Plymouth Rock thread!

[Yard full o' rocks]

Evening all....been 4+ days of NOTHING but rain. I let out my "grow out cockerels" this afternoon. Pictures aren't great, but gives you an idea of the type I have kept...best 5 I raised this year. These cockerels are 6 1/2 months old, from 2 different sires

 

[chickenpooplady]

Please post your bird in the appropriate section - see here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...he-bst-area-animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing

Thanks!

~BYC Staff

 

[Wynette]

Evening all....been 4+ days of NOTHING but rain. I let out my "grow out cockerels" this afternoon. Pictures aren't great, but gives you an idea of the type I have kept...best 5 I raised this year. These cockerels are 6 1/2 months old, from 2 different sires

I'm Jonesing for those legs.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

I'm Jonesing for those legs.

Wynette

Hopefully that CR male you have will pass along those traits....if not, next Newnan show, I'll get you a "new one"!! I've about decided on the 2 keepers unless someone just "jumps up" here pretty quick and gets my attn. Its good that I travel so I dont see them "every day" and can see noticeable changes after being gone 3-4 days

 

[Silver Rock]

Here is a picture of a nest box I put in the breeding house today. I have a few more months to go until I start getting eggs.

My Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks at 3 months old.

 

[LaLa Chickie]

Here is a picture of a nest box I put in the breeding house today. I have a few more months to go until I start getting eggs.

My Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks at 3 months old.

so pretty!

 

[Silver Rock]

My Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks I got from Dick Horstman a few months ago. They are 3 months old today. I am very happy in the way they are filling out.

 

[Silver Rock]

Here is the weights I got this morning on my Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.

3 months old

ID# H001-M13 / male / 60 oz
ID# H002-M13 / male / 44 oz
ID# H003-M13 / male / 45 oz
ID# H004-M13 / male / 41 oz
ID# H005-M13 / male / 41 oz
ID# H006-M13 / male / 37 oz
ID# H008-F13 / female / 35 oz
ID# H009-F13 / female / 41 oz
ID# H010-F13 / female / 40 oz
ID# H011-F13 / female / 35 oz
ID# H012-F13 / female / 30 oz

My plan is if Male # H001-M13 keeps improving, he will be put in a breeding pen with all the females. With the exception of the smallest female if she continues to fall in weight. I want to get as many chicks on the ground as possible next year with his blood. Then the following year put the largest females into two breeding pens. One pen with half of the largest females of 2014 hatch back to H001-M13. The other pen with the other half of the largest females of 2014 hatch to the second largest male of this year. This is just what I am planning and could change. My goal is to get between 75 to 100 chicks on ground next year and cull down to around 10 to put into breeding pens.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Here is the weights I got this morning on my Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.

3 months old

ID# H001-M13 / male / 60 oz
ID# H002-M13 / male / 44 oz
ID# H003-M13 / male / 45 oz
ID# H004-M13 / male / 41 oz
ID# H005-M13 / male / 41 oz
ID# H006-M13 / male / 37 oz
ID# H008-F13 / female / 35 oz
ID# H009-F13 / female / 41 oz
ID# H010-F13 / female / 40 oz
ID# H011-F13 / female / 35 oz
ID# H012-F13 / female / 30 oz

My plan is if Male # H001-M13 keeps improving, he will be put in a breeding pen with all the females. With the exception of the smallest female if she continues to fall in weight. I want to get as many chicks on the ground as possible next year with his blood. Then the following year put the largest females into two breeding pens. One pen with half of the largest females of 2014 hatch back to H001-M13. The other pen with the other half of the largest females of 2014 hatch to the second largest male of this year. This is just what I am planning and could change. My goal is to get between 75 to 100 chicks on ground next year and cull down to around 10 to put into breeding pens.

Your pix sure look nice....they are coming along well. Keep your focus on size/type as you are and try not to let color distract you

On your breeding plan, I would suggest an alteration (just my opinion from mentors who helped to get me started)

Breed your best 2014 cockerel back to his mother/aunts (your current, 2013, best 2 females)

Breeding your best 2014 pullets to a different cockerel might set you back (might not, but it does introduce some add't genetic variables). I would suggest breeding your 2 best 2014 pullets back to their sire, especially since you selected him based on him being the largest in his group

When I first started, I would raise 125-150 chicks each yr and culled down to the best 4 hens/pullets and the best 2 cockbirds/cockerels....ruthless culling decisions early in your project will pay huge dividends down the road, and you'll be able to raise PLENTY of chicks. Not sure where you live (I'm in NW Ga) and I start hatching in Nov (probably start in Oct this yr based on advise from a long time breeder here in the south)

Have fun

 

[Silver Rock]

Your pix sure look nice....they are coming along well.  Keep your focus on size/type as you are and try not to let color distract you

On your breeding plan, I would suggest an alteration (just my opinion from mentors who helped to get me started)

Breed your best 2014 cockerel back to his mother/aunts (your current, 2013, best 2 females)

Breeding your best 2014 pullets to a different cockerel might set you back (might not, but it does introduce some add't genetic variables).  I would suggest breeding your 2 best 2014 pullets back to their sire, especially since you selected him based on him being the largest in his group

When I first started, I would raise 125-150 chicks each yr and culled down to the best 4 hens/pullets and the best 2 cockbirds/cockerels....ruthless culling decisions early in your project will pay huge dividends down the road, and you'll be able to raise PLENTY of chicks.  Not sure where you live (I'm in NW Ga) and I start hatching in Nov (probably start in Oct this yr based on advise from a long time breeder here in the south)

Have fun

Hi Scott
Thank you for the information. I will definitely keep this breeding plan in mind.