Breeding Buff Leghorns

[jake mashburn]

they came from fred zillich in mercer mo. I have some of his birds they are good birds and I have used them in with my other blood lines they have good size and tail spread. and color.

 

[danhonour]

Hi Ann,The pepper tailed female is from my long tailed line,her sire is the long tailed male you admired in my pictures.I still have her sire and hope to use him in my best matings this year.I would toe punch mark her chicks and retain her best offspring as well as keeping her too for breeding next year.This is if you want the fuller tails.I have stock at times also. That pullet is one I liked (having a richer shade of color) and she should be a fine one to use as a breeder,I am excited to know what she produces.All the birds you got were going to be used as breeders,so you know they are good.Over the years I have come to admire the richer tones of buff because they are the ones that molt out better,have under color and quill color.Dan

 

[Birch Run Farm]

I really like her look, Dan. Plus her color is awesome and she's a calm bird too. The other two are molting and not laying yet. I'll candle in 10 days to see if anything is moving.

 

[danhonour]

Since she is the only one laying you know the parentage of the chicks that hatch.If you like her,then her male offspring should be good candidates to head the matings for next year,provided they are good.Her chicks should have the best color too.Later on when the other two start laying you will have another combination and their chicks will give you a wider base to build a flock around.

 

[jake mashburn]

I have got buff leghorn and red and buff crossed chicks coming out my ears I bet I have over 100 chicks now since nov. dec. and will have plenty to sell if any one is interested. Keith

 

[Buff Leghorn]

ok guys here are the birds i will be breeding with this year . Hoping to get some nice ones out of this group.

Pullet

cockeral

Hen 1

Hens 2 and 3

Ok cockeral and pullet are out of hens 1 or 2 by the same cock bird and hens 3 is a different line all together .

Hen 3 is the older bird on the right of the picture..The pullet is the front pullet not sure about the back one as yet it's hard to get good picture off the birds while they are out and about .

Cheers shane

 

[danhonour]

Shane it looks as if you have picked out the good ones for breeding.Raise a big number to give you a good selection to pick from.You will make good progress .With the male chicks,you can be strict on culling as you will need only a few for breeding and spares,watch for good even color (keep the red down in shoulder and wingbows),lots of buff under color,buff quill shafts.Best wishes.Dan Honour

 

[jake mashburn]

Shane that one cockeral is really a good one where did you get him from and witch line is he from ,I really like him nice big earlobes and white also. let us know. Keith Bjelland

 

[Buff Leghorn]

keith he is one i bred this season just gone .

He is out of either of hens 1 or 2 and by this cockeral .

Which i don't have any more as he died on me .

i'm hoping that this cockeral will do as good of a job as his dad did and goin back to the hens from the same line should be a good thing.

I do have some other cockerals but at the moment i think they are all goin to be to dark for what i want ...
The pullet is from the same line as the cockeral so i hope they go well together she has a little peppering in her tail but not much and the cockeral is clean just a little darker then the hens but not showing red like the other cockerals .


cheers shane

 

[danhonour]

Shane,I would say you have a good plan of action.If you persist a few generations your flock should be where you want them especially in buff color.Raise numbers and give nature a chance to help you. Another thing to keep in mind is to really look over the too dark birds,before culling them see if they do not have some really good qualities (besides the color faults),like type,size,combs,or egg size/high production.Since you have these birds already,they could be bred as a separate line and the good traits worked into the other lines. However if you already have the same good traits in the better colored birds ,disregard.Look at the whole picture.Just making you think,but at the same time I think you have some good material to work with and are likily to develope a wonderful line .Good luck. Dan Honour