Speckledhen here is George today.He's 8 months old now.

[speckledhen]

It was suggested to me that I probably needed better breeding stock, that Scout would pass that trait to his offspring. He did pass it to some, but only a few. Many were just fine, including my own girl, Gypsy, who is his daughter with my blue Ameraucana, Charlotte. So, you will need to cull more if you breed from him, if you are trying to meet a certain standard. If you are breeding for fun, why not try and see what he produces, if you have the time and inclination?

 

[scgamecock]

bump for missprissy and bama chicken.I'd really like to know their opinion on George's brassy look.I know he not what I need to start a BBS Orp pen but I'm curious if it could be another gene.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, Julie just posted that she may have the chocolate gene in her Orps! What a coincidence that is. I'd like to know what she thinks, too.

 

[JoanneNC]

Same here, as I have one from Julie's eggs that look identical to the one in the picture.

JoanneNC

 

[BeckyLa]

Interesting discussion! I had no idea blues had such issues.

Perhaps if you pm MP & BC, it will draw their attention to this discussion.

 

[toddy111]

George is cool !!!!

 

[BamaChicken]

I wouldn't use him in a breeding program for blues. My Blue Boy came from Sandhill. I think every breeder I have talked to occasionally throws some weird off color in the hackles but you just cull those. I have about 1 % hatch with off coloring showing up. Most of the time someone would tell me about it. I have personally not had any I kept except this black hen with funny coloring. I am still waiting on some replys about her. If she is just a bad color I will not keep her.
That is why people cull out what they don't want to breed in. I do have a young blue Cockerel that is so large at 7 weeks old. If anyone needs to buy a young blue with very nice lacing I can take his pic and he is for sale.

 

[scgamecock]

Thanks Bama Chicken.I have already decided not to use him in my BBS pen that I'm trying to start.I have a splash and another blue that hatched from MissPrissy's egg's on Christmas so hopefully I can do something with them.In the mean time I may need to get on someone's list for a few more egg's.