Just as an observer:\Lets hear it for a new and revised version !
I really don't have any cause in this, wherever the club flows I am with ya'll.
For a show meeting, I sorta assume it'd be an Iowa show, long drive, but outside chance on being able to go, depending on when and where, or even flying out. Need planning ahead time though.
In the meantime, I would suggest that each and everyone of us look at what we have, and, try to visualize what it is that we want in an Iowa Blue.
As I said previously, I have 3 color morphs, I am open to more, what the hey !
Right up front, I will go with the flow on final colors, all I am familiar with are fine with me, really, what I am concerned about is the homesteader qualities, meat quality, ranging ability, hardiness, and laying ability. I'll tell you next summer how mine are laying. We'll see on the others.
On the size I feel there is near general agreement it needs to increase. Myself I'd like to see a mature hen at 6lbs, and wouldn't object to going over. Roosters I'd like at a minimum of 9 lbs. That's my own preference. I throw it out for consideration. But, size alone isn't all it takes to make a good meat bird, conformation is very important, I want to see a rooster having a nice brick shape, level back, chest, and breast. With legs spread far apart enough to hold that weight up and carry him around.
I also want to see that Rooster protective of his flock, I call them flockmeisters. Protect them, call them for food, and give a warning if there is danger.
The hens should have that brick shape too, goes with the size.
I am sure that they are going to have color, but, I am not going to cull a great looking hen because her color is off. I frankly don't care what her color is, as long as she has the right conformation, produces eggs and some of them will raise clutches. I will depend on her consort to provide the color the flock is aiming for. We don't eat color.
Now an aside, early on when I was reading all of these back pages I read that Glenn Drowns had indeed used the Leghorn on his flock increasing. Until I read that I was planning on ordering some chicks from him, but, I do not want Leghorn influence in my flock, its a slow uphill battle overcoming that size. Been there, finally got it done.
I passed on the Ideal birds because of the lack of uniformity of a couple other breeds I'd got from them in days of yesteryore. So, I was down on both of the hatcheries available as a source of chicks, and began looking and reading to see who has some birds I could start with. So I was able to get some hatching eggs from Kari and dispite a disastrous hatch ( way high humidity) now have the handful of no three of a kind out in the pen. A source of great interest, and fascination to watch the colors develop, almost daily. Two roosters, for sure, maybe a 3rd. Time will tell. All have a home, at least for a year or so to see how they mature, and then, to decide which way to go with them.
A lot of typing , to make one simple point, we have some real important things to decide on , before we throw the chicks out with the bath water. And these things are purely on the practical side, and color isn't anywhere involved. Lets concentrate on having a homestead breed of chicken. First.
One final point, Connie, you don't qualify to be a shmuck.Sorry. Its a sexist thing. But it is what it is.
I think I read that Glenn used Silver Penciled Rock and Silver Campine and some Egyptian Fayoumis in his crosses not any Leghorn.
I got some from this link: http://www.iowabluechickenclub.com/glenn-drowns---interview-01252013.html.
Not trying to interfere just like to keep up with what is going on.
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