be helped this year.

It so great to see the successful pre-qualifying meet for the Self Blues.  I have no doubt that acceptance with the APA is in the not too distant future. Hopefully the Bantams will follow suit. It will take some work but I am sure that the members of the ABC are up to it.

Thanks Max,  for showing the Bantams.  Get ready for the Bantam numbers to go up at the Blue Bonnet Classic.  I was looking a what I may enter for Bryan in Bantams. Right now looks something like about 40/45 birds plus whatever large fowl I decide to take....

Everybody try to keep yourselves and the birds warm. Stay safe.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone and may each of you have a very Blessed New Year.

Peggy Taylor
Rocky Springs Farm

22

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Dixie Classic, 12/3-4/2016, Knoxville, TN

« on: December 09, 2016, 09:22:38 PM »

Its been so hectic around here that I haven't had time to stop and visit the forum in several days....

Congratulations Susan and Maggie on your wins as well as others that had winners in the show....I really did enjoy the trip to Knoxville with Ernie's mom and aunt a couple of years ago. Would sure like to go back in the next year or so.  If I can get Ernie retired....he has a real job ...we hope to be able to travel a bit more than we can now.

Susan.....glad to hear the Wheaten boy is doing well....If he sires as well as his pop does you will get some nice birds from him-

Have a blessed day everyone.....

Peggy

23

Exhibiting & Promoting / Forsyth Fanciers Show

« on: November 30, 2016, 06:12:07 PM »

I have finally caught up enough to file a report on the great trip and visit Ernie and I had with the group in North Carolina.  We left Texas on Thursday afternoon and got back to Texas mid afternoon on Sunday.

We made the trip out to pick up birds that Don had located for us.  We were able to pick up a nice set of Buff Ameraucana Bantams.  Jeffery and Sherry were kind enough to pick up a neat pair of Silver pullets and a very nice trio of Wheatens for me from Mr. Robert Burns and bring them to the show. I also got two pair of really nice  Wheatens from Maggie Miers....All bantams. Maggie told me she was going to all Silvers.  She had some really nice ones at the show. I hope to get some eggs from her next spring. Ernie also came home with a very nice LF Buff Cockerel from Mr.John Marshall. After we had all those sorted and loaded Ernie told me we could put up the console and put one more crate there !!!! I declined.  Although if I could have gotten the lady with the Bantam Salmon Faverolles to  have sold me a pair we would have had to use it !! Ernie carried Don and Jeffery some Black Bantam and White Bantam cockerels.  I took Susan a nice LF Wheaten cockerel.

It was so nice to meet and visit with folks we mostly talk with online. Ms Dot (Ernie's mom) sent Jeffrey one of her pound cakes which we all helped him eat.  We visited with Don Cash, Jeffrey and Sherry Vance, Susan Mouw (so good to finally meet her in person), Don Hartman, Mr. John Marshall, Maggie Miers (we had a lot of ventures in common...goats, horses, crafts.  She does the most gorgeous gourd baskets with pine straw borders). We enjoyed the show.  Susan and Maggie both did well with their birds. I'm sure the results will be posted before long. We had to leave before the final results but kept in touch with Don to see how things went. The group had a very nice show with some quality birds being shown.

I can not thank Don Cash enough for his time and effort in locating birds for us and co-ordinating getting them to the show for us to pick up,  He truly did a great job and I so appreciate his kindness and willingness to help us. We just have so many wonderful members in this club.   

Anyway, it was a treat. God Bless.

Peggy

24

2016 ABC Nationals, Caldwell ID / Re: 2016 National Silent Auction - Final Results

« on: November 20, 2016, 05:49:06 PM »

It was so great to see a good result for the silent auction;  I was so pleased to be able to participate both as a bidder (got what I wanted ) and being able to donate as well.  Like Ernie said, it gave all of us that couldn't be there a chance to help in some way. Hope we do this every year....I can always find something I just have to bid on and will be more than willing to donate as well.  Thanks Susan, Jean and everybody that worked so hard to get this done.  We appreciate you.

Peggy

25

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Gulf South Fall Classic, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

« on: November 13, 2016, 09:27:13 PM »

It was great to get back into the swing of showing again.  I missed it last year.  As Ernie said the Gulf South is a neat show to do in a good facility with great people putting it on.  I was very glad to be able to go back this year. 

