Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[Pozees]

Fred and all, thanks so much for taking the time to do this. Would it be fair to say, then, that chickens as a whole have three general subdivisions, layers, meat, and dual purpose, and that within the DP in particular there is a wide range? Or does the DP fit a more narrow description, similar to the way layers and meat birds have pretty specific body types and characteristics? Is there one DP you would hold up as the gold standard?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Hmm so it was all about the color of legs and combs, bright combs and darker legs are better than dull combs and bright legs. Interesting, thanks!

If, if you are talking about young pullets who are supposed be in lay and are not. Legs too thick, body too full, comb undeveloped, feathering altogether too nice, and legs too yellow? Yeeeup. Add to the a cockerel's rejection and time spent on the roost? That's a cull. Or, a pet. Just depends on your point of view, I guess.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Fred and all, thanks so much for taking the time to do this. Would it be fair to say, then, that chickens as a whole have three general subdivisions, layers, meat, and dual purpose, and that within the DP in particular there is a wide range? Or does the DP fit a more narrow description, similar to the way layers and meat birds have pretty specific body types and characteristics? Is there one DP you would hold up as the gold standard?

Whew!!! That's a loooooooong conversation this.

 

[Pozees]

Yeah, I know. Early on I admitted that without being able to photograph them outside in the sun, feathering would be tough to see. In the sunlight? WOW!!!! Another reason you cannot really judge fowl off of my crummy photography posted on here. Ditto, though, for almost everyone else who posts here.

That said, the neck (too thick) the body, (too full for a layer) the legs (far too yellow and thick for a layer) were plenty enough though.

This part I missed, I thought she was tucking her head back into her body because she isn't 100% healthy - so thick neck, add to my checklist, thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Remember also, folks. This is no rush to judgement. This is an ISA who've I've fed since April hatch. If she isn't a good layer now, when do suppose I would find out? How long do you propose I wait, or "be patient" as is said on other threads? Hmmmm? LOL

 

[Pozees]

Whew!!! That's a loooooooong conversation this.

LOL Sorry

 

[chickachee]

We invented duct tape and have single handedly elevated it to the most used tool assy in our tool box, right there on the top shelf. I have some on my left work boot right now, it's doubling as a temporary sole heheheheee, looks good too.

Al,

The melody and lyrics of "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top keep going over and over in my mind...!!!

 

[Beekissed]

To me, there are two. The other OTs may differ with this but, IME, I have found two gold standard of DPs that I consider to be the best at doing what they do~produce eggs and meat.

#1 White Rocks. The grandaddy of all and cock of the walk.
#2 Black Australorps. Smaller in build than the WRs, and with less meat, but consistently outlays any other DP breed I have ever had.

 

[Fred's Hens]

This part I missed, I thought she was tucking her head back into her body because she isn't 100% healthy - so thick neck, add to my checklist, thanks!

It's never just one feature. It's actually only an exercise such as this which forces me to actually articulate this stuff. I don't even think about the details otherwise. It's the whole deal for me. I don't normally break this all down, believe me. Haven't done a bit by bit thing, except for some of my young folks, in a long, long time.

 

[al6517]

Fred : let me be the first to congradulate you on a well run quiz, informative ingaging and a little fun, I am sure all the folks who rely on the egg layer breeds as their staple bird are happy you were able to share some of this with them.

Once again great job