Iowa Blue Chickens!

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RhodeRunner

RhodeRunner

Songster
11 Years
Feb 22, 2009
1,548
181
231
Ashtabula, Ohio
Hi,
I have been interested in starting a small flock of Iowa Blue chickens for some time, and am thinking about getting some next year. Sadly, I don't see much about them. If anyone knows about them, has pictures, and suggestions at to where to get them, that would be great.

Thanks for your time, and knowledge,
Jamie/Rhode Runner
 
Are they the same thing as a bluebelle? I guess those started overseas with some kind of maran cross. I just can't figure out how they got them to be blue. Someone in the upper Midwest had some picts of bluebelles on here somewhere. Do a search and see if it's the same maybe.
 
I will do more research about the Bluebell as I have never heard of it. But, by google image the Bluebell is a blue feathered chicken. Iowa blues aren't blue, they are birchin, or a brownish like birchin pattern, from what I have collected.

Thanks
smile.png
I will let you know what I find.
 
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Thanks,
smile.png


It turns out that Sandhill, Ideal, and DarkEggs.com sell Iowa Blues. From what I have heard Ideals are darker. Does anyone know if this matters? I have ordered from Ideal before, and have found their breeds to be very wonderful, or completely dreadful. So I am a little hesitant to purchase these from them, but I also am feeling the same way about Sandhill and DarkEggs as I have never worked with them.
 
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Sandhill is a preservationist operation. They generally have decent stock from a heritage standpoint. The downside, is they seem to be trying to do too many things, so can be a pain to deal with. However, if you place your order early, and have patience, they usually seem to get it done.

Jim
 
Hi RhodeRunner
Here is some info. on the Iowa Blue fowl that I have. The Iowa Blue was developed around Decorah , Iowa , in the first half of the twentieth century. The Iowa Blue is a very rare bird that has never been recognized by the APA or ABA.
Little is know about its origing, Campines and Plymouth Rocks probably went into its development. In the 1960s, several small hatcheries around Iowa carried the birds, but after those hatcheries went out of business the breed almost died out.
The Iowa Blue is a dule-purpose bird that is know as a good forager; it does really well in a free-rangeoperation. Hens lay brown eggs and will go broody, exhibiting great maternal characteristics.

Size of the Iowa Blue is 7 lb. for cock & 6 lb. for hen.

TNpoultrybreeder
 
I have Ideals.They show dark Birchen paternand one have hiden eb.Best lears ever of SMOL eggs.They are bossy with chicken but friendly with people.Good mothers.Need sunflower seeds so do not start picking feathers.They are much smoler then standart say.Irene is my favorite hen.I love her.
 
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Once again all, thanks for the knowledge that has been shared here so far.

Ve- I have also heard that feather picking is an issue due to space. If I get Iowa blues they will be running free range, and getting a diet of scratch/layer pullets. Will I still have to supply sunflower seeds, or anything else special with their diets?
 
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