We are pleased to announce The American Erminette by Curt Burroughs has been published and is now available for sale!
With 140 pages and over 150 photos, The American Erminette is the most extensive publication ever produced regarding the Erminette breed of chickens. Author Curtis Burroughs has compiled a remarkable recollection of the breed's forgotten history including photographs of some of the originators as well as historical drawings and photographs of the various founding bloodlines. Also included are chapters highlighting modern history and the incredible rescue story, breed census, the Erminette Standard, utility qualities, genetics, notes on Erminette type, Rose Comb Erminettes , Red Erminettes, and more. Whether you are just getting started with Erminettes, a seasoned breeder, or a poultry enthusiast this book is an invaluable tool which will help you sharpen you skills, improve your flock, and deepen your historical understanding of poultry breeding in the United States. |
Click the link below to purchase!
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BREED CENSUS - 2020 BREEDING SEASON
* UPDATE * We had an additional breeder contact us. Please see updates results in table below.
Our 2020 Census saw an overall increase in numbers over the 2018 Census. However, the increase was very slight. We did see one downturn in counts and that was the Erminette females. We are currently down by 4 females. On the upside, we had a large increase in young stock that are being held back for breeding and this will no doubt contain many young pullets.
Matt Hemmer in Kansas is working on restoring the Red Erminette to its former glory and has made some fantastic progress this hatching season. Josh Miller in Wisconsin has hatched out some promising Red Erminettes from some stock he acquired that originally came from him many years ago.
As will all breeds, there is an overall revolving door on breeders. We had nine breeders who filled out the census in 2018, and eleven in 2020. Only 5 of the breeders in 2018 were still breeding Erminettes in 2020.
We do know that more Erminettes exist than were recorded in the census as Glenn, Matt, and myself have been getting stock into the hands of interested parties, however, some either chose not to complete the census or no longer had the birds at the time of the census.
Our 2020 Census saw an overall increase in numbers over the 2018 Census. However, the increase was very slight. We did see one downturn in counts and that was the Erminette females. We are currently down by 4 females. On the upside, we had a large increase in young stock that are being held back for breeding and this will no doubt contain many young pullets.
Matt Hemmer in Kansas is working on restoring the Red Erminette to its former glory and has made some fantastic progress this hatching season. Josh Miller in Wisconsin has hatched out some promising Red Erminettes from some stock he acquired that originally came from him many years ago.
As will all breeds, there is an overall revolving door on breeders. We had nine breeders who filled out the census in 2018, and eleven in 2020. Only 5 of the breeders in 2018 were still breeding Erminettes in 2020.
We do know that more Erminettes exist than were recorded in the census as Glenn, Matt, and myself have been getting stock into the hands of interested parties, however, some either chose not to complete the census or no longer had the birds at the time of the census.
Breeder #1 (Iowa)
Source: Ron Nelson, Josh Miller Erminette: 3 Males, 11 Females Red Erminette: 2 Males, 3 Females Breeder #2 (Iowa) Source: Glen Drowns Erminette: 1 Male, 10 Females Rose Comb Erminette: 2 Females Breeder #3 (Iowa) Source: Curt Burroughs Erminette: 1 Male, 8 Females Breeder #4 (Iowa) Source: Curt Burroughs Erminette: 1 Male, 1 Female Breeder #5 (Iowa) Source: Curt Burroughs Erminette: 18 Young Birds Breeder #6 (Iowa) Source: Matt Hemmer Erminette: 2 Males, 2 Females, 37 Young Birds Breeder #7 (Kansas) Source: Glenn Drowns, Josh Miller, Josiah Moore, Curt Burroughs Erminette: 12 Males, 30 Females, 22 Young Birds Red Erminette: 5 Males, 5 Females, 30 Young Birds Breeder #8 (Mississippi) Source: Matt Hemmer Erminette: 2 Males, 1 Female Breeder #9 (New Mexico) Source: Matt Hemmer, Glenn Drowns Erminette: 25 Young Birds Breeder #10 (Oklahoma) Source: Glenn Drowns Erminette: 1 Female, 5 Young Birds Breeder #11 (Wisconsin) Source: Ron Nelson Erminette: 2 Males, 16 Females, 16 Young Birds Red Erminette: 8 Males, 31 Females, 36 Young Birds |
CLAIMED BY MANY - NEVER MADE OFFICIAL
Developed in the early 1870's, this striking pattern was quickly picked up and bred not only on the original Brahma body type, but also Wyandotte, Cochin, and Plymouth Rock types. Interestingly while this pattern was presented on many different breed types, none of the early breeders attempted to get them standardized within an already established breed. Rather, each breeder advertised their stock as "The Erminette". Rivalry and decades of dispute amongst the breeders of the various types resulted in the disbanding of flock after flock; by the 1940's this unofficial breed and its amazing color pattern was almost extinct. Now, nearly eighty years later we pick up the pieces of a breed long forgotten.
BEAUTYPossessing a form which is large, graceful, and capacious; combined with a stunning pattern; the Erminette enjoys a beauty few can deny. |
MEATJoining size with a breast bone that is longer than other breeds; Erminettes perform well as suppliers of breast meat, fryers, or stew hens. |
EGGSIt is hard to decide where Erminettes excel the most; in beauty, meat, or eggs. In the area of eggs, there is nothing lacking; breed average is over 240 tinted to warm brown eggs per year. |
AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL
Only in America, where the individual lives in true freedom, could such beauty and utility be blended into perfect unison. From its size, its beautiful eggs, its vivid color, all the way down to its yellow skin; the Erminette declares that it is the product of
AMERICAN VIGOR - AMERICAN CREATIVITY - AMERICAN VIRTUE
RARE AND RECOVERING
The Erminette finds itself in a unique position today. Originally bred to combine the power of productivity with graceful splendor, the Erminette is once again ready to join forces with the American Spirit. This time with the descendants of her creators. Whether they be showmen, homesteaders, hobby farmers, or city flock-men, the Erminette is poised to see its best days yet. Individuals looking for easy tempered, steady chickens which are reliable suppliers of eggs, meat, and beauty will find the Erminette a great addition to their lifestyle.
Breeders and admirers of today will find the Erminette still as it always was; a reliable yet unofficial American breed. What is needed now are individuals who are ready to reacquaint the American Freeman to his American creation.
As flocks of Erminettes begin to once again grace the American landscape, the Erminette will no doubt fill the lives of young and old alike with years of beauty, productive satisfaction, and a lifetime of memories.
OUR GOALERMINETTES ALMOST WENT EXTINCT. WE'RE CHANGING THAT. |
WHAT WE DO FIRSTDiscover
History is extremely important. If we are to keep these birds from going extinct we must first understand their history, their created purpose, and why they are worth preserving. Go to the HISTORY page to learn more about the Erminette's rich past. |
Now let's WORKConserve
Conservation is so much more than preservation. To preserve something is to keep it from changing, to conserve something is to keep what makes it good, and improve it into something great. Visit our STANDARD page to see where you can make a difference. |
IT'S UP TO USEducate
If the Erminette is expected to recover, it is up to us to educate others as to why the Erminette is worth keeping. Future breeders will not know how this bird can serve their needs if we don't tell them. |