Breeding Blue chickens. { Update: Pictures are on page 2!!!!!}

[Nichole77]

he is beautiful. i want a blue chicken.

 

[Kev]

Blue splash probably refers to a splash out of solid blue matings? I usually read it as that. "Splash" pretty much means just a bird with two blue genes. So you can have splash wheatens etc like speckledhen says.

I admit I imagined this guy had more brown..

But yes he has it, not as much as the ones I usually see off coloring on(the ones I am used to have REALLY obvious white or brown lacing). Not to worry about well, worrying.. everybody who tries to breed with a goal goes through that.

Off color is just a persistent and widespread problem for blacks and blues across breeds so going to the sale may not help much unless there happens to be a "serious breeder" of blacks or blues with a good line of solids there.

As for the feet, that does look faulty. Ideal is a solid colored leg and toes, with only the bottom soles showing any yellow or white. Another common problem plaguing black/blue breeders. A more simple problem of not enough pigmentation.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I'll just keep an eye out at the show for a better looking bird. If one doesn't "appear" to me, I will use him and see what he throws I guess.

I know it wasn't alot of brown, but it was there and I haven't dealt with Blues before so I do not know what is a "bad" blue and a "good" blue. LOL

Thanks everyone!

-Kim

 

[Kanchii]

He isn't a bad blue, really. If you're crossing him with black birds that will produce better quality blues that will be darker and more uniform, with better lacing. You should notice huge improvements on the blues after just the first generation. He should do fine producing some blues for you! And I wouldn't worry much about the brown, I've noticed it on plenty of roosters even at shows.

What I would personally do is breed your hens to him and keep the best blue male out of those, then sell the father, and breed from there. You'll get some good birds that way!

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Kanchii, how old do you think the offspring would have to be for me to tell their quality of blue? Would I be able to tell once they were fully feathered out, or do they need to be mature?

-Kim

 

[speckledhen]

I'd use him, see what he throws, Kim. He's a handsome young guy. Suede has a couple of faults, but when paired with his girls, throws youngsters better than himself.

 

[Kanchii]

Quote:
You'd be able to tell as soon as they get their feathers, yes. Just select for a darker more uniform blue with the nicest lacing you can find!

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Thanks everyone. I know that the off-coloring was not very much, but I know somtimes when breeding not paying attentions to the small details now can lead to bigger issues later. I just wanted opinions from those more experience with this coloring than me.

I'll keep my eyes open at the sale, if I see any good deals I may just snatch it up. I will try my current cockerel(I just call him Blue so I don't get attached) on the hen and see what comes out.

I was thinking about what you said about him throwing better blues than himself and I remembered the hens he will be breeding will not have any blue genetics to contribute. There are only Black Mottled and Black in the breed currently, so hopefully this lack of other color influence will lead to that darker more uniform blue. What do you think?

I'm pretty excited about the project. I will get a couple more pure eggs out of that pen, just for good measure. I'm trying to build up the flock and I only have a pair now. Then I'll put Blue in and see what happens.

Thanks for the comments on the bird. I think he is goofy looking right now because he is in such an awkward stage. The first time I put him in with the pullet, she flogged him and I realized he wasn't quite ready to deal with that little pistol she is just yet. LOL

She has spurs too, I have to remember to keep them trimmed for her mate's sake.

-Kim

 

[AnSfarms]

Kim,

How old is this rooster? he looks around 5-6 months? I would say the older he gets the more color you will see showing up in his hackle and saddle feathering.

I would agree to try a breeding and see if he throws a better colored blue rooster but that will take you a full season as the Giants are very slow to mature.

Bobbi Porto of Florida has some very nice exhibition line of blue giants and she is not too far from you.