Minorca thread!

[Minniechickmama]

They sure like their lobes to be BIG on their Minorcas, don't they. I like to see them about half that size and a bit longer like they show in the SOP. I think the big round ones just detract from the rest of the head and face. Nice birds though. The blues sure are pretty, but not like the blue you see with Andalusians. Those look more like lavender with the lack of lacing and contrasting hackles/saddles/ sickles.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Here is my hen from last year just about the time she started hiding her eggs in the corner of the granary:

She looks awful right now from not having her feathers back from molting. She wouldn't stand for a good shot, but she has a good frame and good size to her.

Here is Max, may he rest in peace. Loved that boy, but found him in a nest box dead one morning last fall.
This picture he was about 4 months old and just starting to fill out his very tall and long bones. The cage behind him is 24" and he stood with his head over that, just to give you and idea of his height.

 

[HENRI]

I think big lobes are nicer and are a icon on all menorcas.
Cheers Henri.

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[WyandotteTX]

Got to inspect my Black Minorcas pretty well today. I have a Single Comb young male who has a very nice frame and a decent comb, both will look better as he growns into his size. He is somewhat rangey at the moment but I see the building blocks of a great looking bird. I was most impressed with my Rose Comb young female who has a great frame herself and great looking comb and head. I think in a month or so they could both look great. I am excited to see them fill out with age. I couldnt get any pics of them today as it was too overcast outside to get a very good pic of them.
Only have two BUT I am excited about what I have to work with and breed from.

 

[danhonour]

They will fill out and look better as they mature more.Raise lots and get a good flock going.They are rare,at least the real good ones with size and type. I hope to build up some numbers myself if things go well.

 

[WyandotteTX]

That is my plan for the future Dan. I am hoping to hatch as many of both the RC and SC as I can this year to try and establish a core for the future. I know Tom is working hard on the Buffs right now, my next avenue will be to find some Whites of both SC and RC for the future.

 

[WyandotteTX]

I was sitting around today looking at my Minorcas with my Dad when he shared with me the following story. My family for decades raised laying hens so they could sell eggs, cream and butter each week. Was part of the family income and a fairly steady one back in lean times. Well each member of the family had their own specific breed that was their favorite. My Grandpa kept a flock of 400 White Leghorns(real White Leghorns, not a hybrid), Great Aunt had a flock of Speckled Sussex but my Great-Grandpa had the flock that must have been the trigger for my interest. He kept a flock of 200 Black Minorcas for evidently well over 40 years! I remember seeing a picture of them many moons ago and I remember my great grandmother commenting about Minorcas but the flock was gone by the time I came around. My Dad told me the story because the Minorcas we have now remind him of the ones that his grandpa had all those many years ago.
Waxing nostalgic to a different time in the world. But maybe my interest in Minorcas is genetic.......lord knows the chicken gene is! haha

 

[Minniechickmama]

That is a cool story, John.

Here is a shot of my Minorca pen. I know that it isn't a great picture and it isn't a fantastic flock, but it is a start. And yes, I know there there 2 in there that are definitely NOT Minorcas. I have to separate out a few more birds before hatching season begins

\\

 

[WyandotteTX]

Thought I would revive this thread a little bit with some Minorca information. I caught my two Black Minorcas today to give them a good once over and was really impressed with them. The RC pullet has started laying finally, fairly large eggs for pullet eggs. Interesting thing is how they are not exactly white eggs like you would think. They are maybe one or two shades off of white, there is a slight tint to them. Just a rough guesstimate after holding the pullet for a while and looking her over I would say she is in between 6 and 7 pounds right now with a nice long back and a very brick like body. Her comb is fairly good as well.
The SC cockerel was the most impressive. He has a very large comb with good symmetry among his points. He is a very tall bird with good features but I was surprised at his weight. I had been moving my Buff Wyandotte Cockerels around earlier and was surprised when I picked up the Minorca and his weight was not much different. I would probably say he is in the 8-9 pound range!
Have them both in the breeding pen now and am looking forward to hatching out some birds this spring.

On a side note Minorcas do not seem to be in great demand by most people to me. In the past year and a half I have been trying to find as many Minorca breeders as I could to talk to and learn from if I could. Evidently they are of great value in the purebred world as the number of breeders are very limited and the adult stock can be pricey as most adult birds quoted to me started at $100. Hopefully others can discover the beauty and majesty of this heritage breed and help us bring this breed back to its place of prominence.
John

 

[danhonour]

Hi John,Sounds like you have real Minorcas.Good ones are definitely huge,they are tall,long backed (preferred sloped ) and heavy. Some otherwise good birds lack the high shoulders and sloping back,and yet others are little bit loose feathered.These are minor defects which should be selected against. I sometimes use these defects as tie brakers when I have borderline birds that I am debating if to use or not for breeders.I would rather not use them. Small and narrow Minorcas are to be avoided,and short legged birds or knock kneeded birds are very undesirable. I keep repeating several things to drive home some important Minorca charateristics.The more common hatchery stock,needs to get back many lost qualities in order to even be considered Minorcas and I am afraid these poor hatchery lines are the only ones many people ever see and they are such poor examples of the Minorca breed.Minorcas of the standard required traits can still be found,but they are in the breeders yards .