We had a goshawk attack a week and a half ago. Hasn't returned since.
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Yep, the blues do get that light, for sure. Your blue has some other darker color in there, and some of that is typical and some just aren't a nice even color as they should be. The color on the body SHOULD be even. Just because it's not even does not make it a splash. The darker color in the hackles is usually what pops up first for boys. Blues and splash get really dark through there. The Splash I posted; she has great splash markings, can you see the difference between Blue and Splash? I hoped that the picture would clearly define splash and blue.
Not my blue - or splash - you must be getting me confused with the OP.
The AI-- you can give it a go as much as you want I suppose. I might be working with boys that aren't quite as eager after the morning. If you are wanting to do AI more often, why don't you just trim them all up instead of doing the AI? Sounds like you are wanting to work with multiple girls? In which case, the trimming makes more sense. That's not really what I'm using the AI for-- I'm using with pairs and trio's and that's it.
Oh I have a very good reason for not bothering with trimming. The roo I am using has never bred a girl. He tries to breed me instead. He was a "special" boy who had a rough start in life and was raised inside. So he thinks I am his mate.
The Splash CAN be diluted, though. I have a splash boy who's spots are diluted.
What you can't see in this picture, though, is that a close-up inspection will show spots in his back and his tail. If you saw him in person, you would NEVER confuse him for Blue. I wish I had a better picture of him-- closer up to show his spots. I may have another one of him that shows it better... And while he has fantastic type and is a stunning looking boy, he is not really the most ideal color for Splash. Going to use him on Blue hens which could really help with better Splash color.
***Also-- wanted to add that this picture is what I'm talking about how the boys get darker in the hackles. See how his crest is a lighter color? And his hackles and a bit into the back are much darker? You don't see that on girls.
This is another of my girls, and she's really young (5 months) and she's lacking a really great splashing all over her body, but what splash she does have is very dark and also would never be confused with Blue. She took "Reserve Champion Featherleg" a couple weeks ago. The judge (Art Reiber) came back and talked to me and told me that if I took the coloring/spots off the first girl I showed you and put it on THIS bird (because this one has better type), she would have won 1st. I didn't bother to show you this bird first since this is not the ideal splashing and didn't want to further confuse you on Blue/Splash.
Again, not me. I have NO interest in splash or blue....I only commented that the bird in question LOOKED splash because I saw a few splashes. I must say, the only splash I have seen that made me say "wow" are on HatTrick's site. HatTrick has the best birds IMO....can't wait to get my hands on some.
Thanks, I take a lot of pictures to help myself, as well. I go back and see how a chick started and ended up. It helps! I'm also starting to catch things earlier due to my obsessive picture taking! ha!
Yes, I think it was the "N" in the name that threw me, I wasn't paying close enough attention. The comments were so very similar, I didn't check to see it was not the same person. Sorry!Pretty sure they were talking to meJust got the names mixed up
I love the lighter blues!! LOVE them!! Some of my grow outs show great light blue potential and then they darken up.
