Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[ottbjumper06]

This is my rooster. Please feel free to throw out critiques on him as well. He is approx. 9 months old. (Excuse my nonexistent photography skills. These were taken from my phone.)

 

[karimw]

Are these two pictures of the same rooster?

They are.

 

[WVDan44]

I would like to see a frontal shot of #1, I like what I see so far.
#2 I like the comb, don't like the over all shape, tail appears to be very thin or is that some reflection on the tail feathers.
#3 is my favorite, larger breast, showy, I'd enjoy his attitude and spunk.

 

[Candy442]

They are.

I like # 3 the best as well, it seemed the second photo and the third of that series the wings are a bit different in colors or more white on the left wing ? but maybe it's just the photo

.

I also was thinking #3's legs are a bit too light or yellow, but I guess that depends on what the end standard will be of slate vs willow. Of course I am not the slightest bit knowledgeable in what would pass at a show, but that guy I like the looks of

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

We haven't had much discussion on here lately, so I'll post some pictures for discussion. What do you think of these guys? Be an honest judge now, what do you like, and what would you fix?

#1







#2




#3

Pictures are always so hard to capture the finer qualities of an animal. That said, I'll give it my best. All three of these cockerels would make fantastic sires to a breeding program, and Kari, you are in a great position for breeding! Based on the pics, I'd place them in order of 1,3,2. (I can't tell size of the birds and I would probably place them in order of size at this point just to boost that up, but without sizes on them, just looking at their physical characteristics, I'd place them as I listed above).

# 1 excells over # 3 in better body balance and tail carriage (again this is based on the pics, in person they may not be that way...) There also appears to be more "attitude" in bird # 1 over the other two birds and that speaks volumes for this character. #1 also shines over #3 in ideal earlobe color, smaller comb, and darker eyes. Areas of oppurtunity in #1 would be wings held tighter, less black in hackle and saddle areas, fuller "mane" (hackles), and longer saddle feathers. Can't see his breast, so don't know what color that has developed into.

#3 excells over #2 in better balance, lower tail set, and earlobes aren't as white as # 2. Areas of opportunity on #3 would be tighter wings, longer back, not so "upright" as it angles his wings downward and makes it harder to hold them tight (however, looking at our new color photo of Herman, there is some resemblence in stance). Longer saddles and an overall "whitening" of the hackle.saddle area would add a greater touch of class to him.

#2 has two areas that far surpass both #1 and #3 - He has the tightest wings, and the longest saddle feathers. From what I've learned, the tighter the wings, the broader the back. I am particularly pleased with how long his saddle feathers are and how they drape over this secondaries. Historical claims point to a heavy flowing "mane" that draped over the back and upper breast, and a long saddle. Most of which was super white in color. I think #2 has the longest saddle feathers I've seen so far in a male as young as him. Very cool.

Thanks for sharing Kari!

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

In my opinion (take it with a grain of salt), this pullet is the best example I have seen of the breed to date. Her color is outstanding, her breast solid and full. Back pretty level with a slight downward angle, tail angle nearly perfect. Color OUTSTANDING! Her head has great Iowa Blue character and near perfect color. Her wings are tight, back and cushion area are broad. Earlobes the right color, eyes dark, legs slate. A stunning example of the breed. Take good care of her Emily, and get everything you can out of her.

The male has great color. I especially like how white his hackle and saddle is. What I don't care for is how loose his wings are, his sickles are starting to get a little on the long side for his age, and his tail isn't as full as one would like to see. I do like his blue sheen coming out on the tail. Very nice.

Boy, I can't stop looking at that pullet. She's a looker.

 

[karimw]

Pictures are always so hard to capture the finer qualities of an animal. That said, I'll give it my best. All three of these cockerels would make fantastic sires to a breeding program, and Kari, you are in a great position for breeding! Based on the pics, I'd place them in order of 1,3,2. (I can't tell size of the birds and I would probably place them in order of size at this point just to boost that up, but without sizes on them, just looking at their physical characteristics, I'd place them as I listed above).

