Let's Go Dutch III!

Well we landed at a breeder.s establishment in our quest and what do you think was the first thing that caught this child.s eye? Like so many who catch just a glimpse of the Dutch, I swore that was not a chicken. Well after several hours of negotiation, still not convinced I would be receiving any eggs from this handful, we packed Nat.s new prized processions up and made our way home.

We didn.t have much time to prepare, and the Dutch were young but we were determined to enter the Open Show. Nat worked diligently, studying, joined a 4-h club to glean more, handled and trained and groomed till I thought the poor fowl would turn into prunes. Now I, all the while was the observer. They were not disappointing me in the way of laying eggs. Often times it would appear as if they were calling me .come see, see what I have to show you. their vocal ness intrigued me. What was this, I am thanking a chicken for laying and egg. Thirteen years later and this ritual is still going on, they call, I go collect and thank them for giving me such nice eggs. Each one now is a potential for a show we Dutch breeders do like to show off our fowl along with talk about them often. As I have stated so many times it is a wonderful sight to see so many being exhibited at the shows. This is our time.

Oh yes, back to the show. I never knew there were so many different types of chickens, but I had learned by now that good things do come in small packages. I was lost but not Nat; there she was right in the middle of things. It didn.t appear that she needed my help at all. So many people on that isle, all grooming and chatting. What in the world could possible attract that much personal attention and hold and audience for so long? One word - the Dutch. That.s all it takes now when someone ask what do you show? You say the Dutch and they say .Oh yes they are beautiful! . The Dutch have come a long way in this country and in our shows. In my personal observation they have drawn a dedication that so many other breeds have lost. Often times you find fanciers keeping for the ease of keeping, but for the Dutch it appears to be due to the personable fact of this breed. They are so original in their own right, demanding and relentless. They will demand your attention in the exhibition halls, and a visit from you everyday if you raise them, and raise them is what we do since that first day Nat laid eyes on her first hens.

Now where was I? Oh yes that first show, and why would this show be so important? Well I the non-believer would learn just what the Dutch breed is capable of outside my backyard. I also saw that day what the support of a club means. It was as if the members, who we really didn.t know and at that time we were not fellow members with, were grooming and prepping Nat for exhibition. They hovered over her like mother hens. Looking back now I see a coalition between what I saw that day and a Dutch hen who has just hatched her brood. Proud, Clucking and strutting, heads high, anticipating anything and confident in everything. I saw rows full of these proud members and cages full of a fowl that displayed a proud and confident nature that would make you take notice. I had no idea what that bird was supposed to do, but Nat did, and when she was done preparing the bird for the judge she stepped away. I kept thinking how did this eight year old know what to do, what to look for. She whispered to me . He.s at my cage mom. I watched as this man in a white coat opened the cage and out stepped her Princess. Yes that.s right out she stepped onto the edge of the table. The two gentlemen stepped back, admiring, and there she stood in all her glory. The white coat stepped up and gently picked her up, Nat is biting her nails, as she watches now. Her bird is given the go over and the gentlemen moved a cage over and set her down on the table. Princess preformed magnificently. But then of course why shouldn.t she, she is a Dutch. In retrospect I hope the judges that day received a new perceptive concerning the Dutch. It is the Dutch themselves that will make you appreciate their breed. It will not be our words that will convince you about this breed but the character they exhibit. A tiny handful of personality is what I always tell people now. Whenever anyone approaches me about chickens and raising them I direct them to the Dutch. Not just in promotional aspects but for the willingness of this fowl. Strange concept, but they are a breed that responds, and will give you an understanding and appreciation of the fancy. They will attract you with their natural beauty and draw you in with their intriguing personalities. In all these years we have never bred two birds with the same personalities. In breeding we go beyond just type and variety we look for those that remain true to their nature and carry themselves accordingly.

Speaking of directing, we have had a lot of discussions of late concerning .pinched. tails. It is not in their nature or according to the standard to exhibit tightly held, closed or pinched tails. To do so takes away from their captivating beauty. I have been observing the young cockerels and pullets this year and am quite pleased to see that our efforts are being rewarded by with a much better spread at such a young age. I love to watch the girls swish those tails as they run around and socialize. I would encourage anyone who is breeding to stay away from breeding and lines that are not fanning or spreading their tails appropriately. I have to tell you here also that chest color in the Light Browns has always been a concern of mine. Often times I see lack of richness in the chest of the females or ticking in the males. Again I encourage you to look for .rich salmon. color starting at the upper neck and down breast slowly lightening as it approaches lower breast in females. It should be a deep even richness, not blotchy or faded. For those that are purchasing fowl for the first time, your older fowl should exhibit and be holding this color. Young may not show this richness until second feathering, which is typical. So if you are new and looking for Dutch write our club secretary, Roy Schell at HC 65 Box 196 Wagarville, Al.

We have so many fine articles concerning proper coloring and plumage contributed by our members. All our members are willing to help you either obtain fowl or just learn what is appropriate by the standard and characteristic of our breed.

Well I left you hanging on how the showed turned out that day didn.t I. With bird in hand the man in the white coat approached Nat. Could have been the nail biting that gave away who was the owner. He asked her if it was her fowl and how long she had been showing. They chatted for a bit all the while the judge held the bird stroking and telling Nat how pleased he was with her efforts, for it showed. He returned opened the cage, the bird hopped from his hand, entered the cage with no resistance. He made some scribbles on the card and moved right along. I caught him winking at Nat a couple times. When we figured out what the acronyms meant I knew why. After both the Open and the junior show we took home a lot of ribbons and plagues and even a trophy. As we drove home, I asked Nat what she wanted to do now? I still chuckle, . I want to breed mom . That is not what I thought she was going to say. . Breed what Nat?. Now if you.re a parent you will imagine the tone here, . MOM! The Dutch of course. Nat will tell you it was the bird that day, looking back upon that day, I have to say, I agree. It was the bird. Why? Because the bird was a Dutch!