Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[bekkanblue]

So I go to the coop this morning before work, it's still dark and I've goobered up the timer so the lights weren't on... All 8 of my IA Blues are awake and lined up at the open door like the start of a race, all facing East. Cracked me up. Just waiting for that first hint of sunshine to take off for all their important engagements. None of the rest of my flock was even awake yet. : )

 

[karimw]

So I go to the coop this morning before work, it's still dark and I've goobered up the timer so the lights weren't on... All 8 of my IA Blues are awake and lined up at the open door like the start of a race, all facing East. Cracked me up. Just waiting for that first hint of sunshine to take off for all their important engagements. None of the rest of my flock was even awake yet. : )

LOL early risers! I have several pullets who have been refusing to go to bed when the sun goes down. They like to stay out late and pick up the last bit of scratch

 

[Dirt Farmer]

So I go to the coop this morning before work, it's still dark and I've goobered up the timer so the lights weren't on... All 8 of my IA Blues are awake and lined up at the open door like the start of a race, all facing East. Cracked me up. Just waiting for that first hint of sunshine to take off for all their important engagements. None of the rest of my flock was even awake yet. : )

This morning I let the dogs out and could see the silhouettes of my IB and Dorking in the darkness, calmly scratching around the enclosed pen while a coyote stood outside calmly watching from about 10-15 feet away. An oddly peaceful scene.

 

[Sclark73]

Just put 3 IB eggs in the hatcher yesterday can definitely see movement in 2 so my fingers are crossed they hatch! Will keep you posted.

 

[ottbjumper06]

We're getting geared up for spring here. Installed the light timers this evening and spruced up the nesting boxes. Hopefully I'll get the incubators fired up in the next few weeks! These pictures aren't the greatest but somewhat representing the stock I'll be using. I kept it pretty small going into 2015- 11 Iowa Blues total.
When will 2015 memberships be due for the club?

 

[ottbjumper06]

 

[WVDan44]

The Rooster Dilemma



the wind was blowing a gale when I shot these pics this afternoon, so the tails are looking really wild. But how's this for a welcoming committee!



Here's a nice looking lad, willow legs, nice comb, nice lacing, and of good size. A bit of brown on flight feathers but not enough to disqualify him from my pen. Look at that sweet little smokey pullet.



Two pics of the same roo. His best features are his size (he has somewhat of an angular, rangy body) and he has no brown on him at all. The flaxen look is from being outside every day. From mid-breast down to the fluff at the butt he is a blue-gray. His chest markings are splotchy, and his comb is not large but that only accounts for five points on the judge's card if that matters to anyone. His legs are willow. Wind in his tail feathers!




Four pics of the same roo. I wanted you to have a hard look at him. He is been going through a slow molt and I wonder when he will ever be done with it. This roo is shorter coupled compared to the rangy one above, he has no brown at all and his feathering has remained whiter than the others even though they all spend every day outside in the sun. I know he looks rough as a cob, but I think he has enough positive features to build on. His legs are dark slate. He also has the best tail angle of the lot, even if you can't tell it because his tail is just growing out. I would like a nicer comb and better checkering on the breast.

I have two more roos. One is a nice looking bird...arguably the nicest...but I am concerned about the amount of brown on a flight feather on each wing. Still, if I had only him and another I would keep him. I couldn't get him to stand still for a photo today.

Right now, I'm thinking of the two pic roo and the four pic roo because they are of the purest color. I realize the hens may contribute more brown to offspring, but it's a process so I guess good culling and selection will pay off in the long run.

Some of you experience breeders please give me your critique of what you see. I realize the photos are not the best quality, but you know how hard it is to get these buggers to stand still, especially when they are free ranging. Which two or three should I keep?

Forgot to mention all these birds are 10 months old.

WVDan

 

[karimw]

Dan, it's sp hard to find a perfect male! At this stage, I would ignore the red and use your largest and best type rooster in the pen first this year. I prefer smaller combs to large, since mine all frost bite so badly. Choose dark eyes and slate legs, and the best tail angle if you can. I like the bottom rooster, though he made need to recover from his molt

 

[iamfivewire]

@WVDan44 : i'm not an expert at "judging" the features of the iowas , but i like the 2nd one the best of the 3

 

[iamfivewire]

here's a couple pics of our 7.5 month Charcoal boy :