Blue Andalusian thread!

[Lacy Blues]

I have never lived in a situation where I felt confident about letting my birds free range. That said, they are very watchful and alert and quick to respond to something that startles them. I don't think it would be a good idea to leave them free ranging. Supervised though, would be fine. You can train them to come when you want them to with a can of scratch grains or something like that. Put it in an empty metal coffee can and shake it so they can hear it and call them. It would need to be something they don't get all the time. Maybe some Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS) and then toss them in the litter in their coop, or wherever you want them to go to.

 

[NYREDS]

I have never lived in a situation where I felt confident about letting my birds free range. That said, they are very watchful and alert and quick to respond to something that startles them. I don't think it would be a good idea to leave them free ranging. Supervised though, would be fine. You can train them to come when you want them to with a can of scratch grains or something like that. Put it in an empty metal coffee can and shake it so they can hear it and call them. It would need to be something they don't get all the time. Maybe some Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS) and then toss them in the litter in their coop, or wherever you want them to go to.

Free Range often means Free Lunch!

 

[Lacy Blues]

Yep, that's why I've never done it with my blues!

 

[redandalusian]

My first andalusians hatched a couple weeks ago and I hatched about 15, But I didn't get a single blue. Andthey were all out of a blue x blue mating.

 

[TherryChicken]

So if the chicks come out black, what does that make them? Black andalusians? I am brand new with this breed, but here is my boy I bought from Dr James on here. Gorgeous if I must say so myself!!

 

[NYREDS]

My first andalusians hatched a couple weeks ago and I hatched about 15, But I didn't get a single blue. Andthey were all out of a blue x blue mating.

Try a splash/black mating. You'll get all blue chicks & I produced some of my best Andalusians from those matings. I foun that a splash male over black females worked produced the best coloured birds.

 

[redandalusian]

I didn't keep any splash from last year, but do you think a blue ckrl over a black hen would produce good colour.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Try a splash/black mating. You'll get all blue chicks & I produced some of my best Andalusians from those matings. I foun that a splash male over black females worked produced the best coloured birds.

My DD does this type of pairing and has hatched out some very nice looking birds for her 4-H project.

 

[Hens and Roos]

I didn't keep any splash from last year, but do you think a blue ckrl over a black hen would produce good colour.

I can't remember what my DD ended up with doing this type of mating- but black is used to help improve the lacing color- guess you could always try and see what you get. Good Luck!

 

[Lacy Blues]

If you use the black over a lighter blue, he will improve the color and lacing in some of the cases. Breeding blues is difficult to get that perfect balance between a perfectly clear slate blue ground color and then a nice strong edging of black on the feathers. Good luck.