Cream Legbar Working Group: Standard of Perfection

[robnorman24]

Here are two others that I have. The roo is a little lighter and the hen is not such a red color. I realize that my CLB'S are not the best but I have three different bloodlines that I am working with now. These are what I had to start with so I am going to try to breed for the best possible. I am always open for criticism and any help possible.

 

[bargain]

I don't see a picture? Could be my browser? thanks.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

I think he is referring to post 920.

 

[robnorman24]

Yes 920

 

[blackbirds13]

Quote:
I definitely do not agree that outsourcing to the Silver Leghorn is the only way one could go about breeding a true Cream Legbar flock here in the USA and this idea of breed outsourcing is why I'm definitely closing my flock and line breeding this year. There are some decent birds here in the US and and more than a few breeders getting good results. It may be slow going but we are seeing definite improvement in this breed here. I am very happy with the stock I have on hand for breeding this year. We've already seen more than a few mixed looking birds so I'm not sure I want to encourage a wholesale venture down the road you are advising but if folks feel it will help them they should do it but hopefully relay such information to anyone they sell birds or eggs to.

There will be a lot of folks that don't care enough to make the effort and there will be those that do take your advise who know what they are doing and those that don't. I for one have a different plan and am satisfied with my results thus far despite the flaws I still have to overcome. I have seen more than a few promising young roos and quite a nice number of light hackled females that others have procured or bred themselves. I think we are on our way to really improving the appearance of this breed and not just with color as there are other aspects of the breed that folks are taking into account.

I'm not sure if there could ever be a real consensus on who has the best stock at this point as so many folks have a different focus in there breeding plan; for some color is not their first priority.
I do agree with culling hard but that would be for any serious breeding plan no matter the breed or the issues involved.

 

[ChicKat]

I definitely do not agree that outsourcing to the Silver Leghorn is the only way one could go about breeding a true Cream Legbar flock here in the USA and this idea of breed outsourcing is why I'm definitely closing my flock and line breeding this year. There are some decent birds here in the US and and more than a few breeders getting good results. It may be slow going but we are seeing definite improvement in this breed here. I am very happy with the stock I have on hand for breeding this year. We've already seen more than a few mixed looking birds so I'm not sure I want to encourage a wholesale venture down the road you are advising but if folks feel it will help them they should do it but hopefully relay such information to anyone they sell birds or eggs to.

There will be a lot of folks that don't care enough to make the effort and there will be those that do take your advise who know what they are doing and those that don't. I for one have a different plan and am satisfied with my results thus far despite the flaws I still have to overcome. I have seen more than a few promising young roos and quite a nice number of light hackled females that others have procured or bred themselves. I think we are on our way to really improving the appearance of this breed and not just with color as there are other aspects of the breed that folks are taking into account.

I'm not sure if there could ever be a real consensus on who has the best stock at this point as so many folks have a different focus in there breeding plan; for some color is not their first priority.
I do agree with culling hard but that would be for any serious breeding plan no matter the breed or the issues involved.

X2 - good insights.

Somewhere I have read, either in one of my chicken books or on this forum from long-time chicken owners, that one could line breed for 14-generations without any genetic degradation in chickens (as opposed to other species).

Several people have seen improvements within their own flock in just the short time we have had them.

Two of the biggest attractors for this breed are - blue eggs, and autosexing. Outcrossing to a non-blue-egglaying breed, or a non-autosexing breed could set Cream Legbars backward.

Cull and cull hard is a way for one to improve one's stock -- but outcrossing may not be a way to improve IMO.

A better focus perhaps than on just coloration would be if there are any genetic problems in the existing Cream Legbars. As a lot of people say (including some of our own Cream Legbar owners) build the barn first and then paint it.

Blue eggs, and autosexing are more important to many Cream Legbar owners than the color.

 

[ChicKat]

Yes 920

IMO, beautiful birds....and keep us apprised of your plans and progress. I would add that hen 2 seems to have more of the 'look' -- but then computer monitors vary, and for the most part we are only dealing at this stage with photographs, and cameras and lighting varies. Nice birds, thanks for posting.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

A good breeder with a good breeding plan may be able to improve the breed with outcrossing. But a lot of people don't understand the implications out out-crossing and the amount of test-breeding required for several years to be sure of what that single out-crossing provided. I'm not saying don't do it- I'm saying know what you are getting into before you start if you choose to go this route. Myself I don't have the space. I am better off selectively breeding what I have, and occasionally bringing in new blood from trusted sources. We hope to have a breeder directory going soon for the new Cream Legbar Club, that will help. I really don't think our US birds are so far off they MUST be out-crossed to overcome their faults. They will take work, just as any new breed does.

 

[ChicKat]

A good breeder with a good breeding plan may be able to improve the breed with outcrossing. But a lot of people don't understand the implications out out-crossing and the amount of test-breeding required for several years to be sure of what that single out-crossing provided. I'm not saying don't do it- I'm saying know what you are getting into before you start if you choose to go this route. Myself I don't have the space. I am better off selectively breeding what I have, and occasionally bringing in new blood from trusted sources. We hope to have a breeder directory going soon for the new Cream Legbar Club, that will help. I really don't think our US birds are so far off they MUST be out-crossed to overcome their faults. They will take work, just as any new breed does.

 

[Dahlisgrams]

x2.

I plan to hatch as many as I can and work with the best of what I have from there, adding other stock as it becomes necessary or is deemed beneficial. I don't have the room to do outcrosses, at least at this point.