Breeding Buff Leghorns

[ArieBLB]

Quote:
Hi, and don't forget the feather width. I like it when my birds have width feathers. The most of them are very vital.
Give it a few years and you have very nice Buff Leghorns....Arie

 

[danhonour]

I agree Arie.I cannot remember a time I did not select for wide feathering in my large fowl.Many times what I like in the breeding pen,is based on what results I get and it is not much of a consideration according to the Standard,another words a breeding point rather than an exhibition feature. I prefer smaller combs as opposed to large ones,less serrated points on the comb instead of more,a high tail instead of a rainyday low tail,etc. . One area that does have an inpact on type that is often overlooked is the legs.The leg placement has a lot to do with tilt ,balance,and symmetry.The length of leg adds style and a cockerel or pullet should be a bit taller and rangey as they settle down with age.A short legged or squatty Leghorn does not have type or style.It belongs on a Dorking or Jap bantam. Feathering is a feature that is like a double edged sword.You do not want a lot of fluffy feathers or long underfluff.If you get the underfluff to short and hard feathered like games,you get the narrow feather with much reduced surface area and a rough look.You need a wide feather to avoid that frayed look and a feather with mostly shaft and little feather webbing.A male with narrow frayed tail and sickles looks wrong and can be a hard trait to eradicate.A leghorn is a longer feathered bird and a short tail does not look right,they should not have tail depresser genes. In the large fowl,I like to see back width,skull width,good breast muscles,and a good skelletal frame.I like some length of body,but I want the back filled in to give the concave backline.Always have the level carried,tight wing,it is especially important in Leghorn bantams to have level wings that are not so long they hang way out past the body. Dan Honour

 

[ArieBLB]

Hello Dan,
You like the type as this male?

Arie

 

[danhonour]

Yes he is very good american Leghorn type.He has a good concave shape backline,well filled in on the back,before the tail (saddle feathers before the lesser sickles).His top sickles are in line with the earlobes.He has some stature (tallness) and you can see the thighs.His wing is not bad.Over all I like him.He could have a wider feather and longer sickles and lesser sickles,just to give him a little more style. DJH

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Quote:
Shane,

Sorry you lost that cockerel, he looks like he was nice. I think his offspring will do well for you as they have to carry his genetics.

 

[danhonour]

I agree with Ann,you are lucky to have made use of that male.He had a wonderful breast,nice head and neck,lovely frame,size and length of body,plus is tall with good thighs.His color was not too bad either.

 

[Buff Leghorn]

Thanks guys

Yes i am pleased i got to use him as well as my best birds came from him and the hens 1 and 2 . So i'm hoping that this cockeral back over them and over his half or maybe full sister will work wonders this year for me ....
I guess i won't know until i start hatching which i was goin to start this week but work is just to busy at the moment so ive put it of for a couple more weeks .

I really can't wait to see what comes out and compare them with what you guys hatch as well. I wish i had more buff breeders here close to me so we could compare birds and breeding would help so much ..

i have a show in june which i hope to take some cockerals and the pullet and a couple of hens too.

cheers shane

 

[Buff Leghorn]

Has anyones eggs hatched yet ???

Pictures please

Ive got mine locked up and starting to collect eggs now.


cheers shane

 

[ArieBLB]

Quote:
Hi Shane,

I have some and they ends up today....Arie

 

[The Chickinn]

Hello, I am looking into breeding Buff Leghorns and am wondering if any of you know Dan Honour's e-mail adress because I would like to e-mail him some questions.