BIO

My name is Ann Charles and I own SkyBlueEgg Araucana.   I live In Winnfield, Louisiana.  Although I grew up in California my ancestors/family have been in South Louisiana for approximately 200 years.  When I was young it was always a goal of mine to move back to Louisiana and in 1992 I packed up and bid California good bye.

Education: Most of what I know about poultry is self taught ( I read  a lot), but I did spend 5 years in the mid to late 70's in the California State College & University system attending Cal Poly - SLO, Chico State, and Fresno State Universities.  My majors were in Agriculture and Animal Science with a focus on genetics and nutrition.   Early on, like most horsey kids, I rode gymkhana horses and had a AAA race horse that I ran barrels on for a while.  I even did a stint riding bucking horses at All-Girl-Rodeos for a summer and was a member of the old GRA (Girls Rodeo Association).  Within the equine field I finally settled on AQHA Halter and Pleasure Horses (AQHA, APHA, and ABRA). Over time I bred, raised or exhibited 3 World and Reserve World Champion Halter Horses.  The Halter Horse industry changed drastically in the 1980's and I did not like the direction it was headed (I actually rode my conformation horses)  . . . to make a long story short  I now hold down the job of co-founder and Executive Secretary for the Foundation Quarter Horse Association. 

I have raised poultry for most of my adult life beginning with Barred Plymouth Rocks back in the early 1980's.  My passion/obsession with Araucana began in 2004 and I have  been breeding and showing Araucana since then.  During that time I have bred, raised and exhibited, 3 National Champion or Reserve National Champion Araucana.    I was the first person to ever earn an ABA starred win on a Black Araucana Bantam Hen.  For the last few years I have focused primarily on large fowl Araucana, but as of June 2013, I am once again raising, and will be exhibiting, bantam Araucana.

I have worked in the printing industry most of my adult life and have been editor of and published a number of livestock related publications.  Currently I publish the free online poultry publication: Exhibition Poultry Magazine, http://www.exhibitionpoultry.net/ and am the American Poultry Association representative for the state of Louisiana.  The Magnolia Classic poultry show held in Leesville, Louisiana, March 2013, http://www.TheMagnoliaClassic.com/, was another of my poultry related projects. 

Amidst all of these time consuming interests I manage to also find time for my home and my wonderful, and infinitely patient, husband of almost 20 years, Andrew.  With out his love, support and help, 90% of what I do would not be possible.  He is a true blessing from God. 

For more information on my Araucana go to my websites. 

http://www.SkyBlueEgg.com/  &  http://www.Araucana.com/.

Since 111/14/2012