Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[karimw]

I got a final reply:

Kari –
It is not a secret but it is what makes our birds ours. The best thing to do is to breed for certain traits you feel are necessary to the breed. It will be difficult as all breeding does take time for new traits to show up in future generations. Since they are not recognized by the Standard there will be many different opinions on the selections for the breed. We are sorry that we could not be of more help. Thank you.

Yeah, I think they don't select for anything....

 

[loganisle]

Just a few thoughts on the development of the breed, breeding for body type, color, etc.

I've researched and examined other "rare breed" animals (such as Rocky Mountain Horses, which I own two of, that are now in recovery). Seeing as so many of these birds seem to have the same ancestry, I would think it would behoove the fancy as a whole to 1) come up with a parent club so that they in turn can 2) develop a good solid standard and 3) consider bringing in one or two other breeds to help with improvement. Why? Because if you don't, the genetic bottleneck that we will be breeding into will quickly stymie production and the desired results.

I'm not saying to go crazy with it. As an example, if there's a breed that seems to have plenty of similarities and can improve color and size, then use it once. Use those F1 chicks to improve the next generations.

I don't know how the poultry folks do it, but dogs and horses have pedigree registries. If this were done with the birds, you would have to decide how many generations to introduce these crosses into. Normally these crosses (or "foundation" breeders) are only allowed for a certain amount of time until the breed in question has the qualities set that are needed. Then everything is bred back into the breed and all those little desirable traits are solidified. In addition, it gives enough genetic diversity that the breed as a whole shouldn't have to worry about decreased production, less hardy birds, or any of the other traits that can come about from lack of genetic diversity.

As far as the two color combos, I see no reason not to have two variations. I wouldn't want to get wild and crazy with it, after all that's why they are Iowa Blues (i.e. red or white varieties would be completely inconsistent with the dark coloring required). However if you pinch off one color without considering the genes you may be throwing out with it, I think you may miss out on a lot of benefits to the breed as a whole.

All that being said. . . I'm hoping to get my first IBs in the next few days! Assuming they hatch out like they're supposed to, that is! I'm very nervous about the hatching and excited about bringing them home!!!

 

[Hurley]

That's kind of what this thread has been about, to bring together people interested in the breed, setting a standard, and figuring out what we want to breed towards. I know that Sandhill did breed in other breeds selectively to strengthen the lines and have been working on weeding out the sports from that to breed back to type. I agree that we don't want to breed into too much of a bottleneck, obviously it results in poor viability and weakness in the line. We need to set a theoretical type/standard to breed towards so we have some goals if breeders do decide to outcross to other breeds to strengthen lines/improve traits.

I used to train/show Quarter horses back in the day, now I'm an Australian Shepherd breeder and both breeds have a rich history of bringing in stock early (or continuing as the case may be) to increase the gene pool.

Also think one thing that needs to be addressed is size. The examples I've got range markedly in size and seem to be on the small side for their intended purpose and listed weights. Would like to see the birds be a tad larger.

Obviously color is a bit wild right now, would like to see us either start a thread/page each for the two types so we can see what the majority of them look like to help us write a good standard.

We've talked previously about a breed club and I believe what we have here is the beginnings thereof, just not officially named as such. Perhaps we should form a club this spring for the purpose of penning a breed standard.

I, planned member to be, propose that the interested parties entertain their first duty - A Name! LOL

Iowa Blues Fanciers Club (IBFC)
Iowa Blues Club of America (IBCOA)
Iowa Blues Club (IBC)
We Gotz Da Blues Club

Any interest?

 

[Hurley]

Side note - what do you think, is the breed "Iowa Blue" or "Iowa Blues"?

 

[loganisle]

I think the breed is Iowa Blue as in "Iowa Blue chickens". I propose a name also: Iowa Blue Chicken Fanciers Association.

I started in Shelties almost 20 years ago. Haven't exhibited in some years, but still breeding on occassion to keep my line going. Now I've got Rocky Mountain horses and about to add these chickens too. I sorta gave up showing dogs so I could show my horse. It has been much more satisfying for me.

I'm excited to be getting in on the ground floor with the development of this breed!

 

[Hurley]

Been thinking of a workable "itinerary" (so to speak) to get things started, forming a club and getting a standard for us to work with, what do you all think?

1) Take everyone's suggestions, put them in a poll to decide for a name for an Iowa Blues club.

2) Collect 4 to 6 photographs in "show pose" of each color and sex, adults >1 year if possible to have some reference for discussing a standard - I would be happy to post them onto a reference page to have them all together and easy to view.

3) Take each section for a standard one at a time to generate a standard worthy of SOP publication, maybe set a certain day/set of days for discussion for each section so that anyone that wants to weigh in can get their input in, but to keep it organized somewhat...could potentially start a thread for discussion of a standard only and limit posting to relevant comments?.

4) At some point this year, get a website made and begin the "official" club, elect officers, work on club procedure, elect officers, etc.

5) Create a logo, website, maybe plan a summer Iowa Blues get together / swap / potluck?


I suppose you could get all the club hierarchy in line before setting the standard, too, but if we want a standard in place for this season's selections thought this made more sense.



For #1...

Possible Names:

Iowa Blues Fanciers Club (IBFC) or Iowa Blue Fanciers Club

Iowa Blues Club (IBC) or Iowa Blue Club

Iowa Blue Chicken Fanciers Association (IBCFA)

Iowa Blue Chicken Club (IBCC)

(to keep a running list - more suggestions?)

 

[Hurley]

In regards to the mention of a registry, that may be a tough one, especially with the propensity of not knowing the exact members producing each egg in many instances.
My husband and I run the American Cornsnake Registry (example page: http://herpregistry.com/acr/Registry.php?idnum=5927), started oh gosh, maybe 6 years ago now, and that one is tough enough with the numbers of hatchlings produced by each snake each year, but at least you always know the dam and typically the sire. It's awesome as an online record from many breeders and I find it very valuable for keeping records on my corn breeding projects, traces pedigrees, siblings, etc. with photos, morphs (colors/patterns). I don't know if many people would get into individually marking each chick, and how do you account for lineage? A lot of people keep pens rather than breeding pairs.

Much as I love the idea of a registry (grin), I see a lot of problems with implementing one. I could be wrong, though. If the interest is there, we can whip up an Iowa Blues Registry page for people to input their records if you want one. My husband actually has a format in place for a free/self generating registry that he put together for a few snake species already. (See Herpregistry.com for the ones done already, the ACR started as a paid site with papers generated and pedigrees much like the AKC for dogs, though it may convert to electronic everything with printable certificates.)

 

[karimw]

I concur with the term Iowa Blue Chicken as opposed to Iowa Blues Chicken but it seems natural to call them Iowa Blues (without the "chicken"). It might be interesting to try a registry, but that could be a challenge! I definitely like the Idea of an Association or Club. I'll submit IBCA or Iowa Blue Chicken Association as a possibility

 

[loganisle]

I like IBCA best! Short, sweet, and to the point!


Agree with photos of the "ideal" bird to bred for though an artist rendition might be bettered suited until a truly ideal bird is obtained. Maybe a graphic art representation...just a thought.

 

[groundpecker]

Iowa blue fanciers club