Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[ottbjumper06]

It's great to see this thread so active again! I like looking at the progress of other breeders and seeing how you're all coming along.

What are the shows we want to hit this year? I'd like to show at both Mason City shows, State fair, and EIPA in Iowa City but would like to go where others are going to be as well. My pullets are showing a LOT of potential this year, I'm hoping later this year and into next year to focus primarily on the roo side. With my males I need to focus on slate legs, darker eyes, clearing up the AR, tightening wings.... (wow this list could go on for a while). Anyways, I tried uploading photos from my phone but it isn't working, so I'll have to get on my computer at some point and post updated photos of my project LOL.

I'm putting my feelers out for some Charcoal stock... if anyone has anything let me know, I'd be happy to trade or buy!

 

[Jdinky]

I thought i had all pullets but this ones starting to get some white in the wings, wouldnt that mean a Roo? Born march 27th

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

That looks like pretty typical white markings that develop on the males early on.

 

[Hurley]

Grabbed some quick shots some of the flock: It was hot and windy today, so the photos aren't the best, but wanted to share some candids.

Zeke: My main cockerel for hatching eggs currently - he's young, still gangly, but the boy is stout, solid, big legs, and starting to grow into himself. He was wound for sound in these photos, so tail is straight up. It's not his best feature, but he generally does carry it lower than the photos show. I love his clarity of color, lack of AR, nice long hackles and saddle for such a young guy, nice dark eye, nice legs, wide back and chest. His chest needs to drop as he fills out, but I think he's going to mature out gorgeous. Will work on his chest pattern in future generations, but I'm looking for him to up the size and strength of the body in my upcoming generations.





And some other cockerels in the layer pen currently:





And the girls: It was HOT today, so they are panting in a couple photos as they were a little wound up, running around.







One of my favorite hens, mother of some of the pullets this year.



A 1/4 SPPR - 3/4 IB pullet:





Rooster really loves her, so forgive the missing neck/back feathers, but a nice big girl, smaller comb, nice tail set and overall bluish coloration.







Love this girl. Fix the comb, lower the tail, but lover her color, pattern, and she's got good size and body.



A very sweet young pullet that won't get more than 6 inches from my feet.

 

[aryucrazy]

Hi, I'm new here. Just got done reading the ENTIRE thread... Wow, this has come a long way.
I started reading because I was told that our sweet old lady, Sarah, was an Iowa Blue. She's super friendly, fairly big, lays huge light brown eggs fairly consistently these days. She's a wonderful bird altogether. I was wondering what any of your thoughts were on her?

Here she is with my son, playing in the rain. She's a bit darker than the birds I've seen here, and her tail isn't as upright. She's wonderful tho.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Hi, I'm new here. Just got done reading the ENTIRE thread... Wow, this has come a long way.
I started reading because I was told that our sweet old lady, Sarah, was an Iowa Blue. She's super friendly, fairly big, lays huge light brown eggs fairly consistently these days. She's a wonderful bird altogether. I was wondering what any of your thoughts were on her?

Here she is with my son, playing in the rain. She's a bit darker than the birds I've seen here, and her tail isn't as upright. She's wonderful tho.

That is some serious dedication on your part! This is a long thread with some very long posts throughout. Hopefully, you've enjoyed the conversation and found it interesting and valuable.

Now about your hen. Can you give us some background to your hen? Mainly, where you obtained her from? My initial reaction is that she is not an Iowa Blue. I could be wrong on this.......here's my thoughts and take them for whatever they are worth.

First of all, her white head on the birchen body is something we have not seen yet in the breed. The birchens were mass produced by Ideal and lacked white heads. Due to her size, her tail angle, and her silvery white head, my estimation is that she definately did not originate from Ideal hatchery. Ideal's Iowa Blue hens have very dominant melanizers which cause the head to be black on the birchen hens. Second, as you mentioned, her tail angle is much lower than what we've seen in the breed reguardless of the line. However, she is standing somewhat upright and that would lower her tail angle in the pic.

