!!!ENDED!!! 2009 February Barred Rock Show

[Blinkysstars3]

Thank You So Much~! Hahn is very Proud of his new title.

 

[Kelly G]

Congrats! Hahn IS really handsome! My girls would certainly approve!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Hmm...I hope it's not SOP, that makes me worry what people think is show material??

Kelly, I DID like your chicken butt!

I'm not trying to put down anyone, but I'm just curious as to how the judging was done specifically?

Congrats Blinkysstars3!

 

[jipjip]

Hi
I really liked seeing all the photos and Esmeralda will be very excited that she got 3rd!

I do have lots of questions about barred rocks and wonder if one of you other lovely barred rock owners might be able to answer them . What does SOP mean? Are there two strains of Barred Rock - Show Quality and Utility? Is there any link between what they look like and how well they lay or is it two completely different unrelated traits? Can you tell a good layer by the look of her? And does the weight/size of the hen have anything to do with laying ability?. Lots of questions sorry but hoping someone might know some of these things, as I am really curious about it. Also does anyone know how long a Barred Rock hen will keep laying for on average?

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I'll try to answer some of your questions here...

SOP: Standard of Perfection. It is published by the APA or American Poultry Association. All APA/ABA (American Bantam Assoc.) are judged according to the SOP.

There are actually 3 types of Barred Rocks.

There are utility (from a hatchery), there are Light Barred and then there are Dark Barred. Dark barred birds have ALOT more barring, but still maintain that distinct pattern. They are generally only found in the UK but some breeders are managing to get them from across the pond.

Utility male:

Light Barred Male:

(I can't WAIT to see how he turns out!)

Dark Barred Male:

They are all considered the same variety, but there is a distinct difference.

There is a link somehow. Show birds are larger than their utility counterparts. They are bred according to the standard. With the larger size, the laying ability is decreased. Size and egg production are negatively coorelated (for example: meat birds don't lay eggs well because of their large size). They still lay very well, just not in the large amounts of the utility barred rock.

A Barred Rock hen can lay her entire life. The number of eggs in her ovary (they generally only use the left ovary and the right atrophies) are a set number. She will continue to lay until she has no more in there. You can count on them laying for at least 5 years, but realize the eggs will get fewer and further between. I had a hen that laid eggs for up to 7 years and then decided she was an internal layer and had to put her down.

 

[Kelly G]

Boy! Those are gorgeous birds! Really beautiful!

 

[EC]

I judged based on my experience. Hahn looked most like my Barred Rock rooster, which got a blue at the county fair.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Wow....I'm assuming the judging wasn't based on the SOP then at the fair.

That's a shame.

Oh well, thank you for judging this competition as you saw fit.

 

[EC]

This is my first tim doing this, I did not know about the different varieties of Barred Rocks.

 

[jipjip]

Thanks for all the information! I'm really pleased about the long time of laying - we had some red shavers first of all and they stopped at 2 years (all worn out I guess). Old Esmeralda might get to be around for a good long time then. I get really fond of some of the barred rocks, they are quite tame and good natured overall. I love the look of the really big birds but as we also want plenty of eggs I will now look at the smaller ones in a new light.

I love the pictures of your roosters - they are fantastic! I would love to keep one but know that the crowing would drive the neighbours mad. so have to rely on buying fertile eggs from breeders. Mostly hobby breeders here in NZ - no hatchery for barred rocks that i am aware of.

Really appreciate your time - thanks!