Arkansas Blue egg layers

[ronott1]

I think the line I got mine from are just not good layers. I can't believe that they are such bad layers. Even my cross of Bresse and Cream Legbar lay better. So I guess the lesson is to buy from a breeder that has high production.

Try getting some from a different source.

Mine are from Crystal.

 

[gawildlife]

The egg farmer that I hatched for this year was very impressed with them. They are the highest rate blue egg layers, a bit above Cream Legbars.

These are averages so individual differences can be different.

This is good to know. As I said in my original I prefer extra large or even jumbo whites for my own use but in the past I saw a definite preference for blue then brown for out the front door sales but never considered the average EE a great layer in either number or size. Decent yes and good in winter but not great.
Next question is sources and lines to look for.

 

[caj1985]

This is good to know. As I said in my original I prefer extra large or even jumbo whites for my own use but in the past I saw a definite preference for blue then brown for out the front door sales but never considered the average EE a great layer in either number or size. Decent yes and good in winter but not great.
Next question is sources and lines to look for.

Sources/lines are going to be very limited. Only about 10 people wound up breeding these from eggs they got from the U of A. Of these breeders, I know two have totally fallen off the planet. I personally would like to find another one of the original breeders to exchange eggs with to expand my genetics (as far as they can be expanded). I have yet to come up with a good blue cockerel without red leakage.

My original hens that are pushing 3 years old are taking their first break from laying. For some reason this seemed to be the year for hard molts at my place. Even though I do not use additional lighting, mine had laid faithfully up until last month. I have splash and blue pullets covered by a splash rooster that are laying faithfully.

 

[johnderosa1]

This is good to know. As I said in my original I prefer extra large or even jumbo whites for my own use but in the past I saw a definite preference for blue then brown for out the front door sales but never considered the average EE a great layer in either number or size. Decent yes and good in winter but not great.
Next question is sources and lines to look for.

Mine are direct descendants from Crystal's line. I have 2 that I hatched from her eggs and 2 i hatched from those birds

 

[gawildlife]

Well please keep me in mind if hatching eggs or day olds become available.

 

[johnderosa1]

Well please keep me in mind if hatching eggs or day olds become available.

You cant go wrong with Crystal or Ron.... I will likely pair mine up somewhere down the line but will have limited numbers at best . My goal is to keep three or four pullets but only have two right now.

 

[Metella]

I'd also like to take some straight run day olds ! So keep me in mind too !!!

The two I have are doing great ... temps now in the 20's with lots of wind and they act like they are out on a nice fall day.

Again - while mine are not cuddly pets - they are not very skiddish like I hear about leghorns - so I am very pleased with their temperment.

 

[caj1985]

I'd also like to take some straight run day olds ! So keep me in mind too !!!

The two I have are doing great ... temps now in the 20's with lots of wind and they act like they are out on a nice fall day.

Again - while mine are not cuddly pets - they are not very skiddish like I hear about leghorns - so I am very pleased with their temperment.

Last winter when it was in the low teens for a couple of weeks, it didn't phase them at all.

 

[1muttsfan]

Last winter when it was in the low teens for a couple of weeks, it didn't phase them at all.

Hopefully they are very cold hardy - last winter we had teens to low 20's as daily highs for over 2 months! And this is so far this fall - my well-insulated beehive

 

[caj1985]

Hopefully they are very cold hardy - last winter we had teens to low 20's as daily highs for over 2 months! And this is so far this fall - my well-insulated beehive

I would say first, "YUCK!!" and second as long as they get a good diet and protection from the elements you are good. Snow doesn't seem to phase them when I let them out to free-range when we had it. No symptoms of frostbite from them last year when most of my other birds, especially my Rhodebar, wound up dubbing themselves from the freezing rain that we had over numerous sessions last winter. The snow is always easier on them than blowing, freezing rain which we had a lot of.