Very well said!
Although new to the USA, it's a long-time breed that was nearly lost, so it seems, in the UK. Very few of Punnett's early descendents were left when David Applegarth kind of rescued the breed from extinction in the 1980's I think it was. (This could be referenced on the CL Club's history page)--- In the intervening time though, unknowing - albeit well-meaning people infused other genetics to the CL to increase egg size for example, or egg production-- And even M.Pease stated somewhere or other, or maybe it was Punnett - that a brown Leghorn could be used as an out-cross. Hence - even following their formulae one could introduce crestlessness.
Poultry showing is a real two-edged sword. If it weren't for shows, many people wouldn't even see the breed. Poultry shows will get enthusiasts to work with a breed to try to 'perfect' it for the show world. So part of the popularity is probably due to Jill Rees and others successes in the UK shows allowing us to sit here in the USA and see winning birds -- and have something to model. Punett didn't create the CL and other autosexing breeds for showing - but they have their own definite appeal.
Because it is autosexing, quirky, appealing, crested, softer than silk, etc. a lot of us that are relatively new poultry-keepers, and many urban hen owners living in areas where roosters are forbidden appreciate the appeal of CLs - not to mention the blue eggs. The high price that they can bring -- is another two-edged sword. People will try to propagate the breed, for the money angle. Agreed with earlier statements that there is a difference (huge one IMO) between people who hatch chicks and people who are truly 'breeders'. But the high price may protect them to a degree and get them respect from those who only care about profit -- as well as from those who care more about the chicken profit or no.
IMO possibly some of the lines* -- including the JR line - have mixed in genetics that lighten the color - however, at the same time lessen the strength of the autosexing. As shown lately by occurrences of gender ambiguity.
Add to that -- the Poultry Exhibition only cares about - and can only care about the factual bird that the judge sees at that moment in the show cage. If someone wanted to they could breed a look-alike that perhaps didn't even lay a blue egg -- and wasn't autosexing and have a phenotype CL that lacked the genotype. Our breed is very complex...and we do have, and have had for decades most likely -- the breed in the hands of people with scant knowledge of poultry genetics. Poultry Judge couldn't know the pedigree, if the chick picture pasted on the page was even of that particular chicken as a chick - and what color the egg would be (except on rare occasions)---- And Poultry Judge probably has enough to juggle with out added considerations that are out of their immediate reach
For my part, and hopefully yours and
many others -- autosexing will be the top priority - and high production of blue eggs will follow that. how very wonderful to add on the fact that the bird could compete in a show. It goes without saying that the chickens must be very healthy and robust -- but I will say it regardless...and that applies to both the showing and the producing flocks.
Everyone who raises chickens has a different desired outcome -- That is one of the reasons that there are so very many different breeds of chickens. Some in the UK interpreted the SOP that the CL should 'look silver' - and worked to obtain a silver looking chicken - at a cost. The SOP doesn't say 'silver' for the Cream Legbar it says 'cream' - so if the interpretation of cream goes one direction versus another direction the result will have a different appearance. Numerous people are seeking a pale butter color to the hackles - chicken pickin' comes to mind as someone who has that look, and the cream has an iridescent look - it is a beautiful color and it is different from white/silver. Regardless how beautiful the chicken is-- if it isn't autosexing IMO it isn't really a Cream Legbar. If you reference the Club's webpage and look at the "Breed Guide" - the final page of the Guide has some photos of Cream chickens and those are from Chicken pickin's stock.
* Probably all our chickens have mixed in genetics - and none would match the Punnett's day CL 100%. the E-Locus is considered VERY important by fluent geneticists. It was considered that Wild type was correct for Cream Legbars. (chipmunk stripes) -- When the chipmunk pattern starts to vary and get messed up -- then it makes me suspicious of what may be on the E-Locus. JMO.
There is a black-and-white plate from an article showing the various patterns in chick down based the E-Locus. At this moment - I can't locate it -- and I don't think I put it in the Clubhouse where it would be easy to grab. If anyone has it, then please post -- and I will put it in the club house next time I encounter it.
ETA - There are people working with Jill Rees line working on the important characteristics of CLs - one example is Tim Henson in Michigan who is improving the stock that he got - I think maybe he has all that line. Not to do JR line bashing-- because our breed, regardless of line, still needs a lot of work. If someone has JR line -- they may need to work to strengthen autosexing, if someone has my birds, they may need to work to lessen eumelanine, melanin for short.
If someone wants to buy CL from a prestigeous source like GFF - they must buy JR line because that is the one that GFF settled upon. All of us have work, regardless of our chickens backgrounds-- it is just that the JR line is the one popping up with autosexing ambiguity of late. Sellers will use marketing words such as 'from Greenfire Farms' and 'Jill Rees lines' -- both as shorthand for buyers, and marketing tools.
ALL the CLs in the USA are Greenfire Farms -- (well not totally 100% - some people are building their own based on Punnett's formula, and these birds rather than being identified as project birds, are being called CL. Club VP dretd mentioned to me that it would be a favor to the breed and people who are interested in the CL to identify project birds AS project birds, because some of them are far from SOP -- most especially in type -- and type is the number 1 attribute of a breed's appearance.
Glad that you brought it up Ant Farm. :O)
Sorry there are so many pics, I get picture happy.
If anyone that is somewhat local to me is interested in CL pullets or hens I will be rehoming soon 
