Hi fairwindminishetland
Here is a little info. on the Iowa Blues from a book I have.
Iowa Blues were developed in Iowa around the turn of the twentieth century. Until World War II, developing local composite breeds was common, and the Iowa Blues is a suriving example. Campines and Plymouth Rocks probably went into its development.
There are only two books that I know of that has any infrmation on the Iowa Blues.
Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultrey Breeds
How to Raise Chickens
Here is the info. that Sand Hill Preservation Center has on them.
Iowa Blue: Gray penciled pattern, pale brown eggs, medium to moderately large single comb with six points. Please note that these are not a blue chicken. Developed near Decorah, Iowa in the early 1900's. The breed was in desperate need of new blood and I have been working for the past few years to introduce new blood. There is still a slight possibility of an off-type bird. Chick color will range from a warm cocoa brown to black to an occasional mottled one. This breed is a somewhat seasonal layer of pale brown eggs. They go in spurts. When not broody, we get lots of chicks and then all of a sudden they go broody and we get nothing. These are not recognized by the APA Standard. They do not have yellow legs. They make a nice breed for someone who wants a good forager which will set on eggs. (UNAVAILABLE FOR 2010)
Long Horn Poultry Farm
