Messages

841

News and Information / Re: New Chicken Transport!

« on: October 23, 2017, 03:01:59 PM »

I love your new ride! It will be perfect for transporting birds to shows! I'm so glad that you are okay. I became worried about you on the morning of the show. I knew that something must have happened when you didn't arrive by a certain time. Happy to have been of help. By the way, did you get your wrist checked?

842

Breeding / Re: Earlobe color

« on: September 09, 2017, 11:13:54 PM »

Those skin colored ear lobes have turned red now.

843

Breeding / Re: Earlobe color

« on: August 27, 2017, 09:36:17 PM »

Yeehaw! 

844

Breeding / Re: Earlobe color

« on: August 27, 2017, 11:43:51 AM »

Thanks for your response Susan. I brought in a new black cockerel for my splits this season and yesterday I started sorting through some of them to check for faults while I had some free time. They are from my March hatches. Anyway, I noticed that some of the cockerels have skin colored earlobes and it concerned me. I think they are perhaps just slow to develop....I do not see any enamel white on them at this point.

845

Breeding / Earlobe color

« on: August 27, 2017, 01:47:17 AM »

Every now and then I immerse myself in different breeding topics on the forum. I thought it would be a good idea to hear from the most experienced breeders out there regarding the following topic: Earlobe color

The APA standard calls for earlobes to be "red, except female earlobes which are to be very pale, matching the color of skin."

Under disqualifications, the standard states that "in breeds where a red earlobe is specified, a positive enamel white is a disqualification."

Positive enamel white is defined as "permanent white in the earlobes where red is required. The term is not intended to include paleness of ear-obes due to poor condition, nor any slight white appearance which lacks the satin-like characteristic of the ear lobe of rose comb bantams."

My primary question is, at what age do you typically cull for incorrect earlobe color? I know progression may vary from line to line. My line tends to be slow to develop. I often have several late bloomers. My chicks tend to hatch with skin colored earlobes, and the earlobes of the cockerels turn red many months later.

Is there a period of time that you give cockerels, and if they don't turn red by that point, you consider them culls? Also, if a cockerel ends up with skin colored earlobes, but no enamel white it present, is he still a definite cull?

Thanks for your time.

846

Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: A Hard Lesson on Biosecurity

« on: August 25, 2017, 11:29:16 PM »

I am sorry to hear this Max. I am sure that your presence will be missed at the fall and winter shows. Due to NPIP precautions and biosecurity measures in place, I no longer offer tours of our farm to the public. There were several AI scares in nearby counties last year. Best of luck to you, and we will look forward to seeing you rebound from this.

847

Breeding / Re: Breeding Buffs

« on: August 03, 2017, 10:59:14 AM »

How are the buff grow-outs coming along this season?
Are you going to have some good show champs this year?

Hi Don,
The buff grow outs are doing well. Thanks for asking! I have narrowed them down in half so far, and plan to re-evaluate them again during the next two weeks. I started with birds from two different breeders, with the understanding that the buff color variety as a whole needs some work. Several birds have been culled and sold as pet quality birds for things like poor type, white in the tail, sparse muffs/beards, poor shank color, etc. I have 5-6 promising cockerels left, and around two dozen pullets to sort through. The buff color is really pretty when done right! A gentleman was showing buff Orpingtons at a local show a few years ago. That was my first time to see the buff color in person, although in a different breed, and it piqued my interest.

Lol, I don't know about a show champ, but I do have a few birds that I hope will show well this fall. I have a black cockbird in particular that I think is pretty special, and some promising birds in my other color varieties. Time will tell. I hope to show the black, wheaten, blue wheaten, self blue, white, and buff colors this fall.

How are your birds doing?

848

News and Information / Re: ABC Gallery

« on: July 13, 2017, 11:28:06 PM »

Congratulations Mel!!!

849

Breeding / Re: I enjoyed visiting with Susan Mouw today (Sand Castle Farms).

« on: July 02, 2017, 08:27:03 PM »

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only crazy chicken person out there. Lol

We really enjoyed our visit Susan. I'm glad you liked the coffee mug and sign. We really appreciated your hospitality and I look forward to seeing you at shows in the Fall. I started sorting through the birds today and they are beautiful.

