Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[ottbjumper06]

FYI, the IBCC hit 99 members today. Next one breaks tripe digits. Woot.

Awesome! I've referred more than one person over to that website. One of our family friends is now hooked on the breed because of me and I'm proud of it!

 

[Hurley]

As of next weekend, I will be down to only Iowa Blues, a pair or trio of black rock bantams, and two "Iowacanas" for grins.

Woot! These IBs have killed my desire to have the other breeds, they just take up space that could house Iowa Blues!

 

[ottbjumper06]

Good for you Connie! How did you get rid of your other birds so fast? I can't seem to find anyone who wants cochins...

 

[mrandmrschicken]

FYI, the IBCC hit 99 members today. Next one breaks tripe digits. Woot.

That's great news! Glad for the interest.
Kari; am PMing you.
I have done some culling recently too. Didn't want to but space was the driver, have a few more to go.

 

[mrandmrschicken]

I did get my registration form mailed in for the MC show, it was late but I called Bart first and cleared it with him. He said they would take birds til they were full. So does anyone need their birds tested before exhibiting there? I can bring my chemistry set. I charge 3 ways ... 1.00 a bird or you pay for my hotel room whichever is easiest for you. For IB's, no charge but I would take a donation!

 

[Hurley]

Great, will see you there!

My guys are tested already, but thanks for the offer.

I got word that the ribbons for shows are in the mail, so we'll have some pretties for the cages.


After this weekend, I will be down to one or two non-Iowa blue chickens on my farm (plus a dozen Iowacana eggs incubating for that little separate side project). Everything else is getting dispersed. Made a chicken train today and sent out 9 birds to a couple of folks, and have the rest going to a couple people this weekend. Then will have room for setting up some breeding pens to get a spiral breeding program going. Will have a good batch of chicks to raise up to select for next spring's pens. Can't wait. Hoping to keep a nice amount of genetic material to avoid inbreeding depression. Once I have the bantams out of there, I'll have a nice little breeding coop to start at least the first group of selective breeding pens.

Oh! Also, got a fish scale in the mail, so should be able to get some weights on the birds, for my knowledge of where mine stand in the scheme of things. It's so easy to get off when eye-balling it.

It's a nice little digital hanging scale, looks like it'll work fairly snazzy.

 

[Hurley]

Anyone know anyone with Iowa Blues available near upstate New York? Trying to help a fellow out.

 

[Jake Levi]

LOTS happening here ! Great !

I have had a long week, half to going and picking up a new pup, in NW Wis, and a day resting coming back. My son did a great job keeping the chickens feeders full too. All was well here.

I am down to thwo beautiful 3 mos old Delawares to rehome. They should go to a youngster as they are so social and sweet, they are in with the same age Iowa Blues, teaching them manners.

My thoughts and observations of the temperaments of the 3 color morphs is still holding, the Birchens are the calmest, least flighty, the SP next, and the Partridge the most flighty, although at hand feeding time they are right there. It will be fascinating watching them while ranging.

Wish I could make it to the show but wishing everyone well there !

 

[karimw]

I'm still making last minute decisions on who is going, but I plan to take 5 young birds. I resorted my pullets in the breeding pens so I'll wait to set more for a while. I have a lot of F2 Rock crosses to look at now, those F1 pullets are super layers. Those girl are out with the layers now chasing grasshoppers with the rest of flock. They are much more IaB in behavior than SPPR that's for sure! Their pure Rock mothers just hang out in the coop now that I dumped their nest basket and convinced them to stop brooding.

 

[Hurley]

Got any photos of the Rock crosses? Would love to see how they are turning out.


Had chicks hatch out today, that never gets old. They're so stinking cute.

Need to get birds picked out, probably next weekend the way things are going around here.