It is an exceedingly rare fowl, and is not recognized for showing by the American Poultry Association.
The Iowa Blue's exact origin is unknown, but is the subject of a folk legend that is said to have involved the mating of a White Leghorn hen and a pheasant.
Male Iowa Blues are among the best guardians of a flock, being particularly competent hawk fighters.
The back is also white in roosters, and the overall color is technically referred to as "penciling".
When mated with other breeds, especially White Plymouth Rocks or New Hampshires, Iowa Blues will produce sex linked hybrid offspring.