POLAND SHOWS ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT 2008

 

I like to mention two international shows I visited recently; the European Silkie show and International Poland Show in Bruges, Belgium and the German club show with international presence in Bottrop, Germany. Both shows took place in November 2008 and were very worthwhile visiting. Personally I am always curious to see whether there are new varieties and new colours. Both shows did, and I like to show them to you. Some pictures were made outside the shows.

 

First I have to say that the Poland breed is considered as two breeds in continental Europe (and also in England long ago). The non-bearded Poland is often referred to as Dutch Crested, while the bearded is often referred to as Padua fowl.

 

The international Poland show in Bruges, a beautiful medieval town in Belgium, was organized by the local club; Koninklijke Angora Kleinveeclub- Brugge (Royal Angora Smallholder club-Bruges). The Silkie show was organized according to the rules of the Entente Européenne, the Poland show was ‘just’ an international show. There were about 110 Polands, mainly from Holland, Belgium’s neighbouring country. The show was right in the centre of the town, which paid off, since there were more than 10.000 visitors in three days! Most popular is, in most countries, the WC Black (33) for the non-bearded variety and self black (19) bearded ones, including 12 frizzles. In general there were more frizzle birds then we are used to, like buff laced, WC cuckoo and self black. The frizzle variety is no so popular on the continent as in the UK or USA.

 

The German show was organized by the Sonderverein der Züchter der Seidenhühner und Zwerg-Haubenhühner, which means Club for Silkies and Poland bantams (but also bantams of Houdan and Crevecoeur). There were more than 700 birds in the pens. Of which over 250 Polands (most bantams). Most were of the traditional colours like WC blacks (42) and WC whites (22) for the non bearded variety and buff laced (17) and self blacks (29) for the bearded variety, being the most popular. Unknown colours were self buff , self chocolate and partridge bearded ones from the polish breeder Stanislaw Roskowski. In the WC variety we saw chocolate, khaki, buff, red and mottled chocolate. We even saw a pair of silkie Polands. Not all new colours could get my personal approval. Personally I do not think that the silkie  gene should be allowed in the Poland breed (why do you not breed Silkies then?). Nor am I enthusiast for the partridge colour.

As a footnote, there were some rare Siamese Silkies with red comb and wattles and white skin and yellow legs. These are recognized in Germany.

 

POLANDS IN ALABAMA

 

Travelling abroad often implies different landscapes, another climate, other people  and meeting different cultures. The same goes also for many holidays, most of them are now behind us. For a poultry fancier it often comes down to – if allowed by the other family members! – a search for unknown poultry (-breeds).

This spring I was in America, in the south, in the state Alabama, visiting my good friend Terry Beebe. Alabama is a state about as large as Greece, with only 4.5 million inhabitants. A state, therefore with a lot of space and an unrestrained nature. Nevertheless, if possible, a scouting expedition in search for chickens and fanciers. No problem with Terry Beebe around you!

 

Country Fair

Soon I was taken to a Country Fair with a tent with a small poultry show. Especially Polands. No wonder, because the guy responsible for this part of the show happened to be Glenn Cryer, a well known Poland breeder. He had bit brought his best birds, and all chickens were for sale. Polands are relatively popular pets.

Striking was the colour of a cockerel; buff on a whitish/grey background. the birds had a lot of comb and wattle, more than I like.

Popular are the buff laced ( bearded) Polands and the WC blacks.

 

 
Terry Beebe, Tara & Channing Grisham and Glenn Cryer

 

 
An unknown colour of Glenn Cryer

 

Look in the coop

Apart from this country fair more breeders were visited. The most important one, from a Poland breeder point of view, was Channing Grisham. Channing has a large shed full of Polands and some other breeds. The shed is about 75 m long and 10m broad.

In short, a dream for every Dutchman.

 

Channing has almost every colour, also in frizzle.

Furthermore he has some unknown and rare breeds like Java’s, Buckeyes and Delaware, also Sussex- en Leghorn bantams/ Ample work!

 

 
Experimental colour of Channing

 

 

 
Big coops at Channing

 

Interesting too was the visit to an American breeder of American game. Hundreds of small pens for the game cocks, tight with a robe to the pen. In some USA states cock fighting is still allowed.

Finally we have been looking for Dominique. At last we found them! Much more upright than the German type.

 

Summary

I have seen many more chickens than normally on a holiday. Thanks to my poultry friends Terry en Channing

 

 

Luuk Hans

 

POLAND SHOWS ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT 2008

 

I like to mention two international shows I visited recently; the European Silkie show and International Poland Show in Bruges, Belgium and the German club show with international presence in Bottrop, Germany. Both shows took place in November 2008 and were very worthwhile visiting. Personally I am always curious to see whether there are new varieties and new colours. Both shows did, and I like to show them to you. Some pictures were made outside the shows.

 

First I have to say that the Poland breed is considered as two breeds in continental Europe (and also in England long ago).The non bearded Poland is often referred to as Dutch Crested, while the bearded is often referred to as Padua fowl.

 

The international Poland show in Bruges, a beautiful medieval town in Belgium, was organized by the local club; Koninklijke Angora Kleinveeclub- Brugge (Royal Angora Smallholder club-Bruges). The Silkie show was organized according to the rules of the Entente Européenne, the Poland show was ‘just’ an international show. There were about 110 Polands, mainly from Holland, Belgium’s neighbouring country. The show was right in the centre of the town, which paid off, since there were more than 10.000 visitors in three days! Most popular is, in most countries, the WC Black (33) for the non-bearded variety and self black (19) bearded ones, including 12 frizzles. In general there were more frizzle birds then we are used to, like buff laced, WC cuckoo and self black. The frizzle variety is no so popular on the continent as in the UK or USA.

 

The German show was organized by the Sonderverein der Züchter der Seidenhühner und Zwerg-Haubenhühner, which means Club for Silkies and Poland bantams (but also bantams of Houdan and Crevecouer). There were more than 700 birds in the pens. Of which over 250 Polands (most bantams). Most were of the traditional colours like WC blacks (42) and WC whites (22) for the non bearded variety and buff laced (17) and self blacks (29) for the bearded variety, being the most popular. Unknown colours were self buff , self chocolate and partridge bearded ones from the polish breeder Stanislaw Roskowski. In the WC variety we saw chocolate, khaki, buff, red and mottled chocolate. We even saw a pair of silkie Polands. Not all new colours could get my personal approval. Personally I do not think that the silkie  gene should be allowed in the Poland breed (why do you not breed Silkies then?). Nor am I enthusiast for the partridge colour.

As a footnote, there were some rare Siamese Silkies with red comb and wattles and white skin and yellow legs. These are recognized in Germany.

 

Luuk Hans
November 2008