The Legbar Thread!

[klf73]

does anyone know how many lines were imported? and the "pedigree" of those lines, meaning just because they came from two sources doesn't mean they are unrelated.

I guess I just don't want to take on the elitist attitude, but just want to keep an open mind knowing that problems may arise. I won't panic until I start having something more than the comb issue because I don't care about it since it is not a quality of life problem. I would rather have a floppy combed genetically strong bird than a bird with weak genes and seems perfect...but that's just me, but I am a bit jaded by my many vet bills with my experiences. I don't have a ton of information, just what I was given by some respectable breeders of different species since I researched heavily after my dog issue and then dug in a bit again after the toe issue in the chickens. It could definitely make a good research paper and maybe one I will pursue at some point that way I can apply it to my degree while satisfying my curiosity.

 

[redchicken9]

GaryDean26,
I think I "got" what you were saying about the goat analogy. I think some breeds it could be possible to recreate how they were made and be improved by backbreeding to some original part of them (in say 7 or more generations after an outcrossing). I'm just not sure, if this would work for the cream legbars since one of the foundation breeds is unlikely to be duplicated, ie. chilean hen circa 1920s. Since this breed gives the egg color and the cream plumage to work around it might be hard to regain, I just don't know. Anyhow I hope you didn't feel like you should bow out. I think you were adding real value!

 

[klf73]

Ya, I knew that everyone wouldn't follow the goat comparisons. I just used them because they have witten rules and regiseries to govern their breeding and manage the breeds. I can see see that try to compare Cream Legbars to dogs, cattle, horses, goats, or even other chichen breeds is going to be a strech in some ways. It looks like I am past my knowledge on this one, so I will bow out.

I am not concerend about the limited genetics pools. Some of the cock fighting breeders were able to maintain flocks for as long as 35 years with excelent results. Some one at the beginning of this thread said that they took a live stock management class that learned that with three blood lines that you can sustain livestock without running up against a wall genetically. I have a good start and am going to be following the same type of breeding plan.

Good Luck everyone. You all have what I think is one of the most intresting breeds around. If any of you have questions you know where to find me.

Gary, I understand where you were going with the goats but I think an analogy that uses the same concept would be easier to compare. If you used a breed of dog that had origins in another breed(sorry, too tired to come up with one) many years back, then used one of the original breeds and then breed selectively to the desired traits, would the registries accept it(of course many, many generations later)? I am not talking about making a multiple outcrosses, but one.

I don't want to you feel like you need to bow out here. I am one of those "question everything" people. If someone gives me information I pull it apart to digest and that is how I start questioning. I have only dabbled in intensive line breeding of poultry and would like to check it out again eventually.

I do know that the hedemora I have seem to be genetically delicate from what I have read of other people. They are prone to catch things easier and in my opinion I think it is due to the limited gene pool for this breed. If you read the history from it's country they now have genetic databases for keeping track of these rare breeds and there aren't many of them. I do know you lose vigor with excessive linebreeding (or inbreeding). I enjoy reading everyone's posts and if I ask questions I do not want someone to take it as a challenge, it is an honest question. I like to hear of others experience and research, I think we can all benefit from having all the owners/breeders check in and compare notes and hopefully learn from each other.

 

[Johnn]

MELOW LAYED TODAY! but the egg was white

 

[boykin2010]

Johnn,

Are you sure it was her that layed the egg? If so, sorry

 

[Johnn]

yep the oly other egg in there before she went in was a brown one , so dissapointed but adleast shes laying

 

[Johnn]

 

[Flaming Chicken]

Melow did not read the breed standard! She has an independant spirit.

MELOW LAYED TODAY! but the egg was white

 

[Lady Chickadee]

Here are pictures of my Cream Legbar chick pair from yesterday when they got to go outside.

 

[The Sheriff]

How adorable Lady Chickadee! They sure like to roost! Sweet pair. Looks like your little cockerel is crested!

I am getting ready to move four month-old pullets outside to a grow out coop. I have five eggs incubating from my own layers and six more eggs coming from boykin. I should be set. Even have my first egg auction going and ready to put up another.