What date was this discussed ? After the War ?
Probably after the first. That's when the Orp Standard was changed too. It was a matter of what was left to breed from, not a goal to shoot for, as in the original standards.Rocks however, were originated in the US. It took a bit of cheek to change the standard for Orps, being a British breed, that had not been recognized that long.
First cockerel is the superior bodied bird. Don't over complicate. Fix type first, then worry about color fine points. Although obvious color culls like the pullet on the right should still be considered. Backs seem long to me in pictures. Almost more Plymouth Rock then Wyandotte. I have always found this over the years too, you can't fix everything at once, keep workin on getting the type locked in, then the color, especially with a pattern as tricky as Colombian. From what I can see, I would concentrate on getting the type improved, make sure the birds are white where they're supposed to be, but have good dark fluff color at the base of their feathers. Remember even on a patterned bird more than 2/3 of the bird on the scale of points is still shape. Edit: You'll find yourself enjoying the birds more if you don't try an fix it all at once too, which is really what it's all about. Colombian Wyandottes are a big project, glad to see someone tackling them.Hoping we can carry on two converations...the one on getting rid of cushions on the PR and the Columbian coloring This is my first year to focus on breeding my flock of six...one rooster, four hens and one daughter. Attempting to utilize what I've learned this year... I was working on getting good type,tail tents, leg color, combs and color contrast and saved for those...building the barn first and then going to add more focus on color for 2014. My plan for next year was to take the rooster back to his daughters and the best cockerel to his mother and aunts. But, I've been out in the pens today studying birds for undercolor and color on the hackle up to the ear. Since it was mentioned it may take a few years to raise the hackle color up the neck, I want to try setting aside the best matches for accomplishing that as early as possible...or am I trying to do too much at one time....? The other day I posted pictures of pullets. Today I'll post the two cockerels saved back from this year's breeding...175 hatch. Since I wanted to re-evaluate for hackle to the ear...the best hackle to the ear is on the pullet with the speckles. Comparing these two, the pullet on the left needs more hackle color up the neck to the ears but is a good example of the mother hens and the progeny saved this year (4 nice pullets) that were most in line with my goals. All the pullets have a nice slate blue undercolor on their backs just before the tail feathersCockerel 1 is 7.5 months old and has less hackle color but good type, nice broad head, seems to have good stance, good leg color, nice wide body with a good silhouette. Undercolor on the back is a nice slate blue. He looks a lot like his sire and has a nicer comb.
Cockerel 2 is only 5months and has more hackle color up the neck. While his head appears smaller and his comb is underdeveloped for now he does have good good leg color and a developing body. Undercolor is also a nice slate blue on the back. He does have darker down on his rear. Second photo he is fluffing but it shows his primary feathers and tail feathers. Not sure about his lacing on the hackle but his tail feathers have a nice crisp edge.
K 1 on left and K 2 on the right...they are standing on a sloping roof to their coop so it threw their stance off a little
These are the only two cockerels I have saved back but do have 19 chicks 6 - 12 week olds that I have not worked a cull on yet and will be very strict I'm open to any advice and all suggestions, critiques anyone is willing to offer. I'm in it for the long haul.....
I always think that too Vickie..It would be the same feeling if the brits changed thier standard on RIR..because of the leftovers they had to gather up and breed from and they suddenly said they no longer needed the brick shape because they had to add something to keep them going, it would be a bit insulting..the RIR is a classic american creation, and his shape is his hallmark.....
