He is gorgeous!Mine are from two groups I bought from Greenfire in 2011/2012. They are a struggle but I am trying to hang in there. Just lost one of my two remaining roosters this morning with no explanation -- sudden death probable though. GRRRRRRRRRRR
I love the breed, but we will need more in from Spain I think to make them truly viable. Genetics are too tight right now. Anyone interested in working on this with chick swap please pm me. I still have some first and second generation laying hens in the group. And I have about 9 in the brooder now, but this breed is definitely a labor of love at this point!
I am also experimenting with adding heritage Rhode Island Red into a new hybrid pen. The rooster is gorgeous well barred 1/2 RIR 1/2 Basque. He is with his first Basque hen now.
I picked the RIR because they share comb type, yellow skin (love the bright yellow legs!), feather type, egg color and are of similar size and temperament. Also the maroon brown base looks fab in the cross! The first generation hens do not bar and I didn't keep any last year. Most carried a bit of white here and there mostly underneath and on their chest.
Oh, please no haters! I am not going to call them Basque. They do need a name though if I decide to keep going with the project---ideas?
This hopefully will add some much needed genetic health. The current rooster displays typical Basque temperament. He is friendly and fearless to the point of being obnoxious!