Breeding Buff Leghorns

[poultch]

Thank you Dan and Arie for the tips and advice regarding the outcross options. i really appreciate your insight

I too would like to keep within the Buff birds, but fear I would have huge inbreeding issues further down the track if I dont consider a sub group line now with the mind of bringing in those out-and-out leghorn type traits further down the track - ie creating my own outcross line that has improved type from the non buff variety. I just dont want to take a myopic approach to breeding this variety, so want to look for possible future problems and maybe starting a back up plan soon just in case.

Shane, I had this very same issue last year aswell, i may have hatched a few more than you but probably only hatched just more of the same.

Is there one with dominant white - the nice big (pullet?) closest to camera looking right in the last pic.
I too like the the 2 in the centre looking left at the campines, but it could just be the picture colour, do they on the whole seem lighter in their overalldown than your last years chicks??

thanks shane for the pics, your inspiring me to start my breeding season soon!
cheers

 

[danhonour]

I agree it is good to work with a few lines or strains.It helps with avoiding close inbreeding and keeps up vigor,egg production and health .You can keep the buff line going.Then add two new lines by crossing the Brown leghorns both ways with Buff Leghorns (male Brown on Buff females-male Buff on Brown females).You can breed them together in line,mix the two or backcross to Buffs. In order to backcross to Buffs you need to keep the Buffs going pure.

Just some possibilities.Dan H.

 

[danhonour]

Some of my Buff Leghorn chicks.Shows chick /down color. Dan H. ]

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[Buff Leghorn]

Dan your down colour looks a little light in the picture like some of mine. Is that the colour of all your chicks or will they turn out a little on the light side as adults?

I was thinking mine looked a little darker in down colour last year but some of the wing feathers are starting to come threw and they are look a good colour will take some more pictures when they have feathered up better .

shane

 

[Birch Run Farm]

I believe my two younger pullets are starting to lay now! They are a lighter color than the cock and pepper hen. I've also got them on a new feed that is 46% protein, Resolution 'Hunter kibble'. Has fish meal in it.

 

[danhonour]

Shane the picture was taken about 2 years ago,under bright light and camera flash.So they appear a bit lighter than they were.I had also used a big cock bird that was light in color but had great frame,bone and muscle.So to answer you,I have darker birds and prefer a deeper shade,so ideally the chicks could be a shade or two deeper but just as even,to the ones pictured. You can tell the light red shade and dark mahogany shades,just look over the production Reds,New Hampshires and dark show Rhode Island Reds. It might be a good idea for someone with a real good camera,to photograph a wide range of wheaton based chick down coloring,for an educational poster comparing.

 

[poultch]

thanks Dan, you really do give sound advice.

when you mention quills, is that the feather shaft colour of the base of tail feathers, coverts and sickle feathers in cockerals?

thanks again

 

[danhonour]

Quill color is the shaft color.Under color is the fluff lower part of the feather,surface color is the top part of feather or web. Root or base is really part of the surfacecolor,just the lower part next to the fluff. The American Standard of Perfections from 1905 to current,have a good section with many illustrations and glossary,you can often get these used very reasonable.

 

[Buff Leghorn]

Dan did i read in one of these 22 pages that you wrote a book of the colour buff or buff leghorns?

If so where do you sell it and can we buy a copy of it ?


cheers shane

 

[danhonour]

Hi Shane,Ian Selby is suppose to be doing the layout and printing/selling,as yet I do not think he has the Buff book done,but I have not heard from him in a few months..

Ian Selby PO box 719,New Plymouth,4340,New Zealand 0064 6 769 6780
www.poultrynz.com
email poultrynz@ xtra.co.nz

I do have 3 CD's left that have all the text to all 4 booklets on them (Buff coloration-Spanish Breeds/Minorcas-White Leghorns-and Art of Breeding. These are $20 plus $5 shipping/handling,US dollars.Dan Honour,261 Cooper Road ,Millerton New York 12546.