I wasn't aware of that. I don't follow hatchery activity. Just saw folks questioning what they were and mentioning that Hoover claimed to not know, so gave a likely possibility. They could very well be a small goldmine considering how many folks want them.
They know very well what they have. Just acting as though they don't so others don't produce them. Preserving their "little goldmine". I'm guessing the staff at Hoover hasn't been told so the secret don't get out of the box.
Hoover hatchery appears to be doing diligence to preserve their little goldmine chicken hybrid. The Sapphire Gem is likely just a cross between homozygous Blue Andalusian roosters and barred rock hens. Such a cross would produce F1 offspring that lay brown eggs (because the brown egg color...