8+ Iowa Blue Eggs

[mrheinz77]

Up for auction are 8+ Iowa Blue Eggs. I am part of a group trying to breed these magnificent birds back to what they once looked like. We are breeding towards a proposed standard. Hopefully in the next few years we have a qualifying show.
Iowa Blues are a dual purpose breed that are great for free ranging. The roosters take good care of their girls. My rooster has been very calm while the hens are a little more standoffish. They are getting better with the introduction of treats. I have one rooster in with 6 hens.

Fertility has been great. I guarantee fresh & fertile eggs. However, I cannot guarantee hatch-ability due to many variables out of my control after the eggs leave my hands, such as shipping & handling, incubation equipment, and incubation methods. I always pack extremely well and try to include extras. Payment is by Pay Pal only within 12 hours of the end of the auction.
PayPal [email protected]

These eggs will ship Monday Oct 31, 2011. If this date doesn't work for you, you may still bid and if you win, just let me know when you would like the eggs sent. Payment is still due within 12 hours of the end of the auction.

Good Luck and Happy Bidding

This is a picture of my rooster with his tail grown back in. It was taken with my phone so its not the best quality.

One of my pullets not related to the current line.

A new chick (They may also appear chocolate colored.)

The flock minus a hen or two.

 

[mrheinz77]

Quoted from Wikipedia

History

The Iowa Blue's exact origin is unknown, but is the subject of a folksy legend that is said to have involved the mating of a White Leghorn hen and a Pheasant.[1] This is especially unlikely considering that Leghorns are light-weight birds with white earlobes, yellow skin, and which lay white eggs.[2] They are one of the more striking New Heritage breeds, resembling Grey Junglefowl in carriage and voice with the bearing and production traits of the old heritage breed the Black Java. in Iowa Blues are have never been recognized officially by the American Poultry Association, American Bantam Association, or any other breed standard. In to the 1960s, several hatcheries around Iowa sold the breed, but after these hatcheries either closed or stopped selling them, the Iowa Blue nearly disappeared. Dedicated breed enthusiasts have preserved the breed in to the 21st century, though their numbers remain small. It is listed as "Study" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, entailing that is of conservation interest but lacks the documentation to be firmly categorized.[3]

Citation​

 

[CapricornFarm]

The coloring reminds me of silver Sussex. Very pretty!

 

[CapricornFarm]

These are rare birds, folks, make your neighbors jealous and hatch some! These should go for twice this price.

 

[mrheinz77]

Thanks Deb. Next to the McGraw these are probably the most rare American Breed. Looking back at old auctions, I have only ever seen one other person sell Iowa Blue eggs on BYC and one on ebay. Sure a few hatcheries offer them, but are they breeding towards the proposed standard? If Iowa Blue were recognized by the APA they would be Endangered instead of a Study Group by the ALBC.

Jim

 

[mrheinz77]

Updated egg count. I already have 8 eggs. Any more laid before I pack them will be included.

 

[mrheinz77]

Some current pictures

 

[CapricornFarm]

Wow, they look fabulous ! Now that's what I'm talking about! ;-)

 

[mrheinz77]

I'm up to 12 eggs now.