Washington County Fair

courtesy of Dawn

 August is fair time, and small county fairs are a great place to show poultry.  We live in an increasingly suburban county just east of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, but the Washington County Fair is a popular event and celebration of agriculture every summer.  We bought day-old Black Javas from Duane Urch over a year and a half ago, so now have a small flock of various ages.  Along with his 4H events, our 15 year-old son entered his Javas in open division – an old breeding trio, a young breeding trio and hen with chicks. The chicks were a big hit and so cute at only four days old.   Many people asked about backyard coops as more communities permit chickens in the city.  It gave us a chance to promote the Java as a friendly, hardworking breed who can dependably provide breakfast year round.  

Black Javas at Diamond T Poultry

4 month old Black Java Cockeral

    Five years after the Civil War, the Diamond T brand was registered in the State of Texas. In that time there have been different  species and breeds produced by my family, including horses, mules, cattle and poultry.
   For many years Old English game large fowl were produced and exported to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, The Philippines and Central America. While gamefowl were the predominate breed of poultry produced for many years, there was also always chickens of many many breeds produced and sold for meat, eggs and exhibition, both bantam and large fowl as well as turkeys and guineas for the commercial market.

APA-ABA JOINT NATIONAL CONTEST & AWARDS

October 28, 29, 30, 2011
Indianapolis, IN

The APA-ABA Youth Poultry Club will be holding the following contests and will be giving awards to members in good standing at the APA-ABA Joint National.  You do not have to be present to enter the photography & essay contest.  These are  for all members of the club. The rules and awards for each of the contest are as follows:

ESSAY CONTESTS:  Members only (Dues must be current) Members do not have to attend the show to enter.
Age Divisions are:  8-10 year olds, 11-13 year olds, 14-16 year olds and 17-18 year olds

There are two different topics you may choose from.

Starting chicks at Diamond T Poultry

4 month old Black Javas from diamond T Poultry

4 month old Black Java cockeral courtesy of Diamond T Poultry

When I take chicks from hatcher and move them to the brooder I begin feeding a 22% protein starter / grower, I use Purina Honor Show Chow. Since the chick feed is medicated with an antibiotic to prevent coccidiosis, it can eventually kill too many of the "good bacteria" in their digestive system causing digestive stress.

Mottled Java Chicks

The Javas (black and white) decide to look for some bugs

Uniontown Poultry Association's Spring Show has Java Meet

Black Java Roo owned by Liesa Stiller

The Uniontown Poultry and Farm Products Association had their spring show April 17th at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Dunbar, PA. which included some very special chickens, Black and Mottled Javas. Our very own district #2 director Liesa Stiller was on the show committee and saw to it to have a Java Meet. A meet is when 3 or more people show 10 or more birds of the same breed. The show consisted of pigeons, rabbits, livestock and poultry. Also note they are an APA/ABA sanctioned show  The Uniontown website states that they are a diverse group including people from all ages and backgrounds and that their fundamental objectives are to encourage the breeding and exhibiting of all varieties of poultry, to foster friendliness and good fellowship among its members,and to supply helpful and authentic information to all seeking advice. Attached is a photo of Liesa's rooster that won best of breed and best variety for both of the shows. He went up against one other rooster (same variety) - Liesa hopes to make that a larger number for the fall show. Also pictured is Krista Martin's Mottled Java pullet - best variety, unfortunately for Krista her Mottled Java was the only Mottled shown, for both shows. Also pictured is Angela Hamman's Black Java pullet  that was reserve breed and reserve variety in the first show and Lisa's pullet won reserve breed and reserve variety for the second show. Liesa also had a booth and signed up two new members Krista Martin and Angela Hammon. There will be another in the fall. The show information and catalog will be posted when it becomes available.

Black Java Pullet owned by Liesa Stiller

Angela Hammonds Black Java Pullet

Mottled Java Pullet shown by Krista Martin

Here is a link to the article about the show posted by the Herald Standard written by Barbara Starn

ILLINOIS’ ONLY RARE BREEDS LIVESTOCK & POULTRY SHOW

CAMPTON HILLS, IL: Garfield Farm Museum will hold its 25th Annual Rare Breeds Livestock & Poultry Show and Sale on Sunday May 22 from 11am – 4pm. The only show of its type held in Illinois, looks at the loss of genetic diversity amongst domestic animals that humans have depended upon for food, fiber, and work for hundreds of years. For many visitors to the show it is the first and perhaps last time in their lives they might ever see some of these highly endangered breeds.

In today’s market, very few breeds are used in modern farms. Those that are tend to have very small gene pools as artificial insemination makes it possible for one prized male animal to father thousands of offspring. This leads to a lack of genetic diversity. Genetic resistance or hardiness to disease might be absent in such a line. A disease could strike that could eliminate such a breed. Breed diversity is not only a novelty, it is a necessity.

In times of economic uncertainty like the one we are in, any threat to our food sources could be disastrous. Should a disease or other factor make the breeds currently use not viable, food would become harder and more expensive to come by. What genetic diversity does is provide the option of a different genetic strain that may not be affected by the same things as the modern commonplace strain. Should the currently used breed be effected the heritage breed may not.

There is also the matter of taste. Many of the currently used animals are used because they can grow to a desired size in a relatively short amount of time. Some older breeds may take longer to reach maturity, but they have a flavor to their meat or eggs that is missing in the genetically narrow market.

Practicality aside, these animals should be saved for the same reason as any other rare animal. These barn yard critters may not be as glamorous as a panda or eagle, but are very much part of our environment and heritage. Many of these animals were on a farm when our forefathers were. If one were to save objects from the past to preserve a glimpse of the past, then heritage livestock should be saved to help complete the picture.

Breeders are invited to exhibit their animals at the museum with a chance to meet other breeders and prospective buyers. Pens, water, and bedding are provided by the museum just bring feed and any information, displays, products, demonstrations, or lectures related to the breeds being shown. There are no registration fees for exhibitors. Exhibitors must have appropriate health paperwork on their animals.

In addition to seeing the animals, visitors and exhibitors can tour the 1846 Teamster Inn and Tavern, watch demonstrations of sheep shearing, wool spinning, or enjoy refreshments from Inglenook Pantry. There is a $6 donation for adults and $3 for children 12 years and younger.

Garfield Farm Museum is five miles west of Geneva, IL off ILL Route 38 on Garfield Road. The 370 acre museum is supported by donations and is the only surviving historically intact former 1840s Illinois prairie farmstead and teamster inn being restored as an 1840s working farm museum. For information call 630-584-8485 or email info@garfieldfarm.org.