Plymouth Rock thread!

[aoxa]

I think we are getting close to egg day. These girls are 18 weeks old and are getting bigger combs and wattles.

 

[speckledhen]

Dru is 23 weeks old and I don't expect eggs from her for another month if her mother and aunts are any indication. These heritage Rocks are definitely slower to come into lay.

 

[tigercreek]

Dru is 23 weeks old and I don't expect eggs from her for another month if her mother and aunts are any indication. These heritage Rocks are definitely slower to come into lay.

Mine make me wait a long time too. I'd be pleased if they started to lay in less than 30 - 34 weeks!! I was told the other day that the deep set, sunken looking eyes like I see in Dru is an indication that she will be a good layer. Ever hear that one? Same guy gave me a lot of good info about wormers and treatments, so I kinda' think it might be more than an old wives tale?? .....stan

 

[PEI chicken]

Hi folks

About the length of time it takes the heritage rocks to start laying, has anyone ever tried selective breeding to see if keeping earlier laying hens for successive generations will help ?

I am just starting a heritage flock of spprs and would eventually like to have the pullets start laying earlier than 25 weeks, instead of 30+ weeks. So far I have 8 new pullets this year and plan to keep them all, but next year I will be culling out birds that dont meet The Standard. I dont plan to show them; I want to have a flock that will lay well and produce meat birds too. I am wondering how best to keep track of the date that my pullets start laying and then the laying date of subsequent offspring. Or whether this would be a lost cause, so no need to expend the effort

I added a video of my set up to another thread yesterday (in the Pictures and Stories of my Chickens forum), if you are interested to see them.

If anyone has kept records for start of lay dates, I would like to know the outcome and whether it is worthwhile trying to raise a flock of spprs that begin laying earlier. Thank you.

 

[CGinJCMO]

You could use a simple Excel spreadsheet
To keep track of how old each bird is (without YOU using a calculator) use this formula
=MIN(ROUND((NOW()-D3)/7,0),26) & " Weeks"

D3 uses the hatch date (in my spreadsheet - use which ever column you use)
Now takes "today's" date according to the computer.
When you get an egg, transfer the age into a separate column. Hubby set it up for me so I'd have to ask him for more info if there's any questions.


BTW, I've read the whole thread and feel like I should probably introduce myself since I'm injecting myself into the conversation.

I'm Cheri and I have three hatchery Barred Rock pullets and one BR cockerel (that just finally learned to crow - sort of, he only has one lone note instead of the usual several notes and pauses heard in a crow). I have them loose with Pullets: 2 Production/Rhoad Island Reds, 4 Red Stars, 1 white Easter Egger, and 2 Easter Egger cockerels (supposed to have been girls too). My sons are suppose to look after the 1Partridge Silkie, 2 Porcelain d'Uccles and 1 Old English Game (DS1) and 6 d'uccle chicks (DS2) but I'm sure I'll be looking after them too.

So far, my one EE is the only layer but my reds are getting really red around the eyes and the combs and wattles have grown bigger so I think it's just a matter of time. The Barred are younger so I don't think I'll see eggs too soon from them. Speaking of eggs, do they look different from the red chickens (darker/lighter, speckled, shape?).

I originally got the BR because I love the way they look, and the reds for major egg eating. I grew up with plain white chickens and black/white-crested polish (the polish were suppose to be a 4H project but they ended up being bald because the others were jealous). I bought the BR cockerel chick to be daddy and protector but ended up with another roo so I now have to decide what to do because hubby is getting irritated by the crowing (don't know why...house windows are closed and he's gone to work most of the day so what's his problem?

)

CG

 

[DMRippy]

You could use a simple Excel spreadsheet
To keep track of how old each bird is (without YOU using a calculator) use this formula
=MIN(ROUND((NOW()-D3)/7,0),26) & " Weeks"

D3 uses the hatch date (in my spreadsheet - use which ever column you use)
Now takes "today's" date according to the computer.
When you get an egg, transfer the age into a separate column. Hubby set it up for me so I'd have to ask him for more info if there's any questions.


BTW, I've read the whole thread and feel like I should probably introduce myself since I'm injecting myself into the conversation.

I'm Cheri and I have three hatchery Barred Rock pullets and one BR cockerel (that just finally learned to crow - sort of, he only has one lone note instead of the usual several notes and pauses heard in a crow). I have them loose with Pullets: 2 Production/Rhoad Island Reds, 4 Red Stars, 1 white Easter Egger, and 2 Easter Egger cockerels (supposed to have been girls too). My sons are suppose to look after the 1Partridge Silkie, 2 Porcelain d'Uccles and 1 Old English Game (DS1) and 6 d'uccle chicks (DS2) but I'm sure I'll be looking after them too.

So far, my one EE is the only layer but my reds are getting really red around the eyes and the combs and wattles have grown bigger so I think it's just a matter of time. The Barred are younger so I don't think I'll see eggs too soon from them. Speaking of eggs, do they look different from the red chickens (darker/lighter, speckled, shape?).

I originally got the BR because I love the way they look, and the reds for major egg eating. I grew up with plain white chickens and black/white-crested polish (the polish were suppose to be a 4H project but they ended up being bald because the others were jealous). I bought the BR cockerel chick to be daddy and protector but ended up with another roo so I now have to decide what to do because hubby is getting irritated by the crowing (don't know why...house windows are closed and he's gone to work most of the day so what's his problem?

)

CG

Ok... I am NOT even going to try to figure that formula out.... way over my head. BUT I will copy it and use it at some point. Thanks!

Welcome!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote: I guess I'm not the math whiz I used to be, because I can't figure out that formula either.

 

[fowlman01]

I guess I'm not the math whiz I used to be, because I can't figure out that formula either.

I think you need to know MS Excel........piece of cake.

Walt

 

[Wallydvr]

Ok we just received our first 5 chicks from meyers hatchery. 3of which are barred rocks (one of which is supposed to be a roo), and other two are RI reds. They are now three weeks old. My question is do i need to routinely handle then to make them less skitish. The barred rocks will come to me in the brooder to peck at my hand, but not to pet. The rir s are very timid and are at the bottom of The pecking order. Again these are our first birds. Thanks for any info in advance.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Whatever happened to simple calculators? I can do that! Computers - not so much.