Plymouth Rock thread!

[lilchick88]

Our Barred Plymouth Rock "pullets"

We are beginner chicken owners so some insight would be wonderful been reading through and so happy we decided on these babies for our family. We have 3 chicken crazy kiddos 6, 4, 18month. Anyway, any opinions on if we snagged a cockrell in our process? We bought them at Orschelins if that makes a difference. I guess the one we are all the most curious about is the one with the very unique coloring on the face (my 4 year old sons pick). Thanks in advance!

 

[tigercreek]

You'll be able to tell better when they feather out, but the bottom right and the bottom left look to me like they have the stout 'boy' legs. .........stan

Our Barred Plymouth Rock "pullets"

We are beginner chicken owners so some insight would be wonderful

been reading through and so happy we decided on these babies for our family. We have 3 chicken crazy kiddos 6, 4, 18month. Anyway, any opinions on if we snagged a cockrell in our process? We bought them at Orschelins if that makes a difference. I guess the one we are all the most curious about is the one with the very unique coloring on the face (my 4 year old sons pick). Thanks in advance!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Wait until they are six weeks old. Hatchery stock feathers quickly. The cockerels will feather lighter, brighter, with bold barring as they carry 2 genes. Pullets will appear dark and spotty, with hatchery stock.

Further, the cockerels will show definite red combs and red wattles, while the pullets will remain yellow in those features. Side by side, it is easy to see the difference.

With purebred, heritage Barred Rocks, the same principles apply, it just takes a bit longer, as they develop more slowly.

Here's two pairs. One heritage and the other hatchery type stock. Do your eyes see the obvious difference in the cockerels and pullets? Click on the photos to enlarge.

 

[4Hgirl]

I'm so excited I can't sleep. The birds we ordered from Dick Horstman are on their way. I'm new to this thread but thought I would join since we have a three LF silver penciled rocks and three bantam barred rocks on the way! We already have two LF barred rocks from my daughters 4H poultry project two seasons ago. I can't wait to see the difference in the heritage birds from the hatchery birds.

 

[bellaleah]

I'm so excited I can't sleep. The birds we ordered from Dick Horstman are on their way. I'm new to this thread but thought I would join since we have a three LF silver penciled rocks and three bantam barred rocks on the way! We already have two LF barred rocks from my daughters 4H poultry project two seasons ago. I can't wait to see the difference in the heritage birds from the hatchery birds.

what are supposed to be the differences between heritage and hatchery rocks? i am looking for a few barred rocks, this will be my first time raising chickens. but i would like to get the better of the two , if i can. is dick horstman shipping to you?

 

[Fred's Hens]

what are supposed to be the differences between heritage and hatchery rocks? i am looking for a few barred rocks, this will be my first time raising chickens. but i would like to get the better of the two , if i can. is dick horstman shipping to you?

Night and day. Hatchery stock is criss crossed in the background with other breeds, namely Leghorn, to increase laying and thus profits, smaller, quicker to feather and quicker to lay. Generally two pounds lighter, haven't been bred to the Standard for decades, have rather messy barring, rarely go broody, etc,

The true bred, Standard bred, heritage bird is larger, feather more slowly, mature much more slowly, is HUGE in comparison, gentle, can be broody, often live a longer life, have dazzling, sharp barring.

















You cannot buy birds, such as these, from a hatchery or feed store.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
X2
Many people have a particular breed from a particular old line of birds that can be dated back many generations thus Heritage.

 

[RachaelS]

You cannot buy birds, such as these, from a hatchery or feed store.

WOW, he is mesmerizing!!!!!

 

[bellaleah]

Night and day. Hatchery stock is criss crossed in the background with other breeds, namely Leghorn, to increase laying and thus profits, smaller, quicker to feather and quicker to lay. Generally two pounds lighter, haven't been bred to the Standard for decades, have rather messy barring, rarely go broody, etc,

The true bred, Standard bred, heritage bird is larger, feather more slowly, mature much more slowly, is HUGE in comparison, gentle, can be broody, often live a longer life, have dazzling, sharp barring.

















You cannot buy birds, such as these, from a hatchery or feed store.

 

[Fred's Hens]

If you are just starting out, I would recommend just getting some chickens from a hatchery, feed store or at a swap from someone with a good reputation.

There is a learning curve with chicken husbandry and it best to practice for a year or two with such birds. When you are ready, you can follow along on the Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch thread, or the Heritage Large Fowl Thread.

On these threads, you will find more than a few people who have Barred Rocks of this quality, including me. They often sell fertile eggs to hatch or occasionally, they will ship you started chicks, although the former is affordable and the latter is a bit expensive.