need help picking BLRWs for breeding pen - lots of photos!!

[TinyBirds]

These are some of my BLRs from Gabbard Farm eggs. I love the sweet and curious personalities of these birds, especially the cockerels. I have a younger group of BLRs also from various BYC folks including JamesA-line through RedRoofHens, so I haven't taken photos of those yet (will wait til they get a bit older).

here are 2 of the cockerels together so you can compare colors:

here is a photo showing all 3 cockerels (the one in front is the one that is a more gold color, and the 2 behind & to the side of him look darker)

cockerel 1 (one of the two darker ones)

here is cockerel 1 standing next to a welsummer hen for color comparison:

cockerel2 (to me, he's the prettiest since he has all that color around his head, but I assume I should pick the ones that look more mahogany color?)

I have a splash rooster also but didn't download those pics yet.

I'll put up more photos of the hens in a little bit....

 

[Slater1995]

I am also starting with these. I have a pair and they are show quality or so I was told form the people I bought them from. My hen is a splash and my roo is more like your darker one. More of the true red and blue colors. I think that this is what is standard. I really haven't seen many with that orange color on the neck. It is really pretty.

 

[Katy]

Tinybirds....I would not use the one on the left in the first picture....way too much gold brassiness to him. You want the deep mahogany red color.

Slater: BLRW is not an accepted color in the APA. You can show them, but they can only place to a certain level. I hope whoever sold them to you told you that.

 

[TinyBirds]

Quote:
Thanks so much! Are the other two roosters good enough for breeding? I'm new to this breed so just trying to figure out if I should breed them (or alternatively just use them as beautiful lawn ornaments!)

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Thanks so much! Are the other two roosters good enough for breeding? I'm new to this breed so just trying to figure out if I should breed them (or alternatively just use them as beautiful lawn ornaments!)

Of the 3 I'd only use the one you refer to as cockeral number 1. He looks to have the best coloring and the shortest back. Do you just have the one hen? She looks to have quite a bit of gold in her too. BLRWs are a work in progress and most of them have a long ways to go to really look like a wyandotte. I've culled many more birds than I've added to my breeding flock over the last 4 years.

 

[TinyBirds]

I have 3 hens that should be laying eggs soon: (the others are all younger and do look more of the mahogany color - so I may just have to wait on those if I decide to try breeding these)

What do you think about the one right in front of the feeder? I don't know if it's okay though that each feather looks like it has a vertical stripe in the middle, whatever that's called in feather-lingo. Thanks again for your advice!!

 

[Slater1995]

Quote:
Yes, I know that are not APA, but we are just showing in the local fair. It is my 9 year olds project.

Thanks,
Teresa

 

[TinyBirds]

I just ran out and took photos of some of the younger birds I have.

I assume this one is a boy below? (2 photos of him)

What do you think? Thanks again for your advice!!

 

[Duramaxgirl]

Hello! I'm loving this thread because I am also trying to start a breeding flock of BLRW. I have some gabbard BLRW as well. So far I have culled or giving away all but 4 of mine and I think I'm gonna cull 2 more. I also have 13 from mcspin.

Your #1 roo looks to have nice mahogany red coloring! What lines are your younger ones from? Good luck with them its so much fun to watch them grow!!

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

I will have to keep an eye on this thread! BLRW are my favorite breed so far and I can't wait for my 5 to finish growing up. Sadly, one has to go. I don't need two more roos, I will only be keeping one.