I took some more pictures this morning. One thing has me a little confused. I ended up growing out one blue roo that I didnt realize was a roo because he didnt have a white head spot. Now, as he's growing out, Im seeing some barring. Is it possible he's a blue barred, but didnt show the barring characteristics as a chick? If so I have to go back to the drawing board on barring genetics.
These are my 2 black rock hens. I got these from the last batch of eggs I got from Jim. They are extremely typy, Im glad I kept them.
These are some of the girls growing up. They are in that teenage stage.
This is the splash roo I decided to keep. He's very typy, and has a great tail. Thats one thing that the non-barred rocks dont have is a very good tail carriage, including Mr. B. The barred hens have great tails, and this guy does too.
Finally a picture of Mr. B and 2 of his favorite girls. He was very upset with me this morning; I came to the coop in sweats, and he had no idea how to handle that. He was sure whoever I was that I was there to harm someone. So after he and I battled, he's now sulking.
They're so pretty! I can't wait until mine grow up! That's wierd about your roo though. My little blue roo (that died) had a huge head spot when he was born! I wonder if the Dilute gene could have an effect on the barring...probably not, but just a thought!
Well, Ive been thinking about this all day and evening, and I think, maybe, since he was out of the very first hatch I did, that perhaps he must have had a very faint head spot that I just missed. After having many more hatches, Ive gotten pretty good at spotting even faint head spots. But what still confuses me is that the first feathers didnt grow out barred. Maybe the feathers were too light to see the barring. At least he's found a good home where he'll be matched up with some barred rock hens.
edit:
Now in looking at my own pictures, I can see very very faint barring on the older feathers. So I guess it was my mistake all along. Cant fool genetics.
They are beyond gorgeous! & you've done such a great job with your selection process--love the splash!!
If I weren't right in the middle of a hatch right now....I need to quit looking at your beautiful birds!!!