Arkansas Blue egg layers

[ronott1]

She is a good mama, I'm hoping that if anything hatches in the incubator they can all go out under her

I hope so too!

It is good to have a good broody Mom

 

[1muttsfan]

Oh my lord that is so true. So much less work to have a full time nanny that works for scratch.

 

[Justso]

This is Number One and Number Four from my hatch the end of March. Out of four, I got three cockerels
They are all fine birds though from @1muttsfan
If anyone is in the Chicago area and interested in an Arkansas Blue rooster let me know. I'd be willing to meet within a couple hours drive.

 

[ronott1]

This is Number One and Number Four from my hatch the end of March. Out of four, I got three cockerels
They are all fine birds though from @1muttsfan
If anyone is in the Chicago area and interested in an Arkansas Blue rooster let me know. I'd be willing to meet within a couple hours drive.

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They are very Pretty!

 

[1muttsfan]

That's too bad! Wish I could be sure they were all going to hatch out as girls

 

[ronott1]

That's too bad! Wish I could be sure they were all going to hatch out as girls

It is the luck of the draw!

 

[1muttsfan]

If you want some more eggs let me know, the girls are laying like crazy

 

[1muttsfan]

Just as a sad update, I am no longer shipping eggs. My flock has dwindled and hatchability has become an issue due to lack of genetic diversity.
I think these birds could have been continued as a breed if someone could have maintained larger numbers, or more flocks established.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Just as a sad update, I am no longer shipping eggs. My flock has dwindled and hatchability has become an issue due to lack of genetic diversity.
I think these birds could have been continued as a breed if someone could have maintained larger numbers, or more flocks established.

Have you thought about introducing another bird to bring back in some genetic diversity? Maybe a blue Ameraucana hen proven to lay up to similar standards? One single outcross could totally save the breed!

Or maybe even one of the hatchery blue egger-types.

 

[1muttsfan]

That could certainly be done, but I do not have the facilities to properly keep birds for a breeding program. There would have to be considerable hatching numbers and a lot of culling, as well as testing hens produced for production. It was the work of years to develop this breed, and would take years to reinvigorate them - which does not seem worth the effort as there has been little interest shown in them.