The Moonshiner's Leghorns

[The Moonshiner]

In that case it makes sense to continue using Minorca if necessary.

That'd definitely be what I'd use if I had to go with a different breed.
When asked I wasn't sure if buff Minorcas were around before buff Leghorns.

 

[KF0002]

In that case it makes sense to continue using Minorca if necessary.

Yes, since Buff Minorcas were created with Leghorn influence, that would make them appropriate to use to outcross if necessary to create a line of Buff Leghorns (or black if that is your goal). Breeding them back to Leghorn type and yellow legs would be the only caveat to outcrossing to Buff Minorca. Since type and specific characteristics of a bird (comb, earlobe color, egg color, etc.), and their ability to breed those traits true is what identifies them as the breed they are intended to represent. Locating a good start of Buff, or Black if Black Leghorns is your goal, would save you a lot of work and aggravation in the long run.

Hatchery Minorcas (and just about every hatchery bird) tend to carry their tails very high and have bad type from what I have observed. Locating Minorcas to use in the outcross that are bred to standard of perfection would be best but I imagine they may be harder to locate and more expensive.

For example, I ordered Silver Leghorns from Murray McMurray Hatchery since they are a harder variety of Leghorn to get a hold of. The birds I have from them are small and very gamey looking in their appearance with very high and erect tails, which can be improved upon, but it is going to take some work and several years which I knew going in. So just know that with outcrossing to another breed, it is going to take multiple generations to get to the goal and back to birds that will breed true to Leghorn standards. Like my Crele Leghorn project for example. I used Legbar to outcross to bring in the crele coloration (barring on an e+/e+ base), which is another breed created with Leghorn influence. With the outcross, I have also brought in the blue egg gene and the crest gene also, which will take a few generations to eliminate. But with careful selective breeding and good marking and record keeping, it won't be too much of a challenge.

 

[KF0002]

That'd definitely be what I'd use if I had to go with a different breed.
When asked I wasn't sure if buff Minorcas were around before buff Leghorns.

I had searched for Buff Minorcas prior to purchasing my Buff Leghorns. If I hadn't found the Buff Leghorns, I would have purchased Buff Minorcas from Murray McMurray. MM tends to be the hatchery I trust, and I will continue to use them in the future.

 

[The Moonshiner]

So I finally wore out my ankle Muck boots and started looking for a new pair. Saw some on eBay. They were the short boots I wanted but the Arctic version. Fleece lined or something for winter time.
Didn't really need them but kind of thought those might be handy come dead of winter. Oh, it said "make offer" was available. So of course I shot them a low ball offer. Hour later came back in from chores and they accepted my offer. I love "make offer" on eBay. Makes it easy to buy stuff I don't even particularly need.

 

[KF0002]

So I finally wore out my ankle Muck boots and started looking for a new pair. Saw some on eBay. They were the short boots I wanted but the Arctic version. Fleece lined or something for winter time.
Didn't really need them but kind of thought those might be handy come dead of winter. Oh, it said "make offer" was available. So of course I shot them a low ball offer. Hour later came back in from chores and they accepted my offer. I love "make offer" on eBay. Makes it easy to buy stuff I don't even particularly need.

I love ebay when I can make an offer. Much better than paying full price for stuff.

 

[troyer]

Yes, since Buff Minorcas were created with Leghorn influence, that would make them appropriate to use to outcross if necessary to create a line of Buff Leghorns (or black if that is your goal). Breeding them back to Leghorn type and yellow legs would be the only caveat to outcrossing to Buff Minorca. Since type and specific characteristics of a bird (comb, earlobe color, egg color, etc.), and their ability to breed those traits true is what identifies them as the breed they are intended to represent. Locating a good start of Buff, or Black if Black Leghorns is your goal, would save you a lot of work and aggravation in the long run.

Hatchery Minorcas (and just about every hatchery bird) tend to carry their tails very high and have bad type from what I have observed. Locating Minorcas to use in the outcross that are bred to standard of perfection would be best but I imagine they may be harder to locate and more expensive.

Are you thinking five to seven years till you get back to legitimately calling them Leghorn again?

 

[The Moonshiner]

I think somewhere on the forum at some time there was someone using black Minorcas to try and make black Leghorns.

 

[BlueBaby]

I pulled out one of my keybonnex 12 egg incubators back out of it's box this morning, and have it set up where I want it at. I'll be getting the second one set up too, as it seems that I have more shipped BGD hatching egg's due to arrive on Saturday.

 

[NagemTX]

BGD?

 

[BlueBaby]

BGD?

Yes, and they all have to be named Moony.