Questions about WFB Spanish and other rare breeds

[Barn Maid Ann]

I have three white faced black Spanish chickens from McMurrays. I really like them and was thinking of doing some breeding. I know they are fairly rare, but I don't know how rare.
Also, someone mentioned here, that they have health problems. Of my three (1roo/2hens), the 2 hens may not have made it had I not intervined while they were chicks. They were the only ones to have any kind of trouble out of the 27 we received. They are fine and healthy now at 6 months of age.
Can anyone tell me any other idiosyncracies of the breed.

Also, what are some of the rarest breeds of standard egg laying chickens.
TIA

 

[Rabid Vulture]

I a black white faced spanish about two years ago from McMurrays. She never had any kind of genetic health problems that I could find, she never even contracted mites! Her personality was a hoot though, she would follow me around like a dog throughout the yard. They do fly very well and tend to take a very long time to fully mature. Her white face was just starting to get blue-ish when she was a year old. I would love to get more, but I'm sticking to the faverolles and welsummers for now. I've heard from other people that their spanish seem to come out very flighty and skittish, I'm not sure if this is due to not enough handling or just the bird.

She was sadly taken by some animal during the day.

Hope this helps.

 

[Barn Maid Ann]

Quote:
Thanks for the info. Sorry about your hen. None of my Mediterranean birds are what you would call friendly. At least, not like my Comets. But the two white faced Black hens were handled a lot as youngsters, so they are pretty calm around me.
The rooster is not flighty, but he is not touch-friendly.

Here is Julio, my rooster.

He is 6 months and his face is just turning. One of the girls is starting now, too. But McMurrays said they do not fully turn until their second year.