Breeding Buff Leghorns

[HallFamilyFarm]

Guess its too late to say, Beam me up Scotty!

They look great. Bloodlines are good. You should be doing well with these! Congradulations!

 

[silkieluver_07]

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Thanks for the compliments everyone. Seeing that I know squat about leghorns, looks like I'll have to do some in depth reading looking over the standard. Will was very nice and pulled out each wing of every bird to show the even coloring (no light shafts, no white or black in the wings/tail) He was very nice and kind to deal with

 

[ArieBLB]

Hello Hannah, They look great to begin with. Well done to buy them. Only a few of the animals I would not use if it is not necessary. I mean the Hen with spurs, in the Netherlands is a big mistake and also difficult to get rid of. This animal inherits it to the chickens and they take the space requirement for good chicks. Look at the hens to a rich and full feathered sadle cushion. I miss that in the males. It is not intended as criticism but as information that can be used to prevent your young breeding animals that you do not need. Danne can confirm that it is desirable to use animals to breed where the best results can be expected. Large quantities of breeding chickens is desirable, but only from good breeders. You have good animal to start with. The yellow ears are not a problem at this point because they were caused by feeding corn. Only by feeding corn is possible to achieve such beautiful yellow leg color. Look to the next generation to feather width. In some animals in the pictures seems to be a bit smaller. What is the problem, it can have several causes. It may be genetic, but it may be because the feathers are dry. The food can play a cause. Use food with high protein content of the chicks, 21% protein. For the animals of 8 weeks old, I go to 19% protein content. I wish you good luck and I hope you will enjoy breeding these beautiful animals. Greetings from your friend from The Netherlands. Arie

 

[danhonour]

Arie brings up an interesting topic,spurs.I have had females that have it(single spurs-not double or multiple) as hens for decades.It has always been 10% or less,they do not have it as pullets.It is a defect with a cut for showing and not a disqualification. It is such a small thing I pay no attention to it and if on an otherwise good female I breed from her and many of her daughter do not have it. It does not affect fertility or egg production.It is so far down on my list it hardly registers.On the other hand I know of a bantam breeder that I help,that had spurless males that were disqualified as cocks for not having spurs.Some of these things go back to having to double mate.Double mating is something I have always disliked and avoid doing.It is such a wasteful practice.I can see doing it for a short period to correct or compensate mate,but long continued results in sub-varieties.It wastes space,feed,and time,which most of us cannot afford to do.You can double mate(pullet bred or cockerel bred) for many things,combs,color,etc.,but why?I will always remain a fan of single mating.I think it is also misleading to have varieties in the standard that cannot be bred from a single mating.There are many such examples that could be made.

 

[danhonour]

Here is a story about four people that we feel you will like;Everybody,Somebody,Anybody,and Nobody.There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it.Somebody got angry because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Somebody would do it.But Nobody asked Anybody.It ended up that the job wasn’t done and Everybody blamed Somebody when actually Nobody asked Anybody.

 

[sunflowerenvy]

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ok so i can blame Somebody for post this

 

[ArieBLB]

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Hi Dan, thanks for the information and supplements. In the Netherlands, the spurs by a pullet ore hen is a reason for disqualification. Hence I am fear about it.
If the spurs to the hens in the States is not a problem, I can go along with the advice to use them. But only if they have very good qualities.
I am also a fan of single mating. My personal opinion is that moderate standard bred male and female animals from the same parents should be bred.

 

[danhonour]

Folks.Arie is a very good breeder of Buff Leghorns bantams.He pays great attention to details and finepoints.We are lucky he joins in often,as he brings much to the table.I have much respect for him as a fellow breeder.Thanks Arie

 

[dak]

If I may ask, how long will it take for the yellow lobe color to fade if corn is withheld from the diet? Will the leg color fade at the same rate? Thanks, Clare

 

[gallorojo]

silkieluver_07- Congratulations on the Buff Leghorn flock!!!!

I was at Whitmore Farms about a month ago, and saw those birds in person, and was VERY impressed. I was sorely tempted to buy them myself, but, I really don't have the time , or space right now. Will is a great guy to deal with, and I am glad you got them. Best of luck!!!