Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

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This is a really fun topic and I'm enjoying it greatly. I'm excited to see what others come up with. Part of what makes this project so challenging is that there are some areas where our histocial knowledge is lacking. The tail is a perfect example! And so, as time went on, breeders bred for what they liked or prefered. This is the first time in the history of the breed where breeders are coming together and trying to hammer out what the "perfect" Iowa Blue would look like. We've made fantastic steps this past year, but we've still got some work to do when it comes to fine tuning our understanding of what they should look like. This fine tuning is dependent on the breeders coming together and doing just this very thing. Sharing with eachother what they envision when they think of an Iowa Blue. I'd encourage everyone to nit-pick the sketch I drew up. Talk about what they see different. Like what Dan did. He said he sees a back that is slightly sloping. What else to people see differently than what my sketch showed? What characteristics do others like about the sketch?

Let's do some pros and cons on the sketch. And maybe when others share their outlines, we can do the same thing there? This can generate some real positive discussion I'd think.......
 
A hen silhouette from my drawing board. :) Hmm, minus the wattles, didn't sketch those in, lol...makes it look a little funny.


 
Last edited:
IowaBlueCurt said:
This is a really fun topic and I'm enjoying it greatly. I'm excited to see what others come up with. Part of what makes this project so challenging is that there are some areas where our histocial knowledge is lacking. The tail is a perfect example! And so, as time went on, breeders bred for what they liked or prefered. This is the first time in the history of the breed where breeders are coming together and trying to hammer out what the "perfect" Iowa Blue would look like. We've made fantastic steps this past year, but we've still got some work to do when it comes to fine tuning our understanding of what they should look like. This fine tuning is dependent on the breeders coming together and doing just this very thing. Sharing with eachother what they envision when they think of an Iowa Blue. I'd encourage everyone to nit-pick the sketch I drew up. Talk about what they see different. Like what Dan did. He said he sees a back that is slightly sloping. What else to people see differently than what my sketch showed? What characteristics do others like about the sketch?

Let's do some pros and cons on the sketch. And maybe when others share their outlines, we can do the same thing there? This can generate some real positive discussion I'd think.......
Click to expand...
Exactly right, Curt. I am immersing myself in the shape of these birds right now as I work on my painting of them. I think it would help with the standard committee if we had a visual to start with. Right now I call it "brainstorming". We'll start getting official in January.
 
I don't suppose there's any talk so far of working up a drawing for the cockerels yet? I have about 8 growing out right now and would love to have a sketch to go on if possible.

Right now I'm looking at size and tails. Is there anything else I should be taking into account right now?

Sorry, seems everytime I hop on here I ask a bunch of questions!
 
Sure, we can look at males too. There is such a variety of tails. I love the big tail like my Rex has, but I know the sickle feathers are too long. Sorry for the delay in getting my drawings up, I'm kind of bogged down with Christmas right now. I have a lot more time after tomorrow. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
 
Merry Christmas to all!

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Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanks Kari for your input :). I'm going to post some pictures of my cockerel from Denny later today, hopefully I can get some critique on him. I know what I think, I just want to see if I'm right first LOL. I think he's the nicest of what I have, but I'll let you be the judge.

I had my first egg from one of my IB pullets today! I do believe I'm more excited about that then anything I received under the tree this morning. Hopefully I can get the breeding pens set back up soon and I can start testing eggs for fertility.

We've had a wonderful year as a club and I'm looking forward to spending many more with you all :).
 
Congrats on your first egg! I still have a photo of mine. :)

Just got done shoveling out the chickens, again. Gave them a nice scratching area where they could get some fresh air without being chin deep in the snow. LOL They're out scratching for some mealies and crickets and having a grand time.

Juvenile pen is growing.

Can't wait til spring thaw, probably am not going to get breeding pens separated out til then. What I wouldn't give for a nice big building on this place. Someday.
 
This boy is just over 6 months old. He still has some "loose wings" going on, but otherwise what do you think of him? I don't remember his weight off the top of my head, but he is bulky.



He usually holds his head just a smidge higher than this, but that is his natural tail set


Just for kicks, this is what he looked like at 3 months old:
 

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