Cream Legbars

[sol2go]

You know, something else that may factor into it is temperature. Someone (ChicKat?) mentioned that she suspected that high temperatures during a chicken's young life may lead to big combs. Heaven knows my birds (girls and boy) have huge combs here in South Texas, and they were doing their "growing up" in 90-100F heat. And @duluthralphie was initially totally perplexed by big combs on my pullets because his pullets/hens (in Minnesota) had very small combs.

- Ant Farm

I am also familiar with this discussion of temperature relative to cockerels combs/wattles, and have heard it from very well established breeders. I just haven't found that to be true in my breeding groups, as brothers from the same hatch will show variation in comb/wattle size. Nor have I noticed that time of year makes a difference i.e. cooler weather vs warmer weather. Maybe there is not a significant temperature differential in my area.

I have found that crest size affects the shape of the comb and all things being equal, am trying to breed from hens with small neat combs.

That having been said, I am a fan of all size and manner of crests in the CL and enjoy the variety, including color variations. I know, not in keeping with the SOP, but I still like the variables.

 

[sol2go]

week 2
week 1
new hatched. Melanistic mutant, with the cinnamon stripe, through 2 weeks now. In bottom she is second from the top.

If 2nd from the top is your mutant, I think she is just gold.
The one in the bottom right corner (4th from the top) seems less typical, more melanistic based on what I see.

 

[sol2go]

I finally got around to taking pictures of the "Lyle Lovett's Hairdos".

Sorry for quality of the pictures. It was dark in the shed and the weather was not good enough to open the doors. I think you will get the idea. I did notice it was the darker ones with the larger mop top. But even the white sport has a good one started.

The crests do grow in differently. I haven't figured out a pattern or "tell" for this yet.
The photo you posted resembles the shape/angle of one hen I have, but is not typical of what I see.

 

[sol2go]

What do you experienced cream legbar breeders think of the coloring of this cockerel? It's quite different from those I've hatched in the past.

In what way is it different?

 

[sol2go]

Popping in to say you may start noticing the little crest bud as soon as they dry off from hatching. I'm starting to recognize the beginnings of a bouffant vs a more medium crest or small crest. Because of the chipmunk stripe, I'm not sure if the crest color is predictable too...

 

[duluthralphie]

Popping in to say you may start noticing the little crest bud as soon as they dry off from hatching. I'm starting to recognize the beginnings of a bouffant vs a more medium crest or small crest. Because of the chipmunk stripe, I'm not sure if the crest color is predictable too...

I am noticing the crest sooner and to be larger on the darker girls. I have no idea if that is universal with the CLB or just mine. The lighter ones seem to have a small comb before a smaller hairdo.

Jerrys, do you notice that on yours, considering ours are from the same person?

 

[jerryse]

I am noticing the crest sooner and to be larger on the darker girls. I have no idea if that is universal with the CLB or just mine. The lighter ones seem to have a small comb before a smaller hairdo.

Jerrys, do you notice that on yours, considering ours are from the same person?

I have not paid attention . Since I have hybrids hatching at the same time I just toe punch and brood them all together .

 

[duluthralphie]

I have not paid attention . Since I have hybrids hatching at the same time I just toe punch and brood them all together .

Dang,, and here I thought you would know for sure, you're so observant on everything.

 

[Bantambird]

@duluthralphie I am noticing the same on my girls, bigger crests on my darker girls, smaller crests on my lighter girls...

 

[duluthralphie]

@duluthralphie I am noticing the same on my girls, bigger crests on my darker girls, smaller crests on my lighter girls...

I am so glad you said this, I though I was losing touch with reality!

I do not know if you noticed or not, but my little white sport has a fair crest on it too.