A few months ago, when I first learned of the Iowa Blue Chickens from Backyard Poultry Magazine, there were only 9 people on the Breeder's List; now there are 11 and I hope to join the list by the end of 2014. I currently have two tiny 7-week-old flocks of five strong, healthy chicks each - silver and birchen, separated by about 150 miles so that they can be free-range without interbreeding of the colors. Mine are all from Connie Hurley's line and I hope to get more eggs from her when the weather permits the shipping but also want to get some from other lines, too. Then, between the hens and the incubator, I plan to hatch as many eggs as possible this year and join the Breeder's List. I'm anxious to see "Iowa Blue" a familiar name to all chicken farmers!
I hope to get on the breeder's list but it will likely be 2015. I am getting eggs from Connie Hurley this Spring and hope to just grow that flock this year. I have read the standard a few times and, once I have my own birds, I'll be able to see what I have and hopefully start breeding to it and bringing in other birds(eggs) from other breeders for that effort. I have had chickens for quite a few years but I am really excited about this breed.