I just thought I'll subscribe to this thread and leave a note to myself (on here) that I'm up to page 32! Yes I've just joined and trying to read through all the posts and doing my hardest to catch up. Now my eyes are heavy-laden
Of all the colours of Wyandottes, I've got Black Wyandotte bantams (rare in NZ), a pair of white Columbian bantams and GLW.
I first went to a poultry show many years ago, with an intent to buy some Buff Pekins but none were available for sale. I ended up purchasing my first trio of black Wyandotte bantams, a decision made on the basis of them being my favourite colour. I knew nothing else about them and hadn't even realised they were rare or becoming rare (I wasn't involve too much with any poultry circuit).
It was only last year, having realised how rare the blacks are in NZ, that I decided to do something about upping their numbers and then looking into the NZ poultry standards to bring my birds up to scratch. Well I've succeeded in upping the number which was the first thing I've focused on...then I'm onto the next step of improving my flock.
At the moment, I'm learning about the workings of genetics, colour breedings etc etc, which is mindboggling when you think you've got it abd something odd pops out amongst the page (or screen) that got me all confused but I think I'm on the right track of breeding my males (sporting pale underfluffs) with dark legged females to darkens underfluffs of male progenies.
As for 'yellowing' up the girls' shanks, I'm thinking about using a barred rock bantam (female) of which I understood that she only passes on her barred genes to her sons only, leaving the girls alone with no barred genes but yellowed up legs. Am I right?
I've learnt the other day that with black wyandottes, I must consider two breeding pens (one pen to produce 'proper' '
dark underfluff' cockerels and the other pen for producing yellow legged females). Eh?
I could do with a mentor here but anyone can correct me if I erred anywhere amongst my posts, with my thoughts or assumptions
Well this post is my 2nd one...or my 3rd I think?? ;-) But I'm willing to take on board whatever anyone thinks so that I could ponder on things, weighing up some decisions before swinging into action.
I'm following the NZPS so I think I've got two genetic problems to work on, according to my 'novice' knowledge and opinion
Anyway, its good to be here amongst knowledgeable people and breeders and while everyone seem to be smitten with BLRWs, I simply adore Pyle coloured Wyandottes and would love to have a flock in that colour!