Roy is the best hen we have ever had. She was bought as a feed store EE, and she was 7 years old this spring and is still laying! In fact she laid a beautiful olive egg a day through her 6th year only slacking pace this year. She is a bit sporadic this year some weeks only one egg other weeks 3 or 4. When we realized our favorite bird was so irreplaceable we decided to start a breeding program from her . . . If we could just get enough eggs . . . and we have! But the best of Roy is her super smart and charismatic personality.
First we crossed her with Bob, a champion White Ameraucana from Wayne Meredith. Then we crossed her with Big Daddy, a gorgeous Buff Ameraucana from John Blehm (I may have those two names switched), and now she is in with Bart, a stunnning Black Ameraucana . . . shoot I forget whose lines but they're good lol!
We culled heavily and kept only pea combs (for the green/blue egg gene), grey legs, and super personalities. Personality was a huge factor in the culling as almost all had peacombs and grey legs.
I think Bob threw every color but blue, Big Daddy's all look like Roy, and we will wait and see with Bart's (so excited!) We are keeping 3 roos and 6 hens from each daddy and will spiral breed from here after so all offspring will always have Roy in them.
That's it a preview of the Idaho Royals!!!
I'll be selling eggs and chicks next spring, wish me luck!