Controlling Plymouth Rocks

[BlackHackle]

Very nice body type on that hen. Hows her tail look from behind? Bet it's a perfect tent. I let go a hen this spring that had a back line like that, gravy bowl profile. Her tail tent was narrower than I wanted. In hindsight I've been kicking myself since as she would have thrown excellent birds. Have her Dam still so know I can recreate to move forward.

The above K is going to be my breeder for at least 2019, maybe longer. He's got a few problems but the best I've got to work with. Size, width, color are very good, legs could be better and tail set is low by 15 degrees. I've had bright yellow legs on k's that had too many other faults. Believe I'll get that bright yellow again when I back cross him to the F1's. This is the K that passed 4 lbs @ 11 weeks and was over 7.5 lbs @ 19 weeks before going to fair. He's going to throw some awesome pullets. He's got the length I need for that. All and all happy with him.

It was a different thread you'd asked if I was trying to create a line. Yeah, trying. Had two lines, each with different problems so crossed them. Was a small hatch this spring and didn't get anything noteworthy for F2 pullets but this K I'm keeping. About to collect for F1BCD fall hatch. They should throw a keeper pullet or two.

Her tail actually sits at a bit more of an angle higher but she was just idling lazily when the picture was taken. She's actually smaller than she appears. The tail sits well from behind

Sounds like you got some great things going with your rocks

 

[BlackHackle]

Really nice type on her. One thing to work on is depth of breast though. Though her head is large like it is supposed to be, without depth of breast, it warps the type so her head appears too large. At least, that is how it appears to me. I am not as experienced with Rocks as you, but I thought you might want my insight.
Back line nice, excellent tail and nice fluff.
Neck is good.
Beautiful coloring. Just that breast.

I know all about that. Besides shanks that's the other issue with her. But thanks for the input anyways

 

[BlackHackle]

View attachment 1510104

A balanced front to back look maybe like this?

View attachment 1510108

And then you see why I let her go...

Photo from last year, F1 pullet. Believe I can recreate at least if not better.

I suppose you are also working on saddle penciling right? Great pullet though

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Yeah right? You can almost see the gravy pouring from her beak.

When I think old fashion gravy bowl profile this is what is in my mind. Now to recreate and improve...

Saddle penciling? Geesh, I got enough to work on already. LOL. Yeah, we'll never get our perfect bird but it's fun trying.

 

[BlackHackle]

Yeah right? You can almost see the gravy pouring from her beak.

When I think old fashion gravy bowl profile this is what is in my mind. Now to recreate and improve...

Saddle penciling? Geesh, I got enough to work on already. LOL. Yeah, we'll never get our perfect bird but it's fun trying.

You sure can

It is a challenge to improve an existing line. But it is also worth trying. I'm doing it with Sultans and Light Sussex

 

[Amer]

I know all about that. Besides shanks that's the other issue with her. But thanks for the input anyways

I thought you probably knew about it. At least you won't have to work on the pencilling in your birds it looks really clean on her.

 

[BlackHackle]

I thought you probably knew about it. At least you won't have to work on the pencilling in your birds it looks really clean on her.

Yea, now to work on the hackle feathers. They need to be more prominent. The list is endless but she's a start

 

[Amer]

Yea, now to work on the hackle feathers. They need to be more prominent. The list is endless but she's a start

I was actually thinking that too but wasn't sure if what I thought the Standard was trying to tell be was correct or if I was digging a hole for my reputation on knowing how it worked.

 

[BlackHackle]

I was actually thinking that too but wasn't sure if what I thought the Standard was trying to tell be was correct or if I was digging a hole for my reputation on knowing how it worked.

I accept most pointers and thoughts so if you ever have something to say you are more than welcome to do so

I feel the Standard by which Partridge Rocks are bred is rather off in that they ask for an extremely dark red in Partridge Rocks and most people got this brown color like my hens

 

[BlackHackle]

I should, however, clearify that the birds judges are calling well bred are normally a lighter color than the ones in the standard examples