Messages

1096

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Re: Points

« on: December 22, 2014, 04:27:16 PM »

Just tossing something out there...

This really doesn't have any effect on the conversation about points under personal name vs farm name, but why couldn't we add a category for farm name? Which wouldn't be dependent on the individuals, but would be cumulative for all owners/exhibitors for that farm?

Just thinking outside the box.

1097

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Winston Salem

« on: November 30, 2014, 09:23:16 AM »

Wish I had been able to make it up there. We changed our Thanksgiving dinner plans to Saturday, because my sister had to work Thursday (she's a social worker).

I'm still going to try the NC meet on the 17th.  Hope to see y'all there.

1098

Breeding / Re: Silver Am cockerel for evaluation

« on: November 18, 2014, 12:21:57 PM »

I can't wait to see what the experts have to say - he's beautiful! His looks might be enough to sway me away from the wheatens.

1099

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Great News for 2015 Ameraucana National Meet

« on: November 10, 2014, 04:05:10 PM »

Thank you, Paul!

1100

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Jensen Pierson needs to learn how to read show schedule.....

« on: November 09, 2014, 08:29:03 PM »

Well, I don't have the experience with chicken shows to share, but I will share one of my early dog show experiences.

I had just taken my first Golden Retriever in the ring and she had won her class.  The winners of the different classes then all go back in the ring to compete against each other for the championship points.  I was so excited over Katy's blue ribbon, I went back to the parking area where several of my friends were gathered together to show them. One of them, a professional handler, asked me how we did in the Winner's Class. "The what?"

They all had a good laugh about that - took me a bit longer to laugh about it.

So...in one form or another - we've all been there.

1101

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Great News for 2015 Ameraucana National Meet

« on: November 09, 2014, 08:24:52 PM »

This is good news! There were several folks that said they wouldn't do two shows in one day, so maybe this will encourage those folks to come. 

With dog shows, someone usually gets in touch with the local hotels to get show discounts for anyone attending the shows - does that happen with chicken shows? Or can someone make some recommendations for accommodations near the show site? 

1102

Ameraucana Marketplace / Looking for Wheaten/blue wheaten cockerel

« on: October 28, 2014, 08:51:25 PM »

I've culled most of my flock that hatched this year and am now looking for a really nice quality wheaten or blue wheaten LF cockerel.  I am in Aiken, SC and would love to find one within driving distance, but would consider shipping one in.

I'm not in a big hurry - this is for next springs breeding program (which doesn't begin until January, but I'll need some time for quarantine)

You can post here or email me at samouw@gmail.com

Thanks!

1103

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet Decided

« on: October 20, 2014, 06:46:24 PM »

Who has a trailer that we could use?

I'll start checking rates on rentals as we get closer - right now, most places won't even give me a price this far out.

Beth - we could convoy one way - out or back - and you could still spend some time visiting.

1104

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet Decided

« on: October 17, 2014, 06:14:22 PM »

Sounds like a good idea.  Do you know anyone with a large 15 passenger van we can borrow?  For some reason the intro of the Beverly Hillbillies comes to mind.  You know, the one of the flat bed truck with all their belongings strapped on top.  Mind you, I'm much too young to have seen this as an original broadcast, only on cable reruns.

Ok, who has the banjo?

We can rent a van - I don't think it would be that much.

1105

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: North Carolina fall shows

« on: October 16, 2014, 08:44:24 AM »

Hi Don

I was thinking of going to one or more of these shows, but I'm not bringing anything to show.  This year was a disaster for breeding, so I'll be keeping everyone home until next spring.

1106

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet Decided

« on: October 15, 2014, 09:13:57 AM »

Don and other NC, SC, or GA folks who want to go to the 2015 Nationals.  Anyone want to plan on a group trip and share driving and gas expenses?

I know it's early, but something to think about.

1107

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet Decided

« on: October 14, 2014, 03:24:43 PM »

13 hours away, so I'm going to start saving my pennies now.

1108

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2014 National Meet Results - Lucasville, OH

« on: October 14, 2014, 03:20:46 PM »

So many beautiful birds! I would have been drooling.

Congrats to all the winners!

1109

Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Leg Bands vs. Wing Bands

« on: October 12, 2014, 09:23:38 AM »

Everyone's set up is a little different, so what works here may not be the best for you, but here is a run-down of my experience since I started this thread several years ago:

I have tried just about everything at this point (even resorted to tattooing one year, but couldn't read them after a few months), and my best luck by far has been with zip end wing bands (item 890 from National Band )

I have had very little luck with plastic bands. I had more break than I had stay on and the ones that didn't break the numbers rubbed off of.

The adjustable aluminum bands the NPIP guys use start coming off in a matter of days.

The aluminum butt end bands are pretty good on adults, although I've had a couple come off after several  years, but you need multiple applicators to apply different size bands.

I haven't tried the steel butt end bands.

I have found that rubber bands come off more often than not.

Zip ties stay on better but even if you can write a number on them it will rub off and it is imperative that they be removed and replaced on a regular basis because they will not break or stretch as the bird grows and will grow right into their leg.

With any leg band you have to continuously change them as the chick grows and try to match up the numbers or keep track in your records where #27 change to #53 etc. (and chances are you're going to drop and lose at least one #27 band before the bird is grown), so I don't like them for chicks, although they are easier to read than wing bands on adult birds.

I've given up on using leg bands for growing birds. You can put the wing band on as soon as the chick comes out of the incubator and, applied correctly, it will stay on for years. (I had a few come off the first year because I didn't get them sealed right). They rarely come off. I've only used the zip bands, so I don't know how they compare to the jiffy or tab end bands.

A final thought, if you are pedigreeing your birds and tracking is essential, what ever type of band you decide to go with you may want to buy 2 sets of each number and put one band on each leg/wing  because nothing is fail proof, and it is beyond frustrating when you have a great bird (or worse, a really terrible one) and can't identify where it came from because the band came off.

Edited to add: I think Patty was referring to wing badges instead of bands, but I'm not sure. Sure do wish she was here to ask... 

Beth, what sizes are you using of the zip bands? I have all LF Ameraucanas and would like to try the wing banding for next spring's hatches.  How easy are they to put on?

1110

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: National Meet Pictures

« on: October 12, 2014, 09:11:47 AM »

Great pics! Thank you for posting these.