Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

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I'm living in WA, 40 minutes north of Seattle. I moved out here recently (and that's how I found chicken keeping). My mother-in-law has said that if there is someone nearby who is established and would like to take our bird into their breeding program, she'd gladly let them for sake of the breed (even though she thinks I'm crazy for spending this much time researching chickens). My personal preference would be if there is someone nearby with an extra roo to pass on, but of course, most of you guys appear to be in the midwest (where I am originally from).
 
Hurley said:
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. :)

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Connie, those are some fine hens you are raising, color and pattern looking great. Zeke is a fine looking cockerel - is that him in the third photo? I like that shot. You echo what I'm always saying, that you need to build the house before you paint it. Get good type and size first then work on color. These IaBs are gorgeous!
WVDan
 
Thanks, Dan. Yes, the first grouping of photos are of Zeke. He's young, but already so handsome. Big boy. Can't wait to see him fully mature!
 
IowaBlueCurt said:
I'm back in business! :) Here are a couple of pics of my new flock. Hope you enjoy.
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Looking good :) ! We are enjoying our new "smokey" babies. Rollo is already starting to crow at 10 weeks! He is looking like a nice size too. I just hope the "red" stays away from his feathers because his sister is mostly white with some "red" throughout. She is stunning, but not the right color :)

Pictures will be posted later.
 
Thanks Connie! The Iowa Blue Chicken Club's Standard Committee spent many long hours updating the Standard to incorporate new historical information, genetic understandings, as well as judge feedback from a very successful show season. This was so small undertaking, and many thanks go to the Standard Committee for their hard work and dedication.

For those of you who frequent this thead and aren't part of the club. Now is a perfect time to get involved. This breed has been neglected for many years and as such, there are many dicisions that need to be made as we more toward breed restoration, preservation, and promotion. In many breed clubs, the breed is already defined and as such there are not a lot of options to get involved in the decision making process of the breed and the breed's future. The Iowa Blue has always been different, sort of the "black sheep of the family" within the chicken world (maybe that's why so many of us relate to the Iowa Blues! haha) Anyway, we have many, many opportunities to make impactual decisions which will hopefully put the Iowa Blue on a path of prosperity for future generations to enjoy.

Get involved. And help us to leave a lasting experience for those that come after us!
 

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