Monthly Archives: October 2012

Poultry At The Fair

Before the internet, on-line hatchery catalogs and YouTube videos, the only way to see different poultry breeds was to go to a poultry show. Breeders brought their best stock.

In 1924, J.C. Johnson, of Cottage Grove, Oregon printed up postcards of his Silver Spangled Hamburg Rooster and proudly advertised that his birds were show winners. He sold “eggs and young stock” throughout the Pacific Northwest.

This is another one of his roosters. Gorgeous! (Am I right in thinking that this is a Silver Laced Polish?)

I think that going to a poultry show remains the best way to learn about chicken breeds. I was at the Fryeburg Fair this weekend, so of course took a look in the Poultry Barn where I lucked out to see the judging.

I like to see which birds pleased the judges, and so try to improve my own eye for quality.

(BV = Best of Variety, BB = Best of Breed)

I think that J. C. Johnson would have wanted this cockerel in his flock.

I know that I’ve added  a polka-dotted bird to my wish-list of chickens to get.

Buffy Recovers. Again.

Buffy, who last week looked like a goner, recovered enough from whatever it is that ails her this time, to stand up and rejoin the flock.

When a chicken gets sick it is often fatal. I strongly believe that in many cases euthanasia is a kindness. But, if the hen is not listless, if she is bright-eyed and avidly eating (not just treats but also pellets), then she’s not suffering yet and I do what I can. In Buffy’s case she got the Spa Treatment. She also got set down in a comfy pile of hay with food and water within reach.

I don’t know what is going on inside of her, but my guess is that her digestive tract is compromised and that it’s getting harder and harder for her to get the nutrients that she needs. She’s old (6 1/2!) and doesn’t have the vigor to forage, or even to eat as much as she should at the feeder. I’m honestly surprised that she is up and about.

Buffy gives new meaning to the term “Tough Old Hen.”