Meat bird egg production

[archeryrob]

I'd be interested in that. I'd pay you for your trouble. Worst case I just kil off all the hatchery birds. Let me know, I'd like to see some info on these birds

Now, I want to raise some chickens, but having a group in my feed that chats about chickens all the time might where thin on me. I check it out and disconnect if I can't handle it.

 

[Mosey2003]

I'd be interested in that. I'd pay you for your trouble. Worst case I just kil off all the hatchery birds. Let me know, I'd like to see some info on these birds

Now, I want to raise some chickens, but having a group in my feed that chats about chickens all the time might where thin on me. I check it out and disconnect if I can't handle it.

The Rock breeder group really isn't very active at all. It's most useful if you want to post and ask if someone in your area has something to sell. If you could get a nice trio or quad that are ready to go for spring mating that's within driving distance, of course that would be best as there wouldn't be shipping involved, and you can look at them in person.

It probably doesn't sound like it from what I've posted, but I've liked my hatchery Rock girls too. The males, not in the slightest. The hatchery hens are aggressive/scrappy as heck with each other though, that and their size has been the major cons to me. I've crossed heritage onto them up to 3/4s and they tend to keep that attitude, too. The heritage hens are all pretty mild tempered, especially in comparison.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If I wanted to get some "Heritage", as in good large stock, Barred Rocks where would anyone recommend be buying some to breed? I'd probably only get 4 -5 hens and 1 rooster to start off for filling the incubator. Or would is just be best to buy 30 unsexed from hoovers and pick the best rooster and 5 hens?

https://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Uniontown_Poultry_Association.html

Above link is soonest APA sanctioned show near you. Below is links by state to find when and where poultry shows will be held.

https://www.poultryshowcentral.com/State.html

Don't even bother with hatchery birds if a true dual purpose bird is your intent. There is no comparison of standard bred birds to hatchery stock. APA sanctioned shows is a good way to find stock. You get to see the birds in person, many people at the show will be local (relatively) and there is a sale area if you get there early enough to purchase birds people are not showing. Good stock that didn't make the cut to be shown. If you locate breeders in your region the shows are good place to preplan a sale. Find a breeder, see what near show they are going to and set up to purchase a pair or trio from them there so they bring it.

The Barred look nice but if your sole purpose is size and fleshing the white are better option. Also if you only want one breed instead of making hybrids think on lines of Red Dorking. Or New Hampshire or Buckeye. Don't get me wrong, I love my Plymouth Rocks but there are better suited birds for a one breed dual purpose flock.

 

[Mosey2003]

Right, I still say go to shows and look and chat. And good Buckeyes will be better than Barred Rocks. But really, my Barred butcher quite nicely in my opinion. 4lbs at 18 weeks really isn't bad at all.

 

[archeryrob]

I might start with the barred. i can always add another small breeder coop for other kinds.