Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[Hurley]

So far so good, will try to get some photos of them. I need to clean out the grow out shed today while I'm between snow and rain, will try to snap a couple shots. The male is getting a lot of white and definitely looks more roosterly now. Can't wait for spring and to get them out on grass.

No peeps from the incubator yet (of course, they aren't due to start hatching until tomorrow evening, or later, but but but they're in the hatcher, where's the cheeps?!?!)

 

[Hurley]

Nope, sorry, just able to get to the cleaning now and it was too dark for decent shots. Will try to snap some of them tomorrow.

 

[Jake Levi]

Kari four pullets is an excellent start towards a flock. Its a third of what I want to finish with this fall !

Hurley where is Palmyra Wi ?? What kind of incubator do you have? I have just a GQ one now, with turner. And one without the turner for a hatcher.

I am about mid MI on the Huron Lake side, qould like to see some other IB flocks in driving distance with an overneight enroute. That can get me out within the 2 stae area. Also have family in upstate NY to visit this year so can stop in PA and Ohio.

I hope to finish one pen/brooder today and start another this week, I am planning on four of these before building the two chicken houses. Then going right into the garden season.

Its going to be a busy year !

 

[karimw]

Well, that will put my flock up to 10 and I have another hatch of 49 due next weekend. I'm not done yet

I really have to keep some Birchens for myself now too. I just am not getting as many pullets as cockerels.

 

[karimw]

Here are some pics I took of the NYD hatch yesterday.





This is the e+ pullet


Sp cockerel with side sprig.

 

[Hurley]

I have

!

Lots of cheeping from the hatcher and I can just barely make out an open egg shell, so the hatch has begun. KILLING me to not be able to watch the progress, just can't see into the big hatcher well, may have to invest in one of those big clear doors!

At any rate, I've got at least 1 chick out, 24 eggs in there. Won't know until tomorrow or so what I'll end up with, but woot that it seems to be going well!


Palmyra is in the southern kettle moraine near Whitewater, about midway between Milwaukee and Madison, south of I 94. I'm roughly 2 hours from Chicago, north west.

It's a cold, rainy, foggy, sleety morning this morning. So glad I got the coops cleaned yesterday!

Will snap some shots of the NYD birds today, hopefully.

 

[karimw]

And some shots of the SPPR/IaB crosses

 

[Hurley]

Looks like they are slower feathering, as I'd suspect coming out of the rock line, they breed for that to get the tight penciling from what I've read. Stouter legs, for sure, heavier birds, head is different. All in all, a nice start on the project and definitely have some value for working towards a bigger, meatier IB. Nice.

 

[karimw]

Yep, those girls are heartbreakers alright.

 

[Hurley]

OK, some photos of the NYD hatch chicks (including Kari's silver trio). Please ignore the yucky silver bucket, I had to grab it from under the feeder to make myself a perch for taking photos. Tail sets are good on these guys, but I made them nervous putting them up to snap pics. Only way to get them separate and still, though.

SP Pullet #1:






SP Pullet #2:




I love this pullet. Deep dark eye, lovely round, pretty head, pretty green/willow legs, good shape and body, nice pattern overall, I think. Would like her to not have quite as much black in the head, but think this will lighten with age.


SP Cockerel:






He's got a lighter eye and legs, good comb, no sprigs, luster is a blue-tinged green. He's a bit gawky/gangly at this stage, but looks like he's going to get some size to him. Got the duck wing coming in. Good amount of lacing down the front. Was looking at his fluff area, and he does have some light lacing in those feathers as well.



Some of the Birchens from the NYD hatch:





I will eat you.



And for grins: Iowacanas (IB cock x Lav Am Btm hen)



Nice lacing on these guys.


Pullet with nice big muffs.