here is a updated pic of my white and barred rock male breeders this yr. barred rock 7 months old today finally beginning to fill out . white rock is same male I posted back in the summer he has filled out a little more i gotta work on gettin some lift on em this yr . and the barreds have a pretty goodd tail
Boy that White Rock Ckl has a nice finish and feather quality. Have you weighed him?
His two brothers that I am raising are coming along just like him. His sire and mother and aunt and sister are ready to pump out eggs for chicks for this spring. I have only 20 chicks left to share this spring to make the demand for the orders. The lift will come up about 5 degrees next year as a cock bird. His sire has a tail angle about where I need it at this stage.
You get some good things also look at his keel bone and breast hard to get on a Rock and he has it. The bared Rock looks good and should have a nice tail when he matures. Slow growing barred rocks but when fully developed its worth it. He should win at a show for you.
Thanks for the pictures but more than anything keeping my old line of white rocks going. bob
I think for his age he is right on track. If 8 1/2 pounds is the standard weight at about 11 months he should weigh nine in a half to maybe ten pounds at that age. However, Mr. Weaver today Im a affraid he wont be big enough to win in major competion. They want them males two to four pounds over standard weight. Most shows have white rocks as big as White Jersey Giants. When I mean they want them that big its the majority of the judges who pick them that big. Same goes in some regions for Large Fowl Reds bigger is better. If you dont raise them to what the judges want you cant win. Thats why I gave up my large Reds years ago. People said they where to small.
However, I know you are a breeder of the standard and not a point chaser like some people who raise these white birds. He is typical of the strain that I have raised for 30 years off and on. Still looks good.
I think for his age he is right on track. If 8 1/2 pounds is the standard weight at about 11 months he should weigh nine in a half to maybe ten pounds at that age. However, Mr. Weaver today Im a affraid he wont be big enough to win in major competion. They want them males two to four pounds over standard weight. Most shows have white rocks as big as White Jersey Giants. When I mean they want them that big its the majority of the judges who pick them that big. Same goes in some regions for Large Fowl Reds bigger is better. If you dont raise them to what the judges want you cant win. Thats why I gave up my large Reds years ago. People said they where to small.
However, I know you are a breeder of the standard and not a point chaser like some people who raise these white birds. He is typical of the strain that I have raised for 30 years off and on. Still looks good.
I posted these over on the Dorking Club thread and it was suggested that I post them here too. Here are some of our 2012 silver gray Dorkings at about 7 mos. The two pullets won Reserve Champion Large Fowl in the junior division of the Virginia Poultry Breeders Association show last week (they are DD's), and Tim Bowles, the judge, told the show secretary that they were very good and DD should hang onto them. We are encouraged!
Today I am asking all of the folks on this thread to consider choosing a large fowl breed that Duane Urch currently has available to add to your flock.
Duane is one of the last of the great breeders of many breeds of standard breed poultry. He is a true poultry man and has made a living promoting and raising poultry since the 1950's.
Most of his birds are old strains. It would be for the good of poultry genetics and the entire industry as a whole to keep these bloodlines alive. Duane is getting up in years. He is in his 70's and sooner than later will be retiring. It would be great if many of us could keep a small flock of one of his breed lines going so the genetics are there and available for future poultry lovers.
Now on a different note I began a project this last spring. I decided I wanted a strain of Rosecomb Rhode Island Blues. I took my best Rosecomb Rhode Island Red male bird Mr Cockydo and crossed him with Miss Blue Silkie and Mrs Blue Polish. My F1 birds are pictured below and I am sure they are going to be a big money making hit with all of the hatcheries.
F1 Silkie cross Pullet
F1 Polish cross pullet
F1 Silkie cross cockerel
F1 Polish cross cockeral
We all have a lot to be thankful for so everyone have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving.
Have to go and water the birds it is 60 here today in MN and is supposed to be 28 tomorrow.
Good luck with the birds
Charlie
