Breeding Buff Leghorns

[ghulst]

I raised Buff leghorn bantams in the 80's and had problem that they all would get schalie legs. My other birds never had it. have any of you had that problem?

 

[Hillside]

This is a breed I think about at times as visually they have a lot of what I can like in a chicken. I have wondered what they are like to live with or does it depend on the strain and/or how they are housed? have found that when given room some supposedly flighty breeds, like Hamburgs, are just great. The Honour birds have always impressed me. It is interesting to see those pictured on this thread that show the Rock influence. Nothing wrong there but you can see it. Remember a pullet from Curtis Oaks that had great type, decent size and very even color though on the lighter end of the spectrum. Over the years I have wondered if feather texture or ??? might work against having the same soft, bright golden buff that we see in some Cochins. Though some pictured on this thread seem to be pretty much there. Will follow this thread with interest as there are some experienced buff breeders here. If anyone has comments about management or personality would love to hear them.

 

[cochinman2005]

RE: Housing and temperament. What I've found with all my Mediterranean breeds (Andalusians, Minorcas, Leghorns), is that a good amount of room is better, at least at first. If they are housed such that you have to be in with them on a daily basis this seems to calm them down over time. My Buff Minorcas remain the flightiest of the three and I think it's the strain that I started with. I have done some work in my breeding program with the Minorcas that should lessen the flightiness, but that's for another post so that I can stay on topic here. My Andalusians are crazy as chicks, but as they mature become very tolerant of being up close and personal with me right in the pen with them. In fact they are usually underfoot and follow me around as I do chores in the evening. I guess the short answer is the more contact the better, but give them some space at first. Some of it is definitely hereditary, so using birds that are more calm in your breeding pens will help as well.

 

[jake mashburn]

Jennifer I have had buffs in the past with a little white as young chicks but mine grew out of it as adults I always like a little pepper in one or two of my females or male but one has to be carful with getting too much. I would like to see your buff from ideal when they are mature as I have never seen any of ther buff leghorns. Keith Bjelland any questions feel free to drop me a line at (360)687-9704

 

[danhonour]

[/img]Here is a cockerel of mine currently in the breeding pen this spring.Dan Honour

 

[Hillside]

Thanks for the input re. housing and temperament. Pretty much echoes my own experiences and makes Leghorn temperament sound more than workable. And Dan; THANKS for posting this cockerel. Beautiful buff and no matter the color a real honest to God Leghorn. Now that's exciting.

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Had my first buff L chick hatch this morning! Cute little bugger, it is out of my pepper tail hen and cockerel. Have a few more eggs due this weekend if the hatch. I am putting a dozen more eggs into the incubator today.

 

[danhonour]

One of my pullets in current breeding pen.I have 30 Buff Leghorn chicks just out and many more eggs set. Dan Honour

 

[graciel57]

Quote:
Thanks, Keith, I appreciate the input. I'm kind of leaning now towards the idea that this is a response on juvenile feathers to whatever e extention it's got, but I'm a novice at chicken genetics, so I may be way off. I know with turkeys that look would be triggered by the bronze allele, which is analagous to e+ in chickens, but whether wheaten can hide e+ or eb that well, I just don't know.

I'll try and remember to post photos in a few months. It's nice having a record to look back on and I don't do it enough.

Jennifer

 

[Buff Leghorn]

Dan thats a great looking pullet.

eggs are due on the 3/5/2010 starting to get excited will be the first for the year...

I can't wait to see some pic's of those chicks dan and birch run farms it will be good to compare them all together on here at about the same age.



cheers shane