Richmond Show Best of Breed

Daniel, I have had poultry all my life, and my children chose Silkies, and we had them for many years. But when I delivered some Silkies to a friend across the mountains, she had a Silver Dutch cock that just hit me as the most beautiful bantam I had ever seen! But in 1983, Dutch Bantams were not easy to find. It took me 3 years to locate some--in Florida- and not Silvers. After raising a few, they just didn't look like I expected, and so in 1992, I took a trip to Holland, and met a number of judges, breeders of a number of varieties, including Silvers (WOW) and knew mine were not right! Went to a show in AL and KNEW they were not right! Distributed pictures of the birds from Holland--went back to the European Poultry Show that fall, and began what has been a 15 year project to bring the Dutch Bantams in America up to the Standard of the birds in The Netherlands. I do not know how anyone can do a job of record keeping, each mating, each egg, each chick to maturity with more than one breed or more than a couple of varieties. It is a never ending project, as hope is that each generation will be better than the last! And perfection is never reached. I love their temperment--a 7 year old hen is an irreplaceable friend, as are any of the breeding birds after they are hatched and raised to adults. Parting with any of those special birds is difficult. The bird in the picture is almost twoyrs. and was a favorite of mine. I have no son or daughters--all sold.So I hope I can hatch another brother or sister from his parents--3 year old birds. I really like all bantam breeds, but can be successful with just one and I like to be successful with my projects! And this year I finally obtained a start in Silvers of the quality that I dreamed of! They will be next to produce exhibition individuals! That's about it! CJR