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(http://www.afn.org/~poultry)
October 2001 |
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(http://www.afn.org/~poultry)
October 2001 |
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In This Issue:
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NEXT MEETING:8:00 PM SHARP Friday, October 26 at the Pavilion in the garden behind the Mounts Building located at 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach - directly across from Palm Beach International Airport approximately 1/4 mile north of Southern Blvd. |
This months newsletter will be packed with announcements and vital event information, so lets get right to it.
This October 26th meeting will be our In-Club poultry show. Each family may bring 8 birds and we must be there at 7pm to set up before Dale arrives at 8pm to Judge. This is also PIZZA NIGHT.
The Christmas Parade is coming up December 8th. It will start at 11am at a Park in the Acreage. We will have he November meeting/work shop to pull it all together.
The Fall Family Fest at Mounts Gardens at our regular spot, will be held on Sunday, October 21 from 11am to 4pm. We should be there at 10am to set-up. Joe, Dave, Richard, Mike, Andrea and myself have volunteered to be there. However everyone is welcome to come and be with us. Bring a few birds to show. Anything unusual is always nice to exhibit for the kids.
Halloween night in Yesteryear Village is also this month, Oct. 31. We will dress up and hang out in the Seller House Barn. Halloween is one of my favorite Holidays. I have some Ghost Chickens to bring. Peggy and Andrea said that they will hang out with me. This event goes from 410pm. Any one who wants to join us, " Just come on."
Our QUOTA for new exhibitors at this years 2002 South Fla. Fair has been filled. We will accept NO NEW exhibitors. Our new updated list for this year includes new club members and Seminar personnel. These people will comprise our new exhibitors. Questions? Call Lee 561-686-4774.
A WONDERFUL POULTRY FANCIERS surprise is due to appear at our November meeting. If, in the sad event you miss this meeting, it will REAPPEAR at the Christmas Party in December. Be sure to be on hand, I don't want you to MISS THIS.
We voted to support the "BIRD SHIPPERS" with a $50.00 sign-up fee. Hopefully we can help and be part of solving the problem. This money will go for Lawyers and Lobbyists. Dennis will let us know how to go about this.
Our Club Officers will remain in office and we THANK YOU for being such a
great club that this a pleasure. We pledge to work hard in your behalf. SEE
YOU SOON. 
In-Club Show
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"We Are Crowing For YOU!"
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Why Wyandottes?by Ronald D. Simpson, Past President
Wyandotte Bantam Club of America
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Partridge Wyandotte Cockerel Best of Breed '99 Hoosier Poultry Breeders Show. Bred by Mark & Jean Palin, Memphis Michigan (Neil Grassbaugh photo) |
Silver-laced Wyandotte Hen
Photos courtesy Wyandotte Club
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Wyandotte Bantams continue to rise in popularity. According to recent data from the American Bantam Association they represent the second largest number of entries in U.S. shows over the past three years, behind only Old English Game Bantams. Why such popularity? Here are a few reasons why many of us think Wyandottes are such a wonderful breed. Standard sized Wyandottes first became popular during the first half of this century because of their dual purpose productivity. In other words, they were excellent layers but also plump and appealing meat birds. Their real claim to fame was the ability to withstand cold winters, particularly in the Midwest, because their rose combs were much less vulnerable to frostbite than single combed birds.
Today the Wyandotte Bantam as well as their beautiful large counterpart is popular for other reasons. One obvious factor is their general appearance. Here we have a bird that is compact, broad, deep and balanced in carriage. It possesses a geometric grace that is hard to match. It is a bird of curves with gently angular lines and circles that present a boldness as well as charm to the observer.
The balance and poise of the Wyandotte is topped off by the neatness of the rose comb, the trait spoken of earlier that had great utility in earlier days. While there is beauty in all the comb types, I have always found the appealing comb of the Wyandotte to possess a classy and neat look that reminds me of a Roman Soldier's helmet. This comb sitting on top of the nice broad head is a distinctive feature of the Wyandotte breed.
Wyandottes are also appealing because of their level of activity. They are not high-strung or flighty birds, but neither are that passive or inactive. They are often referred to as "those industrious Wyandottes" because the females always seem busy at work throughout their purposeful days. The combination of European and Asian bloodlines in the creation of this breed has led to a nice blend of activity and gentleness.
Wyandottes come in a large variety of colors, again second only to Old English Game in the number of color patterns. We have emphasized to those who are interested in beginning with Wyandottes that excellent contributions can be made by focusing on one of the less popular varieties. Particularly if one is a beginner in this breed, there are advantages to specializing in one or two varieties as opposed to breeding several. Each of the varieties has it beauty and we are seeing a rising level of interest in "bringing back" some of the more rare varieties in our shows.
Great progress has been made during the past couple of years in communicating to judges and show officials, as well as breeders, the essential features of the Wyandotte breed. We are also looking more closely at the large fowl in our breed, realizing that this is the standard that we should always be aiming for. We admire and value the large fowl and support our breeders in this area. So "bunny tails," short legs showing no thigh, narrow heads, legs that are not yellow in color, narrow bodies, pinched tails, and wings and tails that are too long, are all things that are being watched more carefully. There is a new awareness that is leading to lots of conversation.
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White Wyandotte Bantam Cockerel
'99 Southern Ohio Poultry Show - Junior |
We are proud of our breed and of the progress our club members have made
during recent years. This is a club progressive in philosophy. We always
welcome new members and new ideas.
"We Are Crowing For YOU!"
By the time the 2003 South Florida Fair rolls around, construction is scheduled
to be complete on a new AgriCenter that will replace much of the current
Fairgrounds. Above are drawings of the planned improvements.
Of particular
interest to Club members is the Small Animal building, marked on the drawings.
It will stand where the current Poultry tent stands.
The Club will have the rear half of the Small Animal building, including water and storage areas, and will have more square footage than we have in the current tent. Rabbits will be in the other half of the building.
Not only will we have water close at hand, and an adequate area for permanent storage, but we will have a permanent place to display our signage, especially the signage we sell to local advertisers. The Club will have more and easier parking for our Fair workers also.
Additionally, the Club has agreed to consider sponsoring an APAABAsanctioned Poultry Show once we have access to these new facilities.
All in all quite an improvement and a step forward for the Palm Beach County
Poultry Fancier's Association. Thanks to Lee and Mike, and others, for handling
the details of this with the Fair Authority.
Poultry Publications You Will Enjoy Reading
Poultry Press
Show Bird Journal |
A Float for the Acreage Christmas ParadeThe Club is looking for volunteers to build a float for the 1st annual Acreage Christmas Parade on December 8. We must register by November 1. It should be a lot of fun, and give the Club exposure in an area where many people have poultry. Please contact Lee Salmon or Peggy Belvin if you can participate in this event. |
Due to my heavy work schedule and my age I need to sell my breeding stock. I will sell "cheep" to club members.
I have pairs of Black tailed White Japanese, Millie Fluer, Cochins, Rosecombs, BB red game birds, 3-pair Ringneck pheasants and many more. Call Nancy at 795-1323 or e-mail nancychickylady AT aol.com.
"We Are Crowing For YOU!"
2001 Meeting Meal Schedule
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NEWSLETTER ARTICLES, PICTURES, SUGGESTIONS NEEDED!
Please send any of the above to:
Mike Schmidt,
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Newsletter Editor Mike Schmidt
Webmaster Dennis Hawkins
© Copyright 2001 Palm Beach County Poultry Fanciers Association
All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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