My uncle gave me some chickens (my first!) and they are about 10 weeks or so old. I know that the parents were kept together so it is possible (and probable) to have a mix. He is going to let me swap out the roosters but I need help sexing. Any help you can offer would be appreciated.
Thanks!
All of the birds in this pic look like cockerels except for the one Marans in the center and the one RIR on the right.
All the birds in this pic look like cockerels except the one Marans on the right and the one RIR on the right.
My uncle gave me some chickens (my first!) and they are about 10 weeks or so old. I know that the parents were kept together so it is possible (and probable) to have a mix. He is going to let me swap out the roosters but I need help sexing. Any help you can offer would be appreciated.
Thanks!
what is the difference in production and regular Rhode Island reds?
Production Reds are produced by hatcheries crossing red gene roosters (RIR, NH, or PR) with red gene hens (RIR, NH, or PR). In truth with hatcheries, there is little or no difference between their RIRs, HNs, and PRs. If the feathers of the offspring tend darker red (mahogany) and they have black feathers in their tails, the hatcheries label them RIRs. If the feathers of the offspring tend toward lighter red (chestnut) and they have black feathers in the tails, the hatcheries label them NHs. If the feathers are somewhere in an in-between shade of red, or if they are very uneven in their red color, or if there are no black feathers in their tails, the hatcheries label them Production Reds. True Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshires have much deeper bodies than hatchery grade RIRs and NHs, which are bred mainly for high egg production.