850

Breeding / I enjoyed visiting with Susan Mouw today (Sand Castle Farms).

« on: July 01, 2017, 06:03:00 PM »

This morning I hopped in the car at dark thirty to drive 880 miles round trip to Aiken, South Carolina. I enjoyed spending a few hours visiting with Susan, our ABC secretary/treasurer. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with her line of wheatens and blue wheatens (Sand Castle Farms), but I feel more blessed to call her my friend. I am sad that you will no longer be working with the wheatens and blue wheatens Susan. Your blacks, blues, and splashes are looking great! I look forward to seeing them at shows in the Fall. I'm headed back to Tn with two dozen birds in the back of my SUV.  I guess I am officially the crazy chicken lady! Prayers for safe travels back home are appreciated!

851

News and Information / Re: Breeders Directory and new ABC classified site

« on: June 29, 2017, 12:33:22 PM »

This sounds great. So many great features! Thanks for doing this.

852

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: South-Central District Meet Fayetteville, ArK. on November 4 & 5, 2017

« on: June 26, 2017, 11:00:14 PM »

  According to ABC policy the district director is suppose to select a show in his/her district for the district meet each year.  Supposedly in an area where it will be well attended.  The district meet should be the top Ameraucana show for the district with the exception of the district that is hosting the national meet.  The national meet should be the top Ameraucana show of the year.

  Since the South Central district now has several ABC members who show at its district meet, it is decided at our district meeting.  We discuss fall shows within the district that the group would like to have as our district meet.  Then the group votes on which show they want to be our district meet.  Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama have recently been added to the SC district.  Yes, Knoxville, TN. is a candidate to host our SC district meet.  Our 2018 district meet will be the national APA special held at Shawnee, OK. On November 17th & 18th, 2018.  ABC members attending our SC district meeting at Fayetteville, ARK. On Nov. 4th & 5th, 2017 will need to decide on an alternate show for our 2018 district meet, in the event the ABC board decides that the APA national show in Shawnee, needs to be the ABC national.  I’ll bring up Knoxville, TN. as one of our shows to consider for our district meet.

  Paul Smith

Thank you for explaining to me how the process works. I will try to work out a way to attend the district meets in the future. It has been hard to travel with our six year old twins and our two year old. As they get older it will get easier to travel farther distances, although I'm not wishing this phase of life away. Our hands are full but so are our hearts. 

853

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Please Congratulate 3 New Master Exhibitors and 1 New Junior Master Exhibitor!

« on: June 25, 2017, 11:43:53 PM »

Congratulations to all of you!!!

854

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: South-Central District Meet Fayetteville, ArK. on November 4 & 5, 2017

« on: June 25, 2017, 11:41:46 PM »

  The South-Central district meet was set for the HOTO poultry show in Fayetteville, ARK. at our South-Central District meeting in Shawnee, OK. last Dec.  We can and will have a good Ameraucana meet if Ameraucana breeders will support the show, which is November 4th & 5th, 2017.  The district meets should be the prominent show for each district, with the exception of the districts hosting our national meet, which should be the top Ameraucana event in the U.S.

  There has been some incorrect info spread about hotel availability.  I asked Jacob for hotels available and prices.  He sent me to Bentonville, ARK.-google hotels.  I was surprised to see that according to the internet, Bentonville, has 92 hotels!  Presently the cheapest I found was Home Towne Suites.  Friday and Saturday night for 2 nights for 2 adults is only $89 for both nights-$45/night.  Days Inn has two nights for $102-$51/night.  Some go into the $300's for 2 nights $150/night.  If you are planning on showing at the ABC South-Central District meet you need to book a room ASAP to get a reduced rate as they are in high demand.

Hi Paul,

How are the south central district meets selected each year? Any chance that we could make the Dixie Classic show in Knoxville, Tn the district meet at some time or another? Have a good week.

855

News and Information / Re: Sad day

« on: June 21, 2017, 11:08:08 AM »

Dewayne,

I'm sad to hear that you are getting out of Ameraucanas. I have enjoyed seeing your posts and pictures of your birds. Best wishes!