Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[karimw]

Dan, I see the Birchen cockerel on the top has lighter colored legs. Over time these will darken up, but remember which one he is. If your SP is a pullet that's the boy you want to cross her with. I would guess he is split to SP like his daddy since Rex has lighter legs too.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

That's an interesting observation Kari. I'm going to head home and check out my birchens, especially those that were hatched out of silver penciled eggs as I know these to be split for silver. (I marked them so I can keep track of them).

 

[karimw]

Realistically it's an educated guess, but I chose Rex because of it and it appears I was right for him at least. He has lighter eyes too. I intend to keep an eye on my current hatch to see what I get out of SP vs birchen eggs too. Before that I didn't and now they are all together again but I it will be a good experiment. Down the road it won't matter because I'll have two different flocks.

 

[WVDan44]

Dan, I see the Birchen cockerel on the top has lighter colored legs. Over time these will darken up, but remember which one he is. If your SP is a pullet that's the boy you want to cross her with. I would guess he is split to SP like his daddy since Rex has lighter legs too.

Actually it is the same chick in both photos, the legs look darker from front than from side, but I will check them out and see if I have lighter legs on one.

Funny thing, one of them hatched out with the middle toe on each foot a pink flesh color. It has gradually faded to where just the tips of the toes are now pink.

I'm pretty pleased with the sp and the largest birchen. I hope to do right by them come what may.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

If I understand correctly, the pink (white) toes are a result of the birchen gene, but these will continue to fade until they have disappeared.

Kari, Connie- Am I correct on this?

 

[Hurley]

I've had several chicks hatch with flesh colored toes, and yes they've all pigmented over time. I don't have any pink toed older IBs.

 

[WVDan44]

Dan, I see the Birchen cockerel on the top has lighter colored legs. Over time these will darken up, but remember which one he is. If your SP is a pullet that's the boy you want to cross her with. I would guess he is split to SP like his daddy since Rex has lighter legs too.

Hi Kari

I took a good long look at the "fab five" tonight, watching their legs for variance. The largest birchen, fine looking lad, actually does have lighter colored legs on the sides which are sort of a gray/rose color whereas the others are sort of dingy gray more like the front scaly part of the leg.

I don't know if that subtle difference is what you had in mind, but that is the only difference in leg color and tone that I can see.

Now the sp has a sort of putty gray/green color to its legs which is slightly different from the other four.

I'm fairly excited about working with this group when they are of age. My sp is going to occupy a place of prominence around my place, I can assure you of that.

 

[karimw]

Yes, they'll lose the pink toes as they grow up. I feel bad for the chicks with them, they get nibbled all the time. They must look like a juicy worm!
I figured the top two were the same bird, but wanted to reference the legs. There are so many variations in the chicks right now it can be a little frustrating. Bottom line is we need to get you some more so you have a wider variety to choose from.

 

[WVDan44]

Yes, they'll lose the pink toes as they grow up. I feel bad for the chicks with them, they get nibbled all the time. They must look like a juicy worm! I figured the top two were the same bird, but wanted to reference the legs. There are so many variations in the chicks right now it can be a little frustrating. Bottom line is we need to get you some more so you have a wider variety to choose from.

Hey Kari, you and Connie are my gurus so I hang on every word of wisdom you offer me.

Yeah, I was a bit concerned with the nibbling of the pink toed chick but that only lasted for about two days after hatching.

I took another look this morning in good daylight at my star prospect, the birchen K chick with the slightly lighter legs, and I'm glad I did. The legs are lighter, but not a rosy color but rather a warmer sort of gold/tannish hue. Since he is the largest and most vibrant of all the chicks, it would be really cool if he turns out to be a he and the sp turns out to be a she. That would give me a pretty good start. But then I agree that in short time, we need to get me a couple of sp breeding pairs set up. All it takes is time and money, right? LOL Oh, and a bit of luck.

 

[karimw]

Oh goodness - the pressure!
LOL we're all learning here It takes a lot of luck - especially with shipped eggs!