White Plumes

UPDATED March 2013


We're now hatching F3 chicks! The F2 birds selected to continue in the breeding program have given us a way to play around with Silver and Gold genes in a Paint project. I'm sad to report my gorgeous orange and white rooster became dinner for a raccoon a few months ago. It's been a bit of a wait for the F2 (TwoRoo) to get interested in the ladies but he's a rowdy boy these days.

Also in the White Plume House is a South American composite rooster (named "Castle" for his amazing comb). Castle has enough genetically in common with the White Plumes that I'm experimenting with a black tailed concept.

One branch of the project is leaning towards WHITE tailed, crested birds. The roosters would have gold or lemon barring; the hens continue to be white & black.

The other branch of the project is leaning towards BLACK tailed, crested birds. The roosters would be cream colored with black lacing; the hens continue to be white & black. 

~*~ This project is named these in honor of White Plume, a chief of the Kaw (Kanza) Indians. In 1825 White Plume's daughters and other members of the tribe were given land along the Kansas (Kaw) River not far from my home. A hundred year later, White Plume's great-great-grandson, Charles Curtis became Vice-President of the United States. White Plume is an ancestor of many present day members of the Kaw Nation in Oklahoma.