Summary of Breed Conservation Activists on Iowa Blue Type

Through conversations, written documentation, and photographs from the Breed Conservation Activists (except Steve and Bobby Lewis), as well as from one of the Remnant Flock Owners (Michael Moore), we have gained insight into the breed’s original appearance and characteristics.

General Consensus According to the BCA (Breed Conservation Activists):

• The preferred chick down was a solid chestnut brown, but other accepted colors included; brown mottled (from light to heavy mottling (the lighter mottling preferred)), and some chicks that were colored like pheasants.  None of the original activists recalled hatching out a black colored chick until after the introduction of outside breeds.  It was mentioned that the original chicks in addition to silvery brown down had willow legs and a white stripe down the middle toenail, which was unusual.
  

• The preferred cock color was a silver penciled type with a thick, striking “mane” of silver. The silver color started at the head and continued down the back onto the lesser sickles, with the remainder of the body being black except for the chest.  On the chest was found white markings that ranged from light stippling to complete lacing.  Occasionally a cock could be found that included some dark stippling amongst the white markings. The tail possessed a blue sheen. Eyes were dark, legs reported to be willow or slate.
  

• The hen was a silver penciled color that was not double laced. Her head was marked heavily with white (like the male) with the remainder of her body colored a grey stippling.  She was a blue-grey color overall when viewed from a distance.  As with the breast on the male, these stippling markings ranged from a stippled to laced pattern.  Most common was a hen that started out laced on the breast and slowly the lacing became stippled as it reached the ends of her tail.  Eyes were dark, legs willow or slate.
  
  

• Body had a distinct type that resembled a brick shape, although some possessed a semi-upright stature. Tail was often described as being jaunty and was never long or flowing.  Although a dual purpose bird, some members of the BCA, as well as Mr. Moore, claimed they didn’t meet the requirements for the meat side of the dual purpose, possibly due to inbreeding and loss of vigor in the later years. The hens laid a small-medium sized, light brown egg. 
  

• Active foragers.  Cocks possessed an outgoing and assertive personality.