Is this a show quality Barred Rock hen?

[motorboat]

To me she is spectacular in her shape and feathering. I have never had a female like this before. She came from Mt. Healthy Hatchery so I doubt she's from show stock but she sure looks pretty to me.

 

[Wyandottes7]

She is a pretty hen, and will likely be a great layer for you.

But, she isn't show quality. True purebred, show quality Rocks have a much different body type and color. Their tails are held more horizontally, they are deeper and more rectangular and shape, have crisper, cleaner barring with more definition between the black and the white, brighter yellow legs, and weight more than the average hatchery quality chicken. Show quality Plymouth Rocks bred to the APA Standard of Perfection shouldn't have the hump in the back (cushion) before the tail. Their tails are wider with more well-spread feathers.

 

[BantamLover21]

I agree with Wyandottes7.

Your hen is pretty, but not pretty in the way that the APA American Standard of Perfection calls for. True Barred Rocks should have deep, long bodies, flatter backs, more horizontal tails, and broader heads. Your hen's coloring could also be changed. You want barring to be very crisp and regular, with a sharp contrast between black and white bars.

 

[donrae]

Agree she's very nice for hatchery stock, lots better than some of my current stock. If you want to see what the real nice, SOP bred birds look like, check out this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/399477/barred-rocks-good-shepard-poulty-ranch

or there are a few more on heritage Rocks.

 

[motorboat]

Agree she's very nice for hatchery stock, lots better than some of my current stock. If you want to see what the real nice, SOP bred birds look like, check out this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/399477/barred-rocks-good-shepard-poulty-ranch

or there are a few more on heritage Rocks.

Wow, I see what everyone was talking about re: the horizontal back, immaculate barring.

Cool thread, thanks.

 

[donrae]

Yeah, those birds are just in a whole nother class, aren't they? I mean, I have hatchery birds and love them, but if I ever got serious and wanted to breed SOP birds, it would probably be barred Rocks. I can't imagine having a yard full of those beauties

 

[motorboat]

I guess I confused fat with show quality.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yeah, those birds are just in a whole nother class, aren't they? I mean, I have hatchery birds and love them, but if I ever got serious and wanted to breed SOP birds, it would probably be barred Rocks. I can't imagine having a yard full of those beauties

Rachel, when you get ready, drop me a line. donrae I'll send you a box of chicks.

Taking this little pullet to the Knoxville APA Nationals next week. My grandson will show her.


These some birds from our line that a fellow BYC is working on.






Here are another BYCer's birds from our line.

 

[donrae]

Fred

you're the best. Those birds are just

.

Is it weird to wish there was a reality show where, instead of redoing your house, some folks would come build barns/breeding pens? I'd sign up for that in a heartbeat!