Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[Jake Levi]

I dont believe that there is a standard, they arnt in the SOP that I know of, which has much to say for them.

As they are a homesteader breed I think that their conformation should contribute to that role. And the other traits also. The color should reflect the 'standard' of a birchen, black hen with silvered neck, with the roo having a black body and silver cape and some back silvering. No gold , silver trim only.

I would suggest upstanding, strong bodys able to cover ground to range, I think a brick body over a square one,

hardiness, and free ranging a must. Similar to the RIR and Chantecler just for examples.

Other suggestions?

 

[draye]

Quote:
Can you give me a drawing of that type of body? I really am intetrested in this breed. I just got rid of the single rooster that I had, he had a little gold on him under the breast area and a little on his wings, not a lot mind you, my brother has a few of his half bred chicks.
maybr Ican get started on these year after next.

 

[Jake Levi]

I dont have a drawing, but the breeds that I can think of best as showing this is the heritage RIR, Buckeyes, New Hamps and Delawares. The 'brick' shape is more conducive to getting out and foraging while giving room to pack on meat and allow for egg production. Its very indicative of a dual purpose breed.

The choice of silver or gold goes with the Birchen, both are found in different breeds, if the IB is to be a silver birchen then tolerating any gold defeats that goal.

Just thoughts on a foggy chill morning.

I havent heard much about combs, ideally for a hardy free ranging bird I would prefer a pea cushion comb, but go with whatever is most common now, I dont know what the originals had. The comb should be uniform through the breed.

Much to discuss just on what is a best configuration for a hardy homesteader breed.

 

[mrheinz77]

Jake,
Post number 1 in this thread has a description. There was some talk earlier in the thread about a proposed standard.
Jim

 

[mrandmrschicken]

you are correct, they are not in the Standard... yet... but they can still be shown as an AOV or an AOCCL. Thats what folks were doing with Serama at shows, long before they were admitted last year. So the coloring should be similar to that of a birchen Modern Game?

Quote:

 

[Jake Levi]

Hi Jim

Thats right, from Hurley who I havent heard from in some time. Has anyone heard from her?

I think its good to be looking at something, looking at the birds posted here early they look to me like the brick shape. But with variation. The RC RIR heritage ones and the Buckeyes are what I think would be a good conformation to follow, for a homestead breed.

 

[Jake Levi]

The two breeds that come readily to mind with the brick body are the RC RIR, and the Buckeye.

In the earlier threads on the RC RIR, and heritage breeds there are a number of pics of hens and roos that show this very well. Its a conformation for a free ranging homestead chicken that is much better then the brick shape. It also has room for better meat while giving room for egg production. Myself its what I want in the heritage homestead breeds.

 

[Hurley]

Sorry have been out of the loop for a bit. The year has gotten very busy, so haven't had time to frequent the forum.

That being said, a little update on my IA Blues, they are currently being housed with the rest of my flock for overwintering for ease of care and protection from the harsh winter (i.e. moved up closer to the house where I can get to them easily). I've got 3 pullets and a myriad of cockerels, always the luck. Anyway, I'll let them mature out (they really change color on me from adolescence to adulthood) to pick the prettiest cockerels for breeders, and separate them out in the spring into a breeding flock. Hoping to hatch out a fair number of them this next season to get some more to choose from. Maybe we can arrange a springtime IB egg/chick swap? I'd love to bring in other sources for genetic diversity. Currently have 1 rooster from Sandhill, the pullets and young cockerels are from Kari's eggs. Culled out the rest of the extra roosters, but still have about 5 growing up to choose from along with the girls.

Yes, I put a quote/unquote Proposed Standard at the beginning of the page mostly for discussion and to spark interest in working towards potentially showing and getting these guys in the SOP someday. Would like to show some next year, but can't do it this year (other life hurdles getting in the way).

 

[Jake Levi]

Hi

Good to see you back, come more often

you are missed !

I think that it would be excellent for those who have or will have stock for sale or swap to post what they have or will have. I am looking at a small order from Sandhill but want to get some from other sources too.

I am thinking that this spring the breed will be in better shape numbers wise then it was this past spring. But not out of the woods by a long shot.

 

[Jake Levi]

This winter would be a good time to come up with a proposed standard/guideline.

Does anyone here have any idea of how many Iowa Blues that there are right now?