Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[mrheinz77]

Would a single dose of the eb cause this lack of melanization? Could it be that hens exhibiting silver feathers, or a brown leakage have a single dose of the Pg gene as well?

It would be interesting to put those hens on a silver male and see if you hatch out some silver penciled offspring. Maybe they are indicators of a hen hidding the genes for the silver penciled pattern...........

My thoughts exactly. If I only had a silver cockerel. I hatched out silvers from my flock before I had my two silver hens as have others I sent eggs to. My hens (well some of them) were Kari's foundation to her current flock.

I had a hard time raising many IB chicks so I don't have tons of young stock.

I need to find somebody to raise some for me.

It seems like I raised a bunch of cockerels last year though.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

There's never a problem raising up cockerels!

 

[WVDan44]

Work is killing me, haven't been around much.

Just wanted to report 2 more silvers and 4 more birchens from Kari's eggs plus a bunch of my own birchens to raise up and select. I've got a trio of birchens from NYD of mine that are much prettier than my parent stock, so delighted to see that improvement. These will be moving forward, for sure, for the birchen line. I want to cross them on Kari's to diversify some genetics and keep selecting from there.

Kari, I owe you eggs, but the ones you wanted have stopped the second I said I'd send you some, so waiting for them to resume or else I'll send you cash or eggs of your choice.

My trio of Silvers are getting closer, looking more and more like big birds. Can't wait!


Have also got some Silver Sussex chicks growing up, can't wait to see how they mature.

I can relate to the work thing Connie. If it weren't for that nasty word, I would get a lot more done around the place LOL. Hope you cop a break soon.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Finally......Here's some pics! Below are some shots of the two silver penciled pullets that I have. They are coming along nicely. As you will see, one of my pullets has a fantastically round head! I just love it. Color is looking great as well for their age.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Here are some pics (although not the greatest) of my silver cockerel that is much lighter than the rest. He was born with the same color as the rest of my silvers, even had willow feet. Now his feet are noticably yellow with little smatterings of willow. His eyes are too light, and as you can see is VERY white throughout the front half of his body....

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Some pics of my three silver penciled cockerels. These boys are looking great! I'm super excited about them.












You can see on the cockerel up front on this last picture, the hint of a blue-grey appearance. These are coming along nicely.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

And last but not least, some shots of the whole group.

 

[karimw]

Curt!!! They are just lovely. I hope you like them Your light cockerel is a good example of a bird that is nice enough to use if he is all you had, but you do have better choices. He would cross well on the darker females. You also have some nice Birchens there too!

Jim, I think I can help you with a cockerel or ten perhaps a trade for some Langshan hatching eggs?

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Kari- I am VERY pleased with them. As you know, I had bought some stock from Ideal a few years ago (didn't keep them long), and what I have now is leaps and bounds better than what I recieved from them. You're selection of their stock is quite noticable! What is really striking me about this group of birds is how nice and sound their frames and conformations are. I wish everyone could see them in real life, they are very pleasing to the eye. And boy do they like to be outside!!!! Just like my old Sandhill stock I use to have. Very assertive when it comes to foraging.

 

[mrheinz77]

Curt!!! They are just lovely. I hope you like them Your light cockerel is a good example of a bird that is nice enough to use if he is all you had, but you do have better choices. He would cross well on the darker females. You also have some nice Birchens there too! Jim, I think I can help you with a cockerel or ten perhaps a trade for some Langshan hatching eggs?

Kari,
As soon as my Langshan decide to lay I'd be happy to swap. They have been on vacation way too long. I have 1 hen laying every other day. I could help you with a cockerel there too.