Lavender-Based Leghorn Breeding & Improvement Discussion

[Miami Leghorn]

That is interesting.
I am loving the breeding programs you've outlined.

1) Lavender split Legbars for a purebred Lavender Legbar pen
2) Barred Lavender Leghorn crosses to breed back to Leghorns for Isabella and Barred Isabella Leghorns
3) Barred Brown Leghorn crosses (splits) to breed back to Leghorns for Crele Leghorns

I've been given a few suggestions by ChicKat on where to go with my Lavender Creles besides of course continuing the line,at her suggestion;I plan to also breed my roosters to brown hens to start a Crele leghorn line.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

Here are my young roosters.
I have two more younger individuals.Pics coming soon on those.
Their tails are more developed now.

 

[ChicKat]

Very handsome !!
Sounds like you have done well despite the tough summer. (Hot and humid here too). I guess
with heat indexes in the 103-106 range -- the very fact they get up each morning means they deserve a prize!!

I'm excited to see your progress with these plans. Yay.

 

[ChicKat]

whoo hoo Miami -
Your boys are looking good.

Well, maybe a bit of tail feather grow in there. Real nice straight comb on "Buster" IMO.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

I'll have to post some updated pictures; it's just that when I get home it's just nonstop. Their tails are a bit more develop now they're looking nicer.
I also have Popeye and his little brother in another enclosure you will see how they develop.

Yes, the heat is horrible; besides having the coops inside my mango Grove in which the trees provide ample shade...I also have tarps tied from tree to tree like stretched out hammocks for even additional shade...it's brutal.

 

[ChicKat]

Can't wait for pictures. My older 3 are molting -- and some of the younger ones may be molting too -- in a stress molt due to the awful temps.....however now that it's September it should be getting cooler soon. I could send some unflattering picts to this thread, and I'm looking forward to more people showing us their lavs.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

@MIAMI LEGHORN that first boy is about as picture-perfect representation of a legbar silhouette as i can imagine. If my cockerel winds up looking half that good I'd be tickled pink.

About the only thing I'd criticize is personal preference—the lack of dilute gold due to the cream base rather than gold. I have a heavy preference for gold-based hens but it brings in that opportunity for perpetual pin feathers in the boys. :/

 

[Miami Leghorn]

Well, I'm not sure if that what she was going for when she set out on this project,but all the credit goes to Chickat and her selective breeding...as far as the colors go; we'll see how it looks after he molts if it changes anything.
Anything close to this and I'll be proud.

 

[ChicKat]

the lack of dilute gold

Our wonderful lavender gene (It's magic) dilutes both the black and the red pigments (red=gold) ----> As these males mature, they do get more color. I think Miami won't have to wait too long As his cockerel grows he will probably add more color to his plumage. I have forgotten how many juvenile molts from chick down to adult plumage, but I think that at the 6-month mark they have their adult colors, and then they keep those feathers a year and molt at 18 months and annually after that. Right?

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

I'm not sure. I guess I'm comparing to my straight Isabella leghorn cockerels. Their gold tones come in right away.