Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[Jake Levi]

Curt I also would be very interested what Texas A & M says on the genetic markers. I am also interested for the Icelandics.

I think it would be a great help on determining the origin of the Iowa Blues. That does need to be narrowed down, legends are nice but facts are better.

 

[Jake Levi]

We are in a MI monsoon season, two weeks nights below 57, and rain at least every other day for ten days, with a new July record being set, all that said I cant believe the humidity meter that says its 75% in my bedroom, I think its time for a new meter.

Curt mentioned that there are some of us wanting chicks and/or eggs, I am one of those, I am holding off on eggs until I get better thermometers, and maybe even a new incubator. But I am interested in some chicks if anyone can ship. I will also drive down into Ohio or Indiana to pick some up.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Hey everyone! I just got a copy of Backyard Poultry where our breed was featured under the breed focus. I think the article turned out well. There was one larger error however.........at the end of the article, they listed me as the club president. I don't know how this happened as I only told Christine and Ryan (the editor) that I was a member of the club. I didn't tell them that I was club historian either as I felt it wasn't pertinent to the article. Jim Heinz is our president and is a mighty good one at that. I'm sorry Jim!!! I did reach out to Ryan though and hopefully something will be done to remedy the situation, although honestly, I don't know what.........
In lighter news they were trilled to do the breed focus and have already recieved much enthusiasm from customers about the breed!!! Ryan asked that we keep them updated on how our breed progresses through the APA Standardization process as they have customers who have reached out to them asking for updates!!!! How exciting is that????????
Connie- I sent on your pics to Ryan and Christine as I thought they were a million times better than the ones that I had, however, it was after the cut-off!!! Huge bummer!!! Maybe when we do a follow up we can get some great pics of the breed in there...........

I have pics to post, but am having computer problems.....maybe I'll be able to get them up here tomorrow....I found a picture of my very first pair of Iowa Blues!!! I think you all will like it, although it isn't the best picture....as well as a couple of other shots of the birds. And then some pics of my lastest hatch.

Sorry to hear about the weather Jake! We've had some colder nights here in Iowa too, and I'm loving them!!!! The sun is just starting to peek it's way out as I type. Looks to be a fine day here in Iowa!

 

[WVDan44]

Here are some pics of Kari's Silver Duckwings. I'm sure you all will agree that they are fantastically beautiful!!!






I especially like this pic! Aren't they a cute couple? The duckwing hen definately has the blue grey thing going on throughout her back half of her body!

I've been doing more thinking about the color blue. Look at this hen and say this to yourself a few times; "Iowa Blue Bird...Iowa Blue Bird...Iowa Blue Bird!" Salmon colored breast, blue-gray body...reminds me of a blue bird I'd say. The fact that they could have gotten their name by that comparison is as plausible as the pheasant lore in my humble opinion. Alas it is merely conjecture, but very interesting to me and food for thought. Just have fun with it.

WVDan

 

[Hurley]

Swung by TSC today to pick up a copy of the Backyard Poultry issue. Just got done reading it. What a nice spread for the breed and really helps us look serious in our bid for recognition! I thought the last page regarding standardization was a very nice touch. Nice Job Curt!

And, yes, LOL, I saw the "President". Oops!

Ah well, to my knowledge none of us have overwhelming egos, honest error.

Got the NIPA info in the mail, going to get that filled out this weekend for entries. They said the show is limited to 1000 birds, period, that's all the cages, so best to get entries in early.

I think I'm going to enter 4 SP pullets, 1 birchen pullet, 2 SP cockerels.

They have sale cages available, not familiar with that. Do people bring older birds, no chicks or what? I could have some chicks feathering out by then to bring, but not much older, unless I bring a bunch of not great quality birchens...which probably defeats the purpose of a nice display at the show. LOL

We'll have to decide what we want to do as a display/decoration as they've mentioned they'll give us an area of prominence to showcase the breed. Think we need to configure a banner or display with photos and info, maybe some brochures.

Will probably bring a couple potted flowers, some fabric for a nice apron, etc. to try to class it up. Maybe some streamers or something over over the cages? LOL Will have to think.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

I like where you're going with that Connie!! I'll try to get some information to you for a simple brochure. Sale coops are for anything you want to sell. Chick to adult, I've seen it all! hahahaha

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Here's a fun pic of my first pair of Iowa Blues in 2001. Not the best pic, but it gives you an idea! There weren't very large, but they were the only two chicks to survive through the mail........lucky for me I ended up with one of each sex.



Here's another pic of the same hen, although she looks very dark from the nesting box shadow.


Here's a pic of the above rooster crossed with one of my Easter Egger crosses..... Quite pretty! And they were much larger than my Iowa Blue pair. You can see the IB type in this cross. As Kari says "They put a stamp on their offspring".. and this pic is proof!


And this is a pic of some IB chicks, only the brown ones are IB, the black ones were some crossbreds as was the white chick.....

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Here's a couple pics for you all to enjoy!

These are the two little white duckwing chicks that hatched out. I'll do my best to keep everyone updated with pictures as they develop.


Here's a couple of silver duckwing chicks for comparison. The duckwings that I've had hatch out so far had always looked like the chick on the left with the brown center stripe. But I now have two silver duckwings that have a nice silver stripe like the chick on the right. Maybe AR has something to play in the brown striped chick and the chick with the silver stripe is free of AR????


Here's a pic of my Silver Duckwing pullet that I recieved from Sandhill Preservation Center. This Sandhill pullet has definate "pheasant" markings coming in on her wings and back. She's very pretty I think! Notice her very blue-slate legs........something Glen's birds possess a lot of! She looks very similar to the Silver Duckwings from Kari, only slightly different. The little pullet on the right is a SD from Kari's line ........

 

[Jake Levi]

Beautiful pics everyone!!

Thanks.

I also was at TSC yesterday and got the Backyard Poultry mag, great article ! Well done.

It should generate much interest.

These are the first pics I have seen of Glenns line, very nice looking.

 

[Hurley]

I've learned from a proud mom that their son did a poster on the Iowa Blue for 4H and its been accepted to go to the State Fair. Congratulations to Ben (age 13) on his acceptance to display at State! Anyone able to make it to the Iowa State Fair be sure to stop by and visit Ben's poster display.

I had 4 lovely little Silver Penciled chicks hatch out today and set another 15. So far all have hatched out SP with 1 non-hatched one being a birchen color. I've got my one birchen pullet in the mix, the rest are SP.