Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[mrandmrschicken]

Cute chicks! I have just started hatching again and have 52 developing. I'm excited to see what the spring pullets will produce. I passed out a bunch of eggs at the Iowa State Fair, but I haven't heard from anyone yet if they hatched.

Can you bring some chicks to Mason City, for the table display? I may have time to make a nice display pen for a few.

 

[karimw]

Can you bring some chicks to Mason City, for the table display? I may have time to make a nice display pen for a few.

I will see about it.

 

[Hurley]

Planning to be at the Mason City show, though not showing birds. My ones mature enough are molting, it's not pretty.

So behind on emails it's not funny. Better get to it. Have not been able to get anything accomplished with work kicking my behind. On call gets really old when you end up with 2 36 hour days in 1 week. I need a vacation.


On a happy note, did move up the next generation. I've got young birds, but they aren't mature enough to show. Snapped a few photos yesterday from moving some of the young pullets up to the layer pen to finish maturing. As soon as they acclimate, they'll get to start free ranging with the laying flock.




Probably a heterozygous smoky/silver:


One of the Iowacana F1 hens, such a sweetie.



The old rooster and one of the older hens

 

[mrandmrschicken]

Hannah Dagel, will be featured in a local MN newspaper article about her and the Iowa Blues! She is doing such an exceptional job supporting the Blue growth and preservation, we need to give her all the support we can! She will be giving the same presentation on the Iowa Blues that she delivered at the State Fair, in Spencer Iowa at the Clay County Fair ("Worlds Greatest County Fair"? She was asked to give this presentation. These are the things we need as a group to gain respect and encourage preservation.
Hannah, will not be able to be in Mason City but is planning to be in Hutchinson, MN., for their fall show.
Go Hannah!

 

[Candy442]

Hannah Dagel, will be featured in a local MN newspaper article about her and the Iowa Blues! She is doing such an exceptional job supporting the Blue growth and preservation, we need to give her all the support we can! She will be giving the same presentation on the Iowa Blues that she delivered at the State Fair, in
Spencer Iowa at the Clay County Fair ("Worlds
Greatest County Fair"? She was asked to give this
presentation. These are the things we need as a
group to gain respect and encourage preservation.

Hannah, will not be able to be in Mason City but is planning to be in Hutchinson, MN., for their fall show.
Go Hannah!

go Hannah!!!!

 

[IowaBlueCurt]

Hannah,

This is a VERY exciting time for you and for the club. Thank you for all your time and effort you've put into this project and into the breed! It thrills me to see you take charge and do what you can to bring awareness about this breed and what it has to offer to those who desire a homesteading bird. Thanks again, and I look forward to reading the article. Be sure to share it with us.

Curt Burroughs

 

[bstromgren]

My new Iowa Blue digs complete with self-designed coop and yurt constructed from trampoline frame.



"Chickaletta" the Cornish sneaked into the pic. She's always the ham (& eggs).

 

[karimw]

Planning to be at the Mason City show, though not showing birds. My ones mature enough are molting, it's not pretty.

So behind on emails it's not funny. Better get to it. Have not been able to get anything accomplished with work kicking my behind. On call gets really old when you end up with 2 36 hour days in 1 week. I need a vacation.


On a happy note, did move up the next generation. I've got young birds, but they aren't mature enough to show. Snapped a few photos yesterday from moving some of the young pullets up to the layer pen to finish maturing. As soon as they acclimate, they'll get to start free ranging with the laying flock.




Probably a heterozygous smoky/silver:


One of the Iowacana F1 hens, such a sweetie.



The old rooster and one of the older hens

Nice looking flock Connie!

 

[iamfivewire]

our roo that got injured in the dog attack in early july is doing better - not fully recovered yet tho :

 

[WVDan44]

I have a dozen cockerels approaching 6 months of age and I feel it is now time to cull. I am pleased that some are already larger than the 2 adult roos I kept for breeding this season, which is one of the traits I wanted to improve. Out of 12 cockerels, I'd say 5 or 6 are being considered, and I will cull down to 2 or possibly 3. I have a couple of very nice silvers, and a couple of kick-a-- smokys that are in the running. Deciding to go with all silvers or keep a smoky is weighing heavily. I have only two smoky pullets, both of which I may not keep. The 10 silver pullets are typical in pattern and size, with none standing out from the crowd, so I will keep a half dozen or so from my entire group of hens and pullets for next year's breeding program. I am slowly getting more organized with pens and pastures as well. I decided to send most of the culls to freezer camp instead of selling them to the public because if they are inferior, they need to be eliminated from the breed. I feel this is the best policy for the betterment of my line and ultimately, the breed. So I have this unpleasant chore to do by mid-October, and once it is over, I will be more ready than ever to move forward with a sound breeding program. Any advice or comments would be welcomed.