I have seen some Australorp x Silver Dorking crosses that looked extremely similar to this hen. There are quite a few different combinations that could produce a hen like this. She definately has a more stout and rounded body than we're accustomed to seeing in the Iowa Blue. I belive her body is much closer to where we'd want to be, but I haven't seen very many than mature to a size like this.

Now, that said, it is possible she's from Sandhill. He's had some birchen in his flock that have come and go in the past few years. I know his flock is free of the "black head" problem, so there is always a possibility there. If you can trace her origin to Sandhill, then it's safe to say she's an Iowa Blue (although different in color than what we've seen in the past) and would be quite valuable to a Birchen breeding pen I would think considering how white her head is and her overall size.
If you aren't able to trace her to Sandhill, then it's safe to say she's a mix (albeit a very beautiful mix!).

Ok, having said all this, that doesn't mean a hen like this can't be used to help the Iowa Blue breed (even if she isn't a purebred). If you're looking for a fun project. I would get a Silver Iowa Blue male to breed to her. Hatch out the offspring and see what results. Take the pullets out of this cross and breed them back to a Silver Iowa Blue male and you could end up with some very nice birds that would add the much needed size and lower tail angle. Let us know if you're interested in something like this. We'll do what we can to help you out.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Connie,

Thanks for sharing all your pictures!!!! You're flock is coming along very nicely. I look the look of your Silvers Connie. Keep up the good work!

 

[aryucrazy]

As far as her history, my mother-in-law obtained her from someone after an animal wiped out the entire flock except for her (poor girl). So, I cannot easily trace her back to anywhere (I don't even know exactly who she came from). I can try to find out more, but no guarantees.

I would love to breed her back to a silver, but I'm afraid at this point I lack the authority and money, as she's not technically my bird, but my mother-in-law's. If I did obtain a silver Iowa Blue roo, I could probably manage to start breeding them, but I'm not sure I could get one, especially before she gets too old to lay. I must say tho, reading this entire thread has me pretty invested in the breed. If I can help, I would love to.

 

[aryucrazy]

That post sounded extremely negative in retrospect. Sorry, it wasn't meant to be. I truly would love to try a breeding project with her, as we have an incubator and I'm already experienced well enough with brooding friendly chicks. From what I've seen of the issues you've had with size, I think she could be a big help (on a small level, of course). I am still fairly new to chicken keeping. I have only 3 of my own, 2-5 weeks in age, but have been helping with the older chickens as well (we all live together, they might as well be everyone's chickens). I may sound crazy for wanting to dive head first into a project like this.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Keep in mind, you've asked a bunch of people who've dived in head first whether or not we think you're crazy for diving in head first! hahaha If I say no, you're not crazy, then you may find yourself asking, "what did I get myself into!", but if I admit that yes, you are crazy, then I convict myself as part of that crazy!!! hahaha

On a more serious note, this breed came so very close to extinction because "veteran" chicken breeders left it behind. It wasn't in the APA and it was only regionally known before the industrialization of our food supply. That said, the majority of the Iowa Blue's breeders are newbies to the chicken world. However, that doesn't mean our membership is less capable of conservation and promotion than well established breeders. In fact, it is this group of individuals who are newer to chickens that have offered up some of our best ideas for breed promotion and conservation. They have new ideas and aren't as "afraid" to make mistakes. They aren't as set in their ways and therefore are more willing to seek advice, share questions/concerns, and overall have an openess and eagerness to be part of something bigger than themselves. And I believe this is the very thing that has allowed this breed to make such a fast, productive, and healthy comeback.

I recieve many emails from across the country of organizations who are taking notice of our breed club and want to know who we've become to strong and established in such a short amount of time. People are taking notice of the Iowa Blue Chicken Club and other breed clubs are starting to ask questions and model their own organizations after ours. It's a pretty cool time to be part of the Iowa Blue!

Now, onto a rooster (and maybe even a couple of hens to complement your female)........the biggest hurdle will be your location. Where are you located?