Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[IowaBlueCurt]

Maybe what would be best is to continue the course we're currently on with the Birchen and Silver Penciled and leave them alone. And we can just work as a club to recognize flocks that would breed the more traditional type and flocks that would be breeding strictly to the Standard. Every breed has those showring and "production" type of flocks within their ranks, and each has a specific purpose for the breed's vitality. Take the Rhode Island Red for instance. There are the "showring" RIR and then there are the traditional functional type. This allows for those who are interested in having a breed to show to have the type they want for showing, and it allows for those who want a more traditional Iowa Blue to continue within the historical pattern. Then we could embrace both theologies without requiring the club to have to make a dicision of which type/color/variety to keep or leave behind..................the traditional flocks would not seek APA standardization within their traditional varieties, but rather would maintain those varieties as part of the historical traditions of the breed's identity.

We could have a page on our website describing the different directions a flock can go.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Here's what a Grey would look like as a pullet. Keep in mind this is NOT what the Grey Standard from the ABA describes in a hen. She'll develop into a very dark colored version of our Silver Penciled hens. The males of this coloration have a crow wing not a duckwing like the Silver Penciled or Silver Grey. This particular chick started out a chocolate color.


Here is what a Grey cockerel looks like. He has much more "white" than a typcial birchen. Also, there is more autosomal barring in the feathers until their adult feathers come in.


These next two pictures are Silver Greys. The top one from Sandhill the bottom one belongs to Kari McKay-Widdel.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

I appologize if I've made it sound these last couple of days like we have to make a choice of one or the other. I may personally prefer that we make a choice, however, it doesn't need to be that way. And it's entirely possible that is wouldn't be best to do it that way.

The more I put my thoughts to it, the more I think the club should include both breed philosophies. Let's keep on the path that has already been laid out for the APA recognition as there are many in the club that enjoy and appreciate the Birchen coloration. And let's (as a club) recognize that there are others in the club who would choose to follow a different breed philosophy and choose to breed their flock in the direction of the traditional.

Wouldn't that make a good comprimise? I don't want to see those who prefer the Birchen and the path we're on to decide to move away from the club and the breed as a whole. And I don't want to see those who prefer the traditional to become equally disenfranchised with the club. The last thing we need is a fracture over philosophical differences! This breed needs each and every breeder and member and so maybe we need to take an inclusive approach instead of a "this or that" approach.

Thoughts? Maybe this could appeal to both sides of discussion? Maybe the Standard committee could get together to decide what exactly the two different philosophies would look like to the club? Namely the APA Standard philosophy and the Traditional philosophy?

 

[ottbjumper06]

I think thats a great idea. That being said, what do we want to call the birchen because we want more lacing than the name calls for?

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

I think Connie mentioned that the judges felt Grey was the correct pattern description for our Birchen colored birds. We'd need to get the Standard Committee to finalize any actual changes in names, however maybe something like this could work out well for the club....

Modern Breed Philosophy - This breeding ideal would breed the Silver Penciled and Grey patterns as petitioned for the APA.

Traditional Breed Philosophy - This breeding ideal would breed the three traditional variations; Silver Grey, Silver Penciled, and Dark Silver (this name description would serve that color best as these variation is just a much darker version of the Silver Penciled pattern. I know it isn't in the APA as an "official" pattern name, but we wouldn't as a club be trying to get this variety admitted anyway, so it only needs to serve the purpose of differentiating these darker penciled birds from the Silver Penciled). Of this group only the Silver Penciled would be eventuallly APA recognized, the other two variations would remain club recognized.

This would neatly allow for the Birchen pattern to be called by a pattern that correctly describes the pattern without adding extra confusion to current and future breeders. All we would have to do is have the Standard Committee get together to discuss what this would look like in a finalized form and then have a page on our website devoted to clearly laying out the different breeding philosophies. It could be that simple, and serve both breeding goals.

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Thoughts?

 

[ottbjumper06]

I like that. Great job Curt

 

[Jake Levi]

I think that we should continue on as we are.

I am presently growing out my very first hatch, and watching their colors develop, it seems I have all the colors discussed and a couple others besides, so I cant say what their adult colors will be, thats months down the road. I canNOT speak as to my own experience, thats happening as I type.

As a recovering breed I dont think it is advisable to rule out anything at this time.

As to the Birchen name, I think that it is here.

I think that these discussions are very good, if nothing else they keep us thinking.

Keep the pics coming as to the different colors, both in youngsters and as adults.

Many of us are on the first climb up a learning curve.

Jake

 

[ottbjumper06]

Not to change the subject, but I'm looking for a way to identify my birds by numbers. Does anyone have any suggestions? Looking for something permanent.

 

[Hurley]

I used to use cable ties, changing them out until they were big enough for leg bands, but found that frustrating, both because you had to change them out fairly frequently as well as not having a number follow them through lifelong. I picked up wing bands this year for them and I love them! Like an ear piercing to the web of the wing (the thin skin behind the tendon at the front of the elbow. I can put them in any age chicken and they are permanent. I haven't yet have one lose one, though I'm sure it's possible if they manage to hang one up somehow, but so far so good.

I put one color in my IBs, another color in anything non-IB (including any IB crosses I make so I will always know).

They pick a little at them the first couple minutes after you apply them, then they don't seem to notice them.