Columbian Rock Bantams

[Bree99]

This is the main shapes of all the hens. Two have a more rounded tail and the other three’s tails come to a point. Of the two shapes which is the best?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I'd be very interested in seeing how you progress with this flock. You should join Mosey and I in the Plymouth Rock Thread Part Deux. It's a therapy group for Rock heads as we strive for Standard of Perfection.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-plymouth-rock-breeders-thread-part-deux.1296652/

 

[Amer]

The tail angle on the cock is hard to judge. It looks too high but he also looks like he is missing some feathers. Tell me, does he look like he'll grow more feathers?
I had a Buckeye cock who didn't hold up his tail at all, and it was quite scraggly. A shame since the rest of him looked quite nice.
Pulled out the tail feathers, and they grew back in at a good angle straight and smooth.
Sometimes it's not the genetics, it's the condition.
Now he is walking the yard nicely. Before he was not the dominant cock, which didn't really encourage his tail. He still has to grow in those sickle feathers, but his main tail is enough to show us what it will look like.

 

[Bree99]

The tail angle on the cock is hard to judge. It looks too high but he also looks like he is missing some feathers. Tell me, does he look like he'll grow more?
I had a Buckeye cock who didn't hold up his tail at all, and it was quite scraggly. A shame since the rest of him looked quite nice.
Pulled out the tail feathers, and they grew back in at a good angle straight and smooth.
Sometimes it's not the genetics, it's the condition.
Now he is walking the yard nicely. Before he was not the dominant cock, which didn't really encourage his tail. He still has to grow in those sickle feathers, but his main tail is enough to show us what it will look like.

He’s two years old. He may have just been kept in not as good of condition before I got him. His spurs and beak were way over grown.

 

[Amer]

He’s two years old. He may have just been kept in not as good of condition before I got him. His spurs and beak were way over grown.

Any pin feathers in his tail?

 

[Bree99]

I'd be very interested in seeing how you progress with this flock. You should join Mosey and I in the Plymouth Rock Thread Part Deux. It's a therapy group for Rock heads as we strive for Standard of Perfection.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-plymouth-rock-breeders-thread-part-deux.1296652/

Will do! Could you look at my post above with the tail shapes of the hens and give me some advice on that? Is that what you mean by cushion?

 

[Cyprus]

Will do! Could you look at my post above with the tail shapes of the hens and give me some advice on that? Is that what you mean by cushion?

I can check my APA book in a bit, but I believe Plymouth Rocks are supposed to have thinner tails like the first.

 

[Amer]

Will do! Could you look at my post above with the tail shapes of the hens and give me some advice on that? Is that what you mean by cushion?

Cushion is a cushion of feathers at the base of the tail. Cochins have a large cushion. However, we do not want that. The best way to inspect is from behind. Does the tail tent make a wide triangular shape with the body? If not, the tail is probably too pinched.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I can check my APA book in a bit, but I believe Plymouth Rocks are supposed to have thinner tails like the first.

It's the opposite, wide inverted V tail is the goal. It's hard to keep up with every breed, no worries.

This is the main shapes of all the hens. Two have a more rounded tail and the other three’s tails come to a point. Of the two shapes which is the best?

You need photo shots from above looking down at back and from behind looking at butt. These combined with the profile give a mental image of what's going on with a bird. One photo can't show it all. The not to glamorous pics tell much more.

From what I can see of the two photos referred to the second looks to have a wider tail set. This is what you want. Wide tail (upside down wide V) denotes a wide back carried all the way, not narrowing from shoulder to tail.

Cushion is just forward of tail. Bumps of feathers there is not wanted. Cochin have pronounced cushion, it's wanted. Rocks have a problem with cushion. It is a bain of many of the varieties of Plymouth Rock. The back line should be straight all the way to tail. Curve at neck then straight line all the way to tip of tail. The angle of line should be 15 degrees from horizontal.

I've got an old pic of one of my birds. It's deceptive as she was not a great bird but shows a near perfect back.

 

[Bree99]

I will get some more detailed pictures when I get home from work this evening. IF I can get everyone to cooperate and stand still