Hi, can we talk about just Blue Wyandottes. There are threads about BLRWs and not much about the straight Blues.
I have 12 young Blues at my farm now. Age range between 4 and 6 weeks. 4 are Blue, 7 are Black and 1 is a Splash. The Blues and Blacks are a mix of males and females and I think the Splash is a female but lets include Splash males in the discussion.
Of course I want to breed them so I have a larger flock. These came from a breeder and I want to keep all the hard work they've already done to improve the variety.
I'm not 100% certain any of the Blue ones are pullets. I know for sure that 2 are cockerels.
I think the type on these birds should be good and since I don't have 50 birds to pick and choose the 10 best, lets just say for argument's sake that type is good and I'm trying to maintain color. (I do understand that type is most important and I'm not disregarding it. Just focusing on color right now.)
I know the best mating is Blue over Blue. What if I don't have any Blue pullets here? Is it better to use a Blue roo over the Black or the Splash? Should I use them both and take only the Blues for the next generations until I get a larger flock?
Do breeders avoid Splash and Blacks when breeding Blues? Do you cull them as soon as you know their color?
Any and all breeding tips are greatly appreciated.
Another question. I have what appears to be a pullet. She's black with cream beak and legs. She's the only bird here with fully cream legs, no darkness. I was reading a thread where Mr. Turbo says not to use hens without dark on the legs because you lose the green shimmer to the Blacks' feathers. Does this apply to Blues, too? Any advice?
Here's her picture.
Here's a picture of the little flock. They move a lot so it's hard to get the all in the shot.
And here's a picture of the little Splash. This bird is very bold and funny and I'm suspecting it's a cockerel because hens are generally more shy. And are those little waddles on that face?
I have 12 young Blues at my farm now. Age range between 4 and 6 weeks. 4 are Blue, 7 are Black and 1 is a Splash. The Blues and Blacks are a mix of males and females and I think the Splash is a female but lets include Splash males in the discussion.
Of course I want to breed them so I have a larger flock. These came from a breeder and I want to keep all the hard work they've already done to improve the variety.
I'm not 100% certain any of the Blue ones are pullets. I know for sure that 2 are cockerels.
I think the type on these birds should be good and since I don't have 50 birds to pick and choose the 10 best, lets just say for argument's sake that type is good and I'm trying to maintain color. (I do understand that type is most important and I'm not disregarding it. Just focusing on color right now.)
I know the best mating is Blue over Blue. What if I don't have any Blue pullets here? Is it better to use a Blue roo over the Black or the Splash? Should I use them both and take only the Blues for the next generations until I get a larger flock?
Do breeders avoid Splash and Blacks when breeding Blues? Do you cull them as soon as you know their color?
Any and all breeding tips are greatly appreciated.
Another question. I have what appears to be a pullet. She's black with cream beak and legs. She's the only bird here with fully cream legs, no darkness. I was reading a thread where Mr. Turbo says not to use hens without dark on the legs because you lose the green shimmer to the Blacks' feathers. Does this apply to Blues, too? Any advice?
Here's her picture.
Here's a picture of the little flock. They move a lot so it's hard to get the all in the shot.
And here's a picture of the little Splash. This bird is very bold and funny and I'm suspecting it's a cockerel because hens are generally more shy. And are those little waddles on that face?