Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[Hurley]

I have 32 lovely eggs from Karimw in the incubator set today. I have 10 or so chicks coming from Sandhill as well. Figure I'll start with these (all Sandhill original stock) and see what I have, as you all are doing. Will get updates posted as I have them. I don't plan to cull any until they mature feather out, so will hold them all until then

There is someone in Illinois that has a couple breeding pens of them that he started this year. He posted a couple of egg auctions up, but unfortunately I was not in a position to set eggs on that timing.

I agree that the personality of the breed should be preserved, good free rangers, friendly but aware, rapid maturing. Will likely have to work on breeding them up to size (or change the "standard" to reflect the actual size of the birds), color has a ways to go, but defintely at this point we shouldn't "throw the babies out with the bathwater", so to speak.

As to interested parties on the BYC that I've noted:

FlashPointFarm
Hurley
Jake Levi
jakobvanschagen (had the ads up and seems to be interested in working on the breed as well - his previous ad: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=467385)
KariMW
PBJmaker
Tiramisu


Looking forward to seeing what we end up with this season!

 

[Jake Levi]

Well, this is a start, I also hope to have Chicks from Sandhill, so I am wondering if we can have a couple hundred here in the states by fall?

I will keep all of mine through winter at least, bu spring reduce them to enough for breeding trios or quads.

I also think size should be something to be aware of, we want as much as we can get within the standard.

One other thing, I was checking Ideals site on another breed and noticed that although they are marked sold out for 2011 on st run and pullets, they do have roosters open. In case anyone is interested.

 

[Jake Levi]

Heres a link with some photos of Iowa Blues, good and not so good, on the coloring , slowly finding more info which I will post here,


http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Iowa/BRKIowa.html

Jake

 

[Jake Levi]

More photos from Ellsons of Sandhill Iowa Blues


http://www.ellsonsacre.com/blues.htm

 

[FlashPointFarm]

From the looks of these birds, I very much prefer Sandhill stock. I'll see if I can pull some strings to get me some.

 

[Jake Levi]

Find out anything?

I am wanting mine the end of May, or even early June.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

I probably won't see my contact until May.

 

[Jake Levi]

I am hoping to get my chicks from Sandhill the end of May.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I've posted this on another thread, but Sandhill accidently sent me an Iowa Blue with my Black Orpington order. He's a good size rooster, not sure of his weight. His temperament is wonderful.

 

[Jake Levi]

He really is a beauty,

did you want to rehome him or are you keeping him?