Blue Andalusian thread!

[DKPoultry]

I am looking to get into breeding purebred chickens and I do believe that this is going to be my breed of choice

Still have a little research I want to do first though. Does anyone know if there is an Andalusian Breed Club here in the states?
Also, the few birds I have now are hatchery stock... does this breed have the HUGE difference between hatchery and show stock? I am going to order the standard of perfection so I know what to look for in breeding stock and the like and I plan to attend shows when I find them close.
Thanks!

 

[cochinman2005]

Quote:
Exhibition Andalusians will have significantly better lacing than hatchery stock. Not that I am promoting my own cause, but I have an egg listing in the BYC auction area. There's a photo of the breeding birds I am using this year to give you an idea of what they should look like when you get birds from a breeder.

As far as a Breed club goes, there isn't one in the U.S. There aren't a whole lot of Exhibition Andalusians out there so it would be hard to generate the interest required for a breed club dedicated to Andalusians.

 

[DKPoultry]

Indeed! Oh they are wonderfuly marked. They also look a little lighter boned than hatchery stock? Maybe? I only have one hen who is mature, she is a black and she looks much more hefty than your girls do. Maybe I need to be buggin my friend to keep her incubator running for me so I can order some eggs... hehehehe

 

[cochinman2005]

they are a medium sized breed, with an adult cock bird weight at 7 lbs I believe. I don't have my Standard in front of me, so will double check that later tonight. They are a bit beefier than a leghorn, but not so much as a Minorca.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
Having a SOP is a good reference tool and also if you have someone who can help you by looking at the birds with you when deciding who to keep is helpful. We found that having another set of eyes can pick up something we might miss as we are around them everyday. It was recommended to us to start out with Breeder stock and go from there. I posted some pictures a page back of our 4 month old birds that were hatched this year and we have a couple who might just end up looking better than the parents.

 

[DKPoultry]

Thanks... know any good breeders or knowledgable folks in the southern MI area with this type of bird? I am REALLY bummed that I started looking into this just a tad too late and missed Fowl Fest

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
Are you looking for eggs, chicks or adults? We got chicks from Butch Gunderson to start, he is in WI- I think his web site is called Butch's Birds. Good Luck they are a neat looking bird

 

[DKPoultry]

Oh I am just starting out with this idea. Haven't got my purebred pens set up yet. We have a very mixed flock that is free range. An EE roo over everyone, so we have been hatching EE chicks this year for fun and to get the hang of the whole hatching thing. I was just helping my friend fill her hatchery order and got 5 andalusians from McMurray and thought that when we do decide to get birds to promote/show and breed that this would be an ideal breed. It is not so common, so could use more publicity, it is absolutely beautiful and has great laying qualities.

I will probably start with hatching eggs or chicks simply because they can be shipped. I have yet to find many adults around here. We just stumbled across the year old black hen last year (who was a hatchery bird as well). I have been keeping my eye out, but not looking too hard since we were not in the position to dedicate the time and space to them untill recently. I will definitely check out Butch's Birds. Thanks.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
Good Luck, it's neat to watch the rooster with the hens- he is very nice and will share treats with them before he takes any for himself!

 

[DKPoultry]

Here are pics of the birds I currently have

The black hen is 2 years old and the pullets (3 blue, 1 splash, plus 1 accidental splash cockerel) are going on a month old