The Legbar Thread!

[ChicKat]

I think it was an optical illusion, he did not have any muffs, just his color combination made it look like that. He did have a big head though and I had no doubt he was a boy from the beginning.

Yeah, I see just what you are saying now---it is the distinct light circular down beneath the chin.

 

[dheltzel]

Box of 16 Reese line CCL's from GFF.
Cute, aren't they??

 

[Junibutt]

Box of 16 Reese line CCL's from GFF.
Cute, aren't they??

Very cute chicks. Are the lighter ones supposed to be all boys? I am wondering since I don't see a head spot on many of the lighter ones.

 

[dheltzel]

Very cute chicks. Are the lighter ones supposed to be all boys? I am wondering since I don't see a head spot on many of the lighter ones.

There are 8 males and 8 females. 5 of the females are "classic" CCL pullets with wild-type down, the other 3 lack head spots but are much lighter in color.

I would appreciate advice from others about whether the pullet chick down should be selected for. In others words, should I separate the 5 and focus my breeding on those for improving the line, or are other aspects of their appearance and egg color/size of greater importance? I have not encountered these light colored pullet chicks in my existing flock, so I don't know if I should be trying to breed that out.

 

[tdhenson86]

Quote: That's what I thought, but wanted to make sure. As a chick, he looks a lot like a rhode island red. It's very interesting to see him as an adult.

 

[tdhenson86]

I woke up to 5 pipped Jill Rees Cream Legbar eggs! I set 40 eggs. So, I'm anxious to see how many have hatched by the time I get home after work! Exciting!!!

 

[chicken pickin]

There are 8 males and 8 females. 5 of the females are "classic" CCL pullets with wild-type down, the other 3 lack head spots but are much lighter in color.

I would appreciate advice from others about whether the pullet chick down should be selected for. In others words, should I separate the 5 and focus my breeding on those for improving the line, or are other aspects of their appearance and egg color/size of greater importance? I have not encountered these light colored pullet chicks in my existing flock, so I don't know if I should be trying to breed that out.

For me personally I think I prefer the more distinct female look, the classic look as you say. It makes it much easier to sex the males from the females and that is a major part of this breed. I always urge people to keep in mind the down pattern when they are selecting for future breeders as you do not want to loose the auto sexing feature.

Your chicks are very cute but half of them I wouldn't recognize as CL chicks if you hadn't said they were. I think this seems to be a pattern for the Rees Line chicks, many seem unrecognizable.

I would suggest you keep them all for now and band the females that are very light and not distinct so you dont lose track of who is who and see how they mature, I would also band the males according to their different down color and watch them all grow. See if they mature differently and see what you prefer. Then make your decisions. But remember down pattern is very important so keep it in mind when deciding.

I have my first batch of Rees Line chicks due to hatch tomorrow I will post pics once they hatch, I have no idea what to expect from them.

 

[chicken pickin]

I woke up to 5 pipped Jill Rees Cream Legbar eggs! I set 40 eggs. So, I'm anxious to see how many have hatched by the time I get home after work! Exciting!!!

YAY! That is very exciting!!! I hope you have a great hatch. Remember to post chick pics once they are all here.

 

[tdhenson86]

Quote: x2! When I got my Rees chicks, I watched them as they grew. The lightest colored males were much more white and less barred than the others. The females didn't tend to be as reliable to tell differences from chick to adult. It is important, though, to only pick the ones that reliably autosex for future generations.

 

[tdhenson86]

Quote: Thanks! I will!