We are into our 5th day of 100 degree + temps with at least two more ahead and it is taking a toll on the birds. I lost 7 birds in one day and they were all adult Partridge Rocks. 6 adult hens and Bubba the rooster just couldn't handle the heat. Even with fans and misters. I guess, fortunately, I have some chicks out of them and crosses with Ameraucans from this late spring that are growing fine and appear to be taking the heat a little better. Just need to grow the chicks up and see what we have to offer. The chicks from the earlier crosses of the F1s have the Partridge pattern, all shades of mahogany/brown, but there is only one that has darker legs. The later chicks from crosses of the F1 back to original stock still appear to have the pattern, but there may be a few more that will have the right leg color. Beards and muffs appear to be there, to what degree we will have to see.
Be cool!
Ken