The weather today was cold and rainy so I wasn't able to get pics or put them in cages to compare them. We did however weigh and band the birds. Handled them a good bit to feel the body structure and just get a good look at them. On a nice day this week I'll get them into cages and get some good pics.
Of the 7 cockerels @ 21weeks:
3 weighed 7.4 lbs
2 weighed 7 lbs
1 weighed 6.6 lbs
1 weighed 8.4 lbs
The heaviest bird was kinda shocking. He is a little shorter and wider than the others, and did not expect him to be so heavy. When feeling him, he has the most developed breasts of the bunch, and a very wide back all the way to the tail. His comb and wing carriage is also nice compared to the others. Has the thickest shanks.
The lightest bird is also the most narrow of the bunch. His comb is also flopping over toward the back. I feel he will certainly be a cull.
The rest are pretty close and I will get some good pics, and measurements before making a decision on them. Of those cockerels, I have picked out 2 of them that I think could be culled do to things that stand out to me.
The 9 pullets weigh 4.2-5lbs. Some appear to be getting close to laying.
Pelvic bones are flexible and not pointed. 2 of the pullets could fit two fingers between, 3-1.5 fingers, and 5-1 finger. I forgot to measure from the keel bone to the pelvic bones and will do that this week when I check them again.
A couple of the pullets were noticeably wider down the back and deeper in build. They were the heavier birds and 2 finger pelvic bones.
Under color on all of the birds seems right. Eye, beak, leg color seems fine. Ticking on the pullet neck hackles varies a lot between birds as does the tail black. I think a picture of a tail from a good pullet could help me visualize better what I'm looking for. There may not be anything wrong with mine, I just do not understand what the SOP is calling for.
All in all it was a lot of fun to be out there with my daughter, catching and holding the birds. It's been a while since I've caught any for weighing. It's amazing what you can learn just by weighing and putting your hands on the birds. It was an enjoyable time and there was no aggressiveness shown by the cockerels. Looking forward to it this coming week.
The lightest cockerel with the comb flopping over is certainly a cull. Combs are highly heritable, and it is not difficult to allow combs to become a problem. These, generally, have pretty good combs. No need to lose a strength.
All of the weights are good. The largest birds will be over Standard weight by a good bit. Too much, but that will correct itself if you select properly. The current is pulling the size down. Select for early maturity (@ 12-14wks), and focus on type. The size will moderate. It is more of a concern to lose it. Then you are fighting against the current to regain it. The current is running in two directions at the same time, always drifting towards mediocrity. Bantams trend larger without pressure on our part, and large fowl trend smaller if we allow them.
Handling the birds as you describe is important. Looks can be deceiving. We "prove" them in our hands and on the scales.
It is hard to get a nicely rounded breast consistently. This and length (and depth) of keel is a point that needs improvement. Learn to see it, and emphasize it early, and your birds will be better for it later.
The pullets may lay later on you than the will in the future. The decreasing daylight can delay them. Hopefully they will lay before it gets especially late and cold.
The goal is (for me), usually, is to get them laying and the egg size up before my hens start to molt. By Oct. 1, I want them to have been laying for 4-6wks.
The pullets/hens tend to have too small of a comb to me. I like to see larger thicker combs on the hens. For the combs to lean to one side in the rear. It is related to hormone levels etc. Aesthetically, they appear more maternal. I like medium large combs on the males. Large really, but not excessively large.
A NH female's capacity is in their width and depth. Not as much in their length. Keep that in mind. Once you get a feel for when yours come into lay, establish a time to check for pelvic spread.
It is important that the females have width and depth to. In a pair, they are 50% of the contribution. You only need 4 to start with.
These birds tend to have good heads. Hold on to them. A good head is where our eye is drawn. A poor head on an otherwise good bird is deficient. Do not lose what you have while you work on one or two traits is the goal.
Watch for smut in the under color.
Get a picture of the males and female's tails. Also spread wings.
Much of breeding this color is balancing the black. Not too much, enough, and in the right places. Certain points are indicators, and indicators of tendencies. Sometimes a little more is helpful to balance not enough etc.
