Opal and Isabella Legbars

The A, B, C's of the Legbar = Auto-sexing, Blue Eggs, and Crests

What do you get when you take the desirable characteristics of the Legbar and then add in the gorgeous lavender coloration?

The Legbar is a unique autosexing breed. Autosexing means that you can visually tell males from females at hatch via their chick down color. This is very handy for those who can't have roosters or don't want to raise chicks until sex can be determined.

The first several pictures are from Candace Waldon who developed this color variety (and is a much better photographer than I am!). The later pictures are of my own flock, which came from Candace Waldon and Parey Reed/Candace Wells. It is important to note, however, that Candace Waldon is the originator of the Opal/Isabella color variety, and all birds with this coloring trace back to her foundation stock.

Because of my love for this breed and particularly this color variety, I am helping to draft the SOP for the Opal (cream based) and Isabella (gold based) Legbar varieties, part of which will include characterizing the color and description of each. While my Opal flock primarily contains cream based Opal birds, I do have one Golden Crele hen that has been used in making splits. So next generation, I may have examples of both Opal and Isabella coloring.

If you are interested in learning more about the Opal/Isabella Legbars, please consider joining the Facebook group Opal (aka Isabella) Legbar Fan Club

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872729272941008

If you are a breeder of Opal/Isabella Legbars in the State of Texas, please consider joining the Texas Opal Legbar and Isabella Legbar Breeders Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/680853279448953

Breed description from the Opal/Isabella Legbar variety originator and developer Candace Waldon:

Opal Legbars are a new beautiful addition to the line-up of autosexing breeds. This breed has everything you love and want all in one package. They are barred lavender birds with cute crests, blue eggs, and best of all, they are autosexing! Know which chicks are males and which are pullets as soon as they hatch!

Opal Legbar males are beautifully barred lavender with golden highlights. The barring lightens the lavender feathers giving them a silver appearance. When the sun hits them just right, these birds glimmer! The golden highlights, contrasting the silvery barred lavender, is absolutely stunning.

Opal Legbar hens are pearl gray with either silver barring or light straw yellow accenting around their necks. Their darker color compliments the males’ lighter silvery color perfectly. Some hens also have light peach breasts.

Opal Legbars lay bountiful quantities of blue eggs. As with all blue egg layers, color perception is dependent on light conditions in which they are viewed, as well as the laying cycle of the hen.

Opal Legbars follow the same genetic breeding structure as other lavender birds. Birds need two copies of the lavender gene to express the lavender color.