We had an outstanding representation of Ameraucanas shown both in large fowl and bantams.  One of our judges was one of the National Show judges this year. I can't recall his name right at this minute but I believe he was from California. He was very complimentary of the birds shown.

There were Black,White, Blue, Buff, Wheaten, and Blue Wheaten shown in the large fowl.  Black, White, Blue, Splash, Self Blue, Silver, Wheaten, Blue Wheaten and Chocolate in the bantams.

I will be going to Haynesville, La  this next week end and am looking forward to it.  I've done this show several times and always enjoy it.  Again, this is another good show put on by some great folks.

It was a long drive in from Baton Rouge this morning so I am cutting this short and making an early night of it.

26

2016 ABC Nationals, Caldwell ID / Re: 2016 Ameraucana Breeders Club National Meet

« on: November 04, 2016, 11:45:53 PM »

Oh I would love to be there !!  Wishing everyone a great day and a wonderful show. Our prayers are with everyone for a safe journey home. 

27

2016 ABC Nationals, Caldwell ID / Re: 2016 ABC National Meet - Silent Auction

« on: October 24, 2016, 03:18:47 PM »

Susan:

Please put Rocky Springs Farm down to donate a dozen Large Fowl Wheaten hatching eggs. Can't make the show but do want to support the club in whatever way I can. Thanks.

Peggy Taylor

28

Breeding / Re: A Couple of Breeding Questions

« on: October 16, 2016, 12:30:06 AM »

Thanks Don for taking the time to respond to my questions.  I do appreciate it.  I've been doing a lot of reading on how the OEG breeders bred the Silver Duckwing Pattern.  I think a double mating system with the Silvers may be necessary to get them to where I would like them for myself. However that idea kinda gets shot in the foot due to the apparent lack of breeding stock available from which to choose breeders. I've been looking a long time to get the pair I just found but I very badly need another trio.

I wouldn't cross outside the breed to work on wing carriage.  I think it can be improved by careful selection and breeding with what I have.. And your right, it will take some time. I haven't seen a male yet that truly meets either definition of the standard but I do have a chocolate cockerel that might come close.  I'm going to use him with a couple of the tightest wing Black females I can locate and see where that gets me.

Maybe I will have a chance to discuss that Silver/Black thing with Jean. 

Oh well...this isn't the first road block I've run into and I'm sure it won't be the last.....

29

Breeding / A Couple of Breeding Questions

« on: October 13, 2016, 09:36:33 AM »

I have two questions that I would like some input on....

1.If a Silver cockerel (Bantam in this case) is crossed to Black females what are you looking at in getting the resulting chicks back to the Silver standard and what direction should this take ? Breed the chicks back to the Silver sire ?  How many generations ? I've never cross bred outside the color variety but know others have. So your experience would be appreciated.

2. The one major problem I see in the Bantam Ameraucanas...especially the males...is their wing carriage is too low.  The Bantam SOP is clear about what it should be and from that we have lots of work to do. I have decided to make a real effort to correct this if possible in my flock. I see pictures from the UK and elsewhere that show birds with excellent correct wing carriage so I know its possible.

In looking at this situation I am trying to formulate a breeding plan to work on this particular problem. I would look for a cock that was right if there were enough Bantams available to produce such a bird.  But even finding bantams is like looking for a needle in the haystack let alone finding one that truly meets the SOP in this area. Plus if I had such a bird I certainly would not let him go!

So, I will try to follow the plan laid out by Ralph Sturgeon in his book "Start From Where You Are With What You Have".  My preliminary thought is this....I will take my very best male in type and cross him with the two or three females that have the tightest wing carriage. (I have a cockerel that is better than the others in this area and one or two hens that are much better than the other hens with their wing carriage)..Select out of those chicks for the tightest wing carriage and repeat the process.  Goal being to come up with a cockerel that has the "correct" wing carriage....hopefully some hens as well. Somewhere about the third generation I should see some results if the process is following the right direction....

So, I would very much appreciate thoughts on the breeding direction that might be necessary (in either question 1 or 2).  Thanks.

Peggy Taylor

30

Breeding / Re: The "Legacy" Varieties

« on: April 01, 2016, 11:26:07 PM »

There's always a new (or old) challenge waiting for us !!!  I have some hens that have more black speckles in the hackle than I want but their type is so good that I am using a really clear hackle male with the hopes of raising some good clean hackle pullets that can replace the hens.....one step at a time!