# 1 excells over # 3 in better body balance and tail carriage (again this is based on the pics, in person they may not be that way...) There also appears to be more "attitude" in bird # 1 over the other two birds and that speaks volumes for this character. #1 also shines over #3 in ideal earlobe color, smaller comb, and darker eyes. Areas of oppurtunity in #1 would be wings held tighter, less black in hackle and saddle areas, fuller "mane" (hackles), and longer saddle feathers. Can't see his breast, so don't know what color that has developed into.

#3 excells over #2 in better balance, lower tail set, and earlobes aren't as white as # 2. Areas of opportunity on #3 would be tighter wings, longer back, not so "upright" as it angles his wings downward and makes it harder to hold them tight (however, looking at our new color photo of Herman, there is some resemblence in stance). Longer saddles and an overall "whitening" of the hackle.saddle area would add a greater touch of class to him.

#2 has two areas that far surpass both #1 and #3 - He has the tightest wings, and the longest saddle feathers. From what I've learned, the tighter the wings, the broader the back. I am particularly pleased with how long his saddle feathers are and how they drape over this secondaries. Historical claims point to a heavy flowing "mane" that draped over the back and upper breast, and a long saddle. Most of which was super white in color. I think #2 has the longest saddle feathers I've seen so far in a male as young as him. Very cool.

Thanks for sharing Kari!

Spoken like an excellent oral reasons presenter

I feel exactly the same way.

In my opinion (take it with a grain of salt), this pullet is the best example I have seen of the breed to date. Her color is outstanding, her breast solid and full. Back pretty level with a slight downward angle, tail angle nearly perfect. Color OUTSTANDING! Her head has great Iowa Blue character and near perfect color. Her wings are tight, back and cushion area are broad. Earlobes the right color, eyes dark, legs slate. A stunning example of the breed. Take good care of her Emily, and get everything you can out of her.

The male has great color. I especially like how white his hackle and saddle is. What I don't care for is how loose his wings are, his sickles are starting to get a little on the long side for his age, and his tail isn't as full as one would like to see. I do like his blue sheen coming out on the tail. Very nice.

Boy, I can't stop looking at that pullet. She's a looker.

Such a variety in pattern! Sandhill Smokey from Curt on the left/Denny's pullet on the right. Isn't this FUN?!!

 

[ottbjumper06]

In my opinion (take it with a grain of salt), this pullet is the best example I have seen of the breed to date. Her color is outstanding, her breast solid and full. Back pretty level with a slight downward angle, tail angle nearly perfect. Color OUTSTANDING! Her head has great Iowa Blue character and near perfect color. Her wings are tight, back and cushion area are broad. Earlobes the right color, eyes dark, legs slate. A stunning example of the breed. Take good care of her Emily, and get everything you can out of her.

The male has great color. I especially like how white his hackle and saddle is. What I don't care for is how loose his wings are, his sickles are starting to get a little on the long side for his age, and his tail isn't as full as one would like to see. I do like his blue sheen coming out on the tail. Very nice.

Boy, I can't stop looking at that pullet. She's a looker.

Thanks for the words of wisdom Curt. I promise to upload photos of all of the girls soon. My Johnston pullets are looking great (now it would be nice if they would go back to laying!) None of them are quite as nice as this pullet, but I'm excited to have her in my breeding program to hopefully produce more like her.

 

[Jdinky]

My chicks that hatched yesterday

 

[Hurley]

Nice group!



Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know I've updated the IBCC website with some exciting photos. Tor Janson and Bill Muller of Seed Savers Exchange located the original color photographs of Kent Whealy's article on the History of the Iowa Blue, so instead of grainy black and white photos from back then, we now have a window into yesteryear's Iowa Blue in living detailed color. Special thanks to Tor and Bill of Seed Savers Exchange for their discovery and emailing of information to Curt and the IBCC. What an unexpected and amazing boost this gives our history!



I'm revamping the History of the Iowa Blue article to add the color photos and will have it up on the webpage soon.