The Araucana breed has several leg colors - from yellow to willow to black. I don't see why other breeds couldn't be accepted the same way. I would think that is up to the APA/ABA and if the bird breeds true consistently.
I agree fowlafoot/bodyflight. There are a lot more factors that go into my breeding than simply "looks". I, as well as many others, want birds that are disease resistant, hardy, good layers, great temperaments, natural ability to rear and raise their own young, etc. There's a lot more to a...
Sandy - I bet your lavender babies are growing fast. I wish you much success in your projects too!
Buster - I love your barred orp project and can't wait to see more results. It looks like you have an excellent start, which is very exciting.
Sonoran silkies - I couldn't agree with you...
I don't know any chickens that take over a year to start laying. Those are freeloaders if they take that long.
If you start with an adult breeding pair and hatch from them, those are your 1st generation offspring.
Those F1s should easily be laying within 8-9 months and you can hatch your...
Personally, I feel work on any breed continues over the lifetime. All projects do not take many years to breed true to the standard. It depends on the project, color, what you start with, etc. Some color varieties are harder to achieve and then take many generations to get the type right...
Cara, those are beauties! My understanding is the ig gene is hard to come by in the US. There are some with it, but if I recall it was in bantam varieties. I remember mention of a person in MI and another in OH that had flocks with it. I've also heard it could potentially be in the...
MP - Big Red certainly is a one of a kind. He is magnificent and a sight to behold! I have seen a lot of blue X buff orps and none have come close to him. Whatever happened in your cross was a very cool thing.
Great discussions and beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing your projects with us.
Cara, that is a tough one, but they sure would be beautiful birds.
Speckled Sussex is probably the most thought of mille fleur large fowl breed.
I know several folks, including us, are working on large fowl...
TCL - that was a neat analogy and I guess you could say I enjoyed mixing watercolors too.
Criticism of any project is good, when it is helpful and honest. It may not always be what you want to hear, but if it's honest then it's worth listening to.
UC - my goal is to get any new color...
The main thing with projects is space and then trial and error. Attempting crosses to see what the outcome is and trying again when it doesn't work out. And have fun with it!
I'm sure MP could give you better advice on red orp projects, but I worked on them briefly years ago using RIR X Buff...
I'm sorry to hear that Krista and it's a shame because we feel as passionate about the breed as those criticizing. The exception here, is we are working hard to develop it further.
I find it unfortunate that folks don't want to share their projects because I am sure there are many who would...
I think it's a shame that people are hesitant to share their projects, when so much can be learned from them. That is exactly why I shared mine, so others could watch the development and see how it's done. I guess sometimes I regret that, but ensuring some of my projects are elsewhere is...
It is clear from the history of chicken development, breeds are crossed to create new breeds and new color varieties. Most average chicken owners don't realize this or don't know. Let's talk about the development of new color varieties and your thoughts on projects. I have been heavily...