Iowa Blues

[Hurley]

Looking forward to getting my first Iowa Blues this spring. I've got an order in to Sandhill for some chicks and hope to add some from local breeders as well.

Thanks for the photos and info on your birds. I've enjoyed the input.

 

[karimw]

I got my first 2 eggs from my 22 week old IA Blue pullets! They are a lovely brown color. The first one was frozen and cracked, but the second perfect! Haven't checked to see if it's fertile yet, but given the solid performance of the roo, I'd say it's likely.

 

[Hurley]

Woot woot!

 

[karimw]

The latest for my flock is good news

I have 5 pullet eggs in a Genesis 1588 and all 5 showed development at Day 8! The roos are doing their jobs

 

[karimw]

Just realized I haven't put pics on here in a while:

Here is my roo collection:

 

[karimw]

All 5 of the IA Blues in my spring chick hatch made it!

They are tiny, but tough!

 

[Hurley]

Gorgeous.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

I'm curious as to what other people's birds are looking like. There is such a variation among the birds I have from Privet and Ideal. One rooster had a red bleed in his feathers, so I culled him out. I have heard rumors that Ideal crossed some other breed into their line and won't admit it.

The chicks were combined from both hatcheries before I got them, so I don't know what bird came from which hatchery.

I haven't weighed these birds, but do not think they come anywhere near the weight that is normally posted about these birds. I'll get on that and post my findings. My 2 roosters are much smaller than my hens.

Some of the hens are much larger than others. Also, some have brown penciling, a lot of it. Others seem to be completely Birchen, or with very little penciling.

These fly very well, so they are in a covered outdoor coop. They love foraging. I've heard they like to go broody. Anyone seen this?

 

[karimw]

Quote:
My pullets are laying well and some will hang out a while, but no broodys yet.

There is quite a variation in the color of my pullets too, I even have one with brassy splashes on her back

We should have an Iowa Blue Meeting at the Waverly swap on April 10. If you have them bring pictures!

 

[FlashPointFarm]

The brassy splashes are what I was referring to as a red bleed. I had a cockerel that had that, and culled him. Something was brought into this line that carried the red gene, which needs to be bred out, IMO.

Quote:
My pullets are laying well and some will hang out a while, but no broodys yet.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/53430_iowa_blue_flock.jpg

There is quite a variation in the color of my pullets too, I even have one with brassy splashes on her back

We should have an Iowa Blue Meeting at the Waverly swap on April 10. If you have them bring pictures!