Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[Hurley]

Yep, to mine, too. I had thought the white headed one would become a cockerel, but truth be told I'm delighted she hasn't. I love the degree of white she's got! If she suddenly becomes a cockerel, well, I'll be happy with that, too, as I'm still trying to achieve what I want in a cockerel, though the two I have good things to contribute as well.

At any rate, I love this bird, can't wait to see it at maturity.

 

[karimw]

I'd be concerned about the cost as well! Some day I'd like to try the original cross. Anyone know of a chinese pheasant around?

I've reached out to Texas A&M about genetic markers...haven't heard back yet. But I've been thinking this morning, that sometimes maybe it's better not to know than to know. The mystery of the Iowa Blue history gives the breed a whispy, mysterious romanicism that would be lost if it were proven not to exist...........

What is everyone's thoughts on this? Maybe leaving this one untouched would be better?

That's great!

From what I was able to see, 13 out of 19 eggs are developing.

I have a clutch due tomorrow, pretty exciting. My wife called to say I had 4 external pips already! Fantastic. I'll keep you all posted on how they turn out!

Very nice pullets Connie!

My youngest pair of birds is growing up. I thought that I had a cockerel and a pullet, based on color and size difference young, but I'm still not seeing much comb development and they are half grown. Here are the pair now, about 2/3 the size of the big guys. This one is certainly going to be a looker, regardless. Getting nice and big. Reminds me of a bald eagle right now.

They actually did respond to me on Facebook and blamed their web designer. They can legally take un-copyrighted photos off the web and use them. The web designer obviously doesn't know anything about them. PH told me last week they would get pictures of their own birds put up.

Looks like the Poultry Hatchery doesn't really care that they are ripping off photos and representing them as their own. I emailed them asking them to remove this photo from their site. For one, it's my photo of my bird that they've plastered their name on. For two, they've altered the photo to remove the red / gold influence on the bird, enhancing what it looks like. For three, it's still not a very good representation of the breed, with squirrel tail, frost bit comb, and lack of lacing.

On second thought, maybe I should be happy that's what they are advertising. Who'd want to buy from them if that's the best representative of """their flock""" that they could find.

I loved the bird as a pet, but he was NOT kept for his contribution to the breeding pen.



Here is Bart, my old birchen cock bird. Guess I made it easy for them, having him pretty much on a white background.

Really hate that I have to do it, but my photos will get watermarked from now on. I'm just amazed that after they had one of Kari's photos up and were asked rather politely not to steal photos that they took it down and immediately put up another stolen photo and planted their watermark on it. What's the point of that? To ensure no one steals your stolen photo? It just amazes me.

 

[Hurley]

I'd be concerned about the cost as well! Some day I'd like to try the original cross. Anyone know of a chinese pheasant around?

Great minds think alike, lol. Was just looking up local pheasant suppliers. I've found Chinese ringneck pheasants, but there are several listed as "chinese pheasants" on the web. Which is THE Chinese Pheasant?


Good to hear that they are going to feature their own birds. I guess the thing that really offends me the most is them putting their watermark on my photo. That makes it seem like they are taking possession over my photograph, which irritates me. If they had asked to use the photo, I'd have welcomed them to it.

 

[Jake Levi]

For all practical purposes all pheasants in NA of the Ringnecks are 'Chinese', some strictly speaking are Manchurian. The Ringneck was imported back in the 1800s as a game bird and has worked well and is established in the midwest, including Iowa, and stocked in a great many other states. There are a number of color varieties, from white to blue backed and black. The white has been bred as a meat bird and is a bit larger then the average ringneck. There are a number of strains marketed as 'jumbo' ones, about a pound larger.

So the bird referred to as Chinese would have been a ringneck. The term Chinese was used right up until recently. There are a number of other species, all from Asia.

Theres lots of ringnecks available, check the pheasant section here on BYC. If I had more room I'd be keeping a couple favorites. Maybe when I grow up.

 

[karimw]

That's good to know Jake!

 

[Jake Levi]

That I havent grown up yet ??

 

[Jake Levi]

Actually its having senior moments.

My SP youngsters are in a mixed growout pen, and are among the most active of the group, one is Miss Curiosity, the first to check things out, its very interesting to see the interactions of a mixed group.

The coloring is changing steadily as the silver on the neck becomes more pronounced, beautiful young birds, hoping for just pullets, so far not much comb development.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

It's been busy here while I was out for the weekend! I love it. My hatch ended well. 24 new chicks, 1 E chick, 5 ER chicks, 5 e+ chicks, and 13 eb chicks!! WHOO HOOO! Two of my e+ (silver duckwing) chicks are nearly solid white with little black streaks on the head and back which are broken up with white. I'll be VERY curious to see how these finnish out. I'll get pics up of the hatch soon, especially the little white ones! This breed is just filled with new surprises........

 

[Hurley]

There are a few people on the forum looking for eggs/birds, FYI for those with eggs/birds available.


Got my first pullet egg from the next group of pullets. Woot! They should all be kicking in soon.

 

[WVDan44]

There are a few people on the forum looking for eggs/birds, FYI for those with eggs/birds available.


Got my first pullet egg from the next group of pullets. Woot! They should all be kicking in soon.

I had a conversation with a very nice lady whose last name is Byrd or Bird (not sure of the spelling). She and her husband are interested in obtaining Iowa Blues. They would like to know if there are any breeders near or in the state of GA. I have a pair that I would sell but the distance is over 10 hours, and shipping is not an option that I would choose. So, I would like to take this time to welcome these folks into the club - I understand they signed up today - and to extend my best wishes to them. So if anyone should be contacted, please do try and help them get started.

Dan