Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread) - Page 150

...I don't know if recessive white can be used to lighten anything.  It was my understanding that is is sort of an on/off-type thing - either you have two copies of the recessive gene and you are white or you have one copy and are a normal-colored carrier. ...

Except, this race of poulry was bred to type and standardized by the Spanish Government,. Marraduna is a color, not a simple color cropping up from a landrace. The folk who "Made" this breed from the Basque landraces knew what they were doing and did standardize the colors. Now if one were working on Llodana(sp?) Basque, maybe white would crop up. Marraduna is a gold chicken, not a white chicken.

 Karen

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3riverschick 

Except, this race of poulry was bred to type and standardized by the Spanish Government,. Marraduna is a color, not a simple color cropping up from a landrace. The folk who "Made" this breed from the Basque landraces knew what they were doing and did standardize the colors. Now if one were working on Llodana(sp?) Basque, maybe white would crop up. Marraduna is a gold chicken, not a white chicken.

 Karen

Karen,

     Not to belabor this too much, but the point I'm making is that the "folk" who raised this breed were looking for the ultimate dual purpose bird to support their needs, and color was not the concern.  So I would disagree slightly about those who "Made" this breed.  It was the decades of Basque farmers who "Made" the breed, not the recent decision to select for a standard.  It wasn't until the 1970's that Fernando Orozco decided to try and preserve this "farmyard" breed.  The birds were "selected that exhibited different colors to get different varieties. The study and selection continued into the eighties."  It wasn't until the 90's that the Basque government selected four varieties and one naked neck version, and the "standard" wasn't drafted until 2000.   That said, I appreciate your concern for conformance, and even though I believe that the "true heritage" of this bird is a farmyard landrace where color is unimportant, I support the efforts of all my Basque amigos who want to develop a standard for show in the U.S.  I would not sell hatching eggs from my lovely white hen, but will continue to enjoy her as part of my farmyard flock.  (source: click here).  Also, check out this month's Greenfire newsletter, dated August 12: "Reading the SOP for first time, one is left with the impression that the natural state of chickens is to conform to these rigorous and detailed standards. But, reality is quite different. The natural state of chickens is to change, not remain the same."  (source: Greenfire Farms, August 2012 newsletter)

Thank you bayocum. The thing that I like the most about the basque is that they still have Utility. I am also working towards keeping heat hardy breeds since it is so hot here. I am switching from Marans to These Spanish breeds. I am going to try Penes again soon.

Ron

Karen,

     Not to belabor this too much, but the point I'm making is that the "folk" who raised this breed were looking for the ultimate dual purpose bird to support their needs, and color was not the concern.  So I would disagree slightly about those who "Made" this breed.  It was the decades of Basque farmers who "Made" the breed, not the recent decision to select for a standard.  It wasn't until the 1970's that Fernando Orozco decided to try and preserve this "farmyard" breed.  The birds were "selected that exhibited different colors to get different varieties. The study and selection continued into the eighties."  It wasn't until the 90's that the Basque government selected four varieties and one naked neck version, and the "standard" wasn't drafted until 2000.   That said, I appreciate your concern for conformance, and even though I believe that the "true heritage" of this bird is a farmyard landrace where color is unimportant, I support the efforts of all my Basque amigos who want to develop a standard for show in the U.S.  I would not sell hatching eggs from my lovely white hen, but will continue to enjoy her as part of my farmyard flock.  (source: click here).  Also, check out this month's Greenfire newsletter, dated August 12: "Reading the SOP for first time, one is left with the impression that the natural state of chickens is to conform to these rigorous and detailed standards. But, reality is quite different. The natural state of chickens is to change, not remain the same."  (source: Greenfire Farms, August 2012 newsletter)

I'll have to go out and get some better pictures of the chicks from your flock later today.  I can't find anything good, but here's a couple.

I have 10 chicks from you, 9 of which are EOs.  Can you see which one does not belong?   The Australorp cockerel is gorgeous, though - shiny black-green like a feathered beetle. There are five cockerels - one Australorp, three recessive whites, and the fellow in the foreground.  There are 5 pullets - 2 nice, golden, Marraduna colored (left front and left rear above); a "mille fleur" pullet;a light, milky-colored pullet; and one of Rosie's (the chicks under my broody are smaller for some reason so a little behind in growth) which looks to be a more brown or deer-colored pullet. 

Let me say, MD, that I am THRILLED with them.

Here's a few more lousy shots.  I'll try to do better later today.  My husband and I are looking at land in the Ozarks right now and trying to put in an offer, and I am applying to go back to graduate school full-time next fall, so things are sort of insane around here. :)

Here's one of the cockerel with the "mille fleur" colored pullet on the left.

Here's the light "milky" colored pullet.  They all have nice, yellow legs. :)

As for my older, Skyline birds, I'm thinking I'll keep this cockerel.  He was the tiny one, if you remember, but he's caught up and has more width in the back.  He's got a calmer temperament, the best coloring, and nice yellow legs.  His comb points are not evenly distributed - I'm not a real fan of his comb, and the pinched tails are killing me.  I'm not 100% decided.

Here's my other possible guy from the Skyline birds.  Way too dark, but more even comb, decent size compared to the others, yellow legs, a bit assertive.  Longer tail feathers, but just as pinched.

Okay.  I'll try to take some pictures of the chicks later today.

I will post some pictures of Seiji.  How is his comb?

Ron