They were shown at the Great Exhibition in 1851. In Cornwall and Devon, England. In England similar
blue fowls were produced by crossing black and white sports. They resembled the earlier Andalusian
Chicken in type and color. The incidence of Black birds was increased by crossings with the Black
Spanish and Minorca which substantially altered their shape from that of the early birds.
This was the breed that the early geneticist Gregor Mendel used in his experiments into color heredity.
Show birds are blue with lacing, black and splash colors are also produced but are not permitted to be
shown although the splash females are worth using within a breeding program.
They typically carry a long body and tail at an angle of 45 degrees
with each feather lightly laced with black edging. The male weighs an average
of 7 lbs (3.2 kg), and the hen 6 lbs 2.7 kg) The Andalusian is an active forager;
good backyard layer off white eggs, it lays about 160 eggs a year or an average
of 3 eggs pr week. They are quieter than many Mediterranean's and the males
do not fight and are very calm. They are non sitters; but good all year layers.
The Females of the breed often start lying at a very early age. They are a very
lively and very fast bird, which is why we have to put a cage over them at an
early age.
We primarily gather our eggs for hatching purposes, because the Andalusian is
on the critical list on the
American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy list we try to raise as many live birds as
possible. As is the case with several other of our birds we do get hatching
eggs from outside sources to replenish our own flock.
