Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[iamfivewire]

i'd never heard of it, but then again, i dont read too many magazines

 

[WVDan44]

LATEST NEWS FROM RIVER CITY BLUES

My five "wild" born-in-the-brush chicks are doing well. The Mama is doing a great job raising them.

Sent seven cockerels to freezer camp today, and It has gotten kinda quiet around the place. Three more to go next week along with 34 Cornish X cockerels. Freezer will be full for winter.

Went to lock up tonight only to find a set of beady eyes shining out at me from inside one of my coops. A black Australorp hen was sitting outside in the dark run, cackling up a storm. As I approached the door, a half grown possum strolled out and made a hasty retreat. Nothing was harmed this time, but lesson learned - lock up right at dark to keep predators out of coops.

Hello out there, hello. Keep those cards and letters comin' folks!

Rooting for The Kansas City Royals this week.

WVDan

 

[iamfivewire]

glad the chickies are doin great

 

[Sseckel]

I am looking into eventually starting a breeding flock. Maybe 2 or so years from now. Right now I have been keeping a mixed flock but eventually I will whittle it down to just one or 2 breeds. Being that I am an Iowa native and current resident the Iowa Blue seems like a logical choice. I grew up on a cattle ranch breeding Black Angus Show calves with much success, now as an adult my brother handles all of the cattle and I am in need of a breeding program of my own. Insert the chickens, lol!

I am familiar with breeding to a standard and the ins and outs of line, spiral, and out breeding. However chicken genetics are a mystery to me, other than looking at appearance I have nothing in my arsenal to go on. In the upcoming months I intend to attend as many swaps and shows as possible to make contacts and educate myself before I dive in. However I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for online resources specifically relating to the genetics education or just any advice for me.

 

[karimw]

I am looking into eventually starting a breeding flock. Maybe 2 or so years from now. Right now I have been keeping a mixed flock but eventually I will whittle it down to just one or 2 breeds. Being that I am an Iowa native and current resident the Iowa Blue seems like a logical choice. I grew up on a cattle ranch breeding Black Angus Show calves with much success, now as an adult my brother handles all of the cattle and I am in need of a breeding program of my own. Insert the chickens, lol!

I am familiar with breeding to a standard and the ins and outs of line, spiral, and out breeding. However chicken genetics are a mystery to me, other than looking at appearance I have nothing in my arsenal to go on. In the upcoming months I intend to attend as many swaps and shows as possible to make contacts and educate myself before I dive in. However I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for online resources specifically relating to the genetics education or just any advice for me.

This is my favorite book on chicken color genetics.
http://www.chickencolours.com/Chicken Colour Genetics Basics.pdf

Although expensive, I never regretted the investment. I'm sure there are others, but I like the pictures and straightforward writing in this one. Be sure and order the english version, though! There are also some threads here on BYC that can help.

 

[Candy442]

Has or have any of you heard of "Acres" magazine? Wondering if this would be a good place for an article on Iowa Blues?

I have and subscribe to online version of Acreage Life....but haven't heard of "Acres"?

Here is the link to the issue I receive- http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=pre...hmNg..BCqIsA.b..l.BVqw.b.VEu68A.VEu68A.Fb4dKQ

 

[WVDan44]

Eleven days since the last post. This thread is becoming a desert island.

 

[ottbjumper06]

Anyone in need of a couple hens? I have a few that I won't be using next year. I also have some cockerels that need to be in the freezer camp but I don't have the heart to do it...

 

[Sseckel]

Oh if I wasn't in the midst of trying to move I would SOOO take you up on the hens!

 

[WVDan44]

Anyone in need of a couple hens? I have a few that I won't be using next year. I also have some cockerels that need to be in the freezer camp but I don't have the heart to do it...

I sent seven cockerels and two roosters to freezer camp a few weeks ago. Can't say I miss them. It is a lot quieter here now. I also dispatched 41 Cornish X meat birds at the same time. Winter meat is in the freezer!

I have two trios of silvers for sale if anyone back east is interested...really good looking birds that I got from Kari of Darkhorse as two day old chicks.

If anyone is interested, PM me. These are really nice 7 month old birds that have good size and have been free-ranging most of their lives.

WVDan