Breeding Buff Leghorns

[danhonour]

Hi Arie,The wing situation is something you have picked up on and I am looking into it.I am coming up with no answers.First the actual feathers in the wing look fine when the wing is opened up.The same birds can look alright at different times of the year.With all the predators around I keep my birds inside.I think Leghorns benefit from lots of exercise and lots of flying makes the wings strong when they have very high roosts or free range. Often when I take pictures they are fresh out of the cage/pens and the wings and tails are a bit ragged and unpreened. The wing feathers are not too long and the feathers are not narrow or twisted.I wonder if it is anything genetic or if it is more environmental?Any suggestions Arie?What would you think the selection pressure should be?What is the inheritance?

 

[Hillside]

Dan, even before you explained I looked at that picture and figured just about what you've said here. Everything looks to be alright but just messed up from being handled. It's why seasoned exhibitors coop in as early as they can; as in the night before even, as it gives the birds time to preen and put themselves together. This guy just looked like he'd not had that opportunity. Do you have floor pens or anything roomy enough that you can evaluate wings when the birds haven't been handled? Or are a lot of them basically caged which can make things hard and contribute to lack of exercise as you've mentioned. Reminds me of something I read earlier in the thread. Keith, you mentioned the numbers you sometimes have had. What kind of facility do you have that enables you to grow out that many birds? Like Dan I have to think of predators and winter where I am doesn't contribute to an easy to get to and care for situation either.

 

[Buff Leghorn]

I think the wing dropped thing is more to do with when a bird is bored and just relaxes everything if this bird is penned a lot i would think that would have a lot to do with .

what kind of perches do you have Dan ?

Do you have any that hang from the roof like a swing that helps to keep them active and makes them use parts of the body they would"nt normally use just perching in a safe pen..

It helps with the wings and gets them ballancing well....All you need a thick peice of timber and some rope or what ever you want to make it swing.

Just a thought.

shane

 

[danhonour]

I am thinking along these same lines.My coop and pens are not what I would prefer,I had to move the birds about 3 years ago and the pens and yards I had before were much better than I had realized.With Buff I think you need lots of shade,but good ole nature cannot be beat with growing out and maintaining health. I have stationary roosts that are not real high,I like the idea of a slightly swinging roost.A former neighbor had used a small chain with small snaps on the ends,he then sliced a thick garden hose and put it over the chain.It was fairly ridgid but swung a bit.The birds loved it.I completely forgot about that until your post. I think when chicks are outside they pick up grit,bugs,seeds,green plants,and fresh air,plus they can hide and avoid bullies and do not get feather picked .If it takes a lot of time and effort to find food,they are not standing around developing bad vices. From other breeders I would love to hear what works really well(yards,pens,buildings) for Leghorns. Growing young stock,breeding pens,etc.We can always learn and try things,sometimes it makes a big difference. Dan

 

[ArieBLB]

Quote:
Sorry if I have people offend by telling what I saw. I have seen more pictures from Dan's Leghorns and we have spoken about that. However in the Netherlands animals are strictly assessed on cross wings hence my observation. Animals with cross wings are lower assessed on an exhibition. They are punished because it concerns a hereditary error. I have seen it at several breeders which try there come as from for years. I find the animals of Dan monumentally nicely and he knows that. I wanted point out him only.

Sorry if anyone is thinking something else.

I hope I write it well.

Arie

 

[bacres]

Off topic sorry...
Does anyone breed Light Brown Bantam Leghorns? Also what colors can you breed to a Light Brown other than Light brown?

 

[danhonour]

Light Brown x White,can produce a wide range of colors,but most often Red Pyle Leghorn
Light Brown x Barred = Creel Leghorn
Light Brown x Blue= Blue Red Leghorn

 

[bacres]

Quote:
Do you have Light Browns?

 

[Hillside]

Arie, you write it just fine. Nothing offensive and no observations offered that were not offered constructively. By the way; read your article in Aviculture Europe and enjoyed it greatly.

 

[ArieBLB]

Quote:
Thank you that you enjoyed the article.

I hope that we can exchange our experiance about the Buff leghorns for many years and we can help each other to improve them.
It is never my intention damaging or criticising people. Possibly happens that, however, if I make a found oneself word choice if I try translate of Dutch to English. For that my apology.

Kind regards, Arie