Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[Hurley]

Should be, as if these are what I think they are genetically, eb is recessive to ER.

With shipped eggs, I've had them go a day early or late when compared to home grown eggs in the same batch and have had them stagger by 24-36 hours.

 

[Hurley]

Can I just say that I'm stupidly excited to get some silver birds back in my flock? I love my birchens, truly do, but those silver hens...

 

[karimw]

I hatched 15 out of 20 set. These were out of SP Iowa Blue hens with a SP Rock rooster. I did start collecting about a week after the hens were taken out of Rex's pen so I'm guessing that's where the black chicks came from. E or ER shouldn't be present in the grey hens, correct? Time will tell I guess, I would think the Rock influence will be obvious.

A couple of these chicks have yellow legs, but many of them are dark.



















They are a super sweet cuddly bunch.

 

[WVDan44]

Here are a few hurried photos from my cell phone of the five I just hatched. I have what appears to be four birchen but some have white under the chin while others do not. Two have what appears to be larger than normal patches of white primary wing feathers on the left wing. In the third photo, the chick in the middle is not able to stand properly. I had to help it release from the shell after several hours of struggling. It appeared almost too large for the shell. I hope it recovers, but honestly, I've never had much luck with this kind of chick making it. Another one that strugged I help out is a very small but plucky chick that made it just fine.

 

[WVDan44]

sorry, it's the second photo that shows the chick with a white wing tip and a very white patch under the rump, compared to the others.

 

[karimw]

They will grow in a white feather or two on their wing tips, but they molt those out. We are kind of watching them to see if the amount of white showing as chicks correlate to the amount of lacing they get. Very cute! I've had worse hatches with shipped eggs, good job Dan!

 

[WVDan44]

Hi Kari

Those are some beautiful chicks you've got there. You know that Connie and I are chomping at the bit to get our hands on some like those! All things in good time.

I want to make sure you know I am extremely happy with my group of chicks from the eggs I got from you. I hope you will feel okay to work with me again. Next time I think we will have better success. I feel lucky to have any, considering I made it through a power outage during a storm, and a few other "malfunctions and missteps" that normally wouldn't have happened. Also some good news, the one that was spraddle legged and couldn't stand well is doing much better and tonight it appears to have its legs under it and standing much better. Last night, I figured it would be dead when I checked on it this morning, but to my surpise it was standing with the others. So I'll consider that a good omen.

By the way, do you have any of the dark penciled birds in your lines? I seem to recall a conversation on this thread about the differences between those and the light SPs. The reason I'm asking is the subtle differences in the four dark chicks I have. Two of them have very little or no white, while two have the white chin patch and white rump plus white tipped wings. I was wondering if there is any difference in their colors or are they all birchens.

My only disappointment is that I only have one SP to work with, but I will overcome that just fine. Now I want them to grow up so I can get going with this breed!

Oh and more good news, I got my NPIP pamphlets and paperwork from the state dept. of ag. a few days ago, and the inspector called! I told you it wouldn't take long, hehee. My main breed is black australorps and I recently purchased some great looking birds - 2 pullets, 2 hens and a cockerel about 10 mths old to add to my line. They are going to put me on the right track for showing I am sure, so the NPIP is important for many reasons.

Dan

 

[Hurley]

We have started tracking the darks vs. lights as we have seen the same thing. I tagged this last batch and will continue tagging them so we can follow them as they grow. I believe Kari is doing the same thing. Will be interesting to see if we can predict the amount of lacing they will have as adults (or any other difference).

 

[karimw]

The difference in the birchen pattern are interesting. I do think the chicks with more light color on them are developing more lacing than those with less. Also most of mine grow in brownish feathers except a few that are very black. Some of my hens still have this brown in their feathers but the roosters molt out of it. The solid black babies seem to have a more elongated head and are not feathering out quite as fast. They do have very clean lacing though. I'll have to get pictures again soon. Each week brings a ton more changes!

But sure Dan, happy to send more eggs if you want them.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

I got some eggs from Kari the Sunday before last, and I have 16 chicks developing! I'll keep you posted as to how they come out! They are due in two weeks.