Hi Birdman, 
   Many years ago when I was a youngster (I still am but only in my mind!) 
 I was a poultry fancier. I raised all kinds of chickens and a breed of quail 
 called Coturnix. I spent many many hours just messing around at the barn 
 and messing with my animals. Now I'm all grown up and don't live where I can 
 raise any birds. Oh how I'd love to have a place and have a barn and 
chickens.
 I used to get all of the mail order catalogs. I day dreamed about all of 
 the varieties I hoped to have. Its been too long to remember all of the 
things
 I used to know about the various breeds. I also raised some Black 
Australorps 
 and thought they were nice. I do remember that they were the result of a 
 cross but don't remember what the parent breeds are. Is it Black Orpington 
and
 what other one? The Black Minorca? Those are ok birds. One that I never got 
 that I really wanted is the Speckled Sussex. I had this awsome Auricana 
 rooster. He was black and had a very colorful speckled mane. He was very 
cool 
 looking and one mean dude. He took care of a dozen hens and he did his job 
if 
 you get my drift. I had incubators and I hatched many a chick and I can say 
 I can't remember an unfertile egg. He had his favorite hen and her eggs 
 were pink and always hatched in 18 days. I guess she was a good lay(er). 
 Ever see any of those Shamo Japanese? Now those are mean birds when they 
want 
 to be. Very odd looking. 
   Guess I'll back out of here for now. Let me hear from you. .....Bill 
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