Plymouth Rock thread!

[Peneliva]

Fred the barred is a hatchery bird I am sure. The Silver Pencil is a breeder bred bird from a guy who lives locally and shows. She is 11 months and the barred 8.

The silver pencil...how old will she be before she lays?

Also according to the width of the pelvic bones. The barred rock is 3 fingers. And the silver pencil is 1 finger.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Fred the barred is a hatchery bird I am sure. The Silver Pencil is a breeder bred bird from a guy who lives locally and shows. She is 11 months and the barred 8.

The silver pencil...how old will she be before she lays?

Breeder stock, if from a quality breeder who really cares about the breed, produces stock bred to the SOP, the Standard of Perfection for the breed. True bred is the term I like to use. Some breeders "over focus" shall we say on the type of the bird. This is understandable with the SPR variety as they need so much work, at least that's the consensus. But, a breeder bird can sometimes be something of a two edged sword. They can be very s-l-o-w.

Once the line is improved, the breeding pressure needs to be put on quicker feathering (which relates to early laying) and overall quicker weight and size gains. This all takes years and years of commitment to a breed.

Your Barred Rock is not bred to standard, as it is easy to tell. She's got Dominique blended into her, and most likely Leghorn as well. This is very typical of hatchery birds sold as BR but really, they are super high performance, production birds. They just sorta-kinda look similar to a Barred Rock. It's overwhelmingly what the hatcheries sell. These birds are simply more profitable to the hatchery. Doesn't make them bad birds, in fact, it was most people want for more pet quality, backyard bird.

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised that it will take until spring for SPR to begin laying.

 

[DMRippy]

Ok so I came here looking for info on Silver penciled rocks and partridge rocks (I have some of Horstman's) and now I am seeing the nicer barred rocks and am trying not to lose my focus...what gorgeous birds!

but...focus...I..cannot...have...every...breed/color...under...the....sun...

Background: I have Mareks on my land so I feel I must have a closed flock (to birds going out) and I have too many roosters, but I have a failing of falling in love with the boys. they have such personality!

I started off thinking I wanted Dorkings. but after having a few rocks, I am waffling on that plan. They are such great birds!

But honestly, I need females, not more males that I cant bear to get rid of. I currently have a 1:2 ratio and that's not easy!

I was wondering if I put a regular penciled Roo over silver penciled Girls...they might be sex linked and I could hatch them out at work and only bring home the girls. Do you guys think the difference in color between the babies of that combination would be enough to tell? I have been looking for pictures of both types as chicks but so far not finding any to compare.

I can sex SG dorking chicks at hatch and can tell that they are different from the red dorkings...so I only need a slight difference.

what are you calling a reg penciled Roo?

You can get sex links I think with the SPPR hen/pullets under a Partridge but not sure that would help you much. The silver is sex linked but not sure what they would look like. You can put a Barred hen under a SPPR roo and get reg sex links.

I thought you were into chickens for the eggs? What are you doing with REG BROWN EGG layers LOL

 

[aoxa]

Gatsby. His tail is filling in. In 3 weeks I already notice a difference



This is 3 weeks ago

 

[pysankigirl]

I KNOW right???? that's the only bad thing about rocks is the egg color. but I do have all sorts of egg colors in my laying flock. So I will always have the dorkings as well. but I feel like I have enough laying white for now.

Ooops....I meant Partridge Roo., not pencilled.

gagh...maybe this isnt' the best Idea. I am already feelling guilty about giving the day old boys to the guy with the snake. I am so not cut out for chicken breeding. This is why I have so many friggin boys, though. I need a way of getting just girls.

so anyone have pictures of partridge rocks as day old chicks? is there much of a difference between them and the silver pencilled?

partridge is just the red version of silver pencilled, right? I only hatched one out and it was male. I wold love to get some partridge girls out of this.

 

[Anna6]

Visiting and lurking.

I am interested in starting with Heritage Barred Rock or now I saw pictures of Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks I like those too. Are the Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks the same as the Barred Rock but only different in color?

I am in the San Diego area California and am looking for anyone close by or I might look at buying eggs or chicks.

If it is between eggs or chicks what is your preference and why?

Any breeder/ hatcheries you recommend?

 

[DMRippy]

Visiting and lurking.

I am interested in starting with Heritage Barred Rock or now I saw pictures of Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks I like those too. Are the Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks the same as the Barred Rock but only different in color?

I am in the San Diego area California and am looking for anyone close by or I might look at buying eggs or chicks.

If it is between eggs or chicks what is your preference and why?

Any breeder/ hatcheries you recommend?

If you can get chicks.... get chicks. they are a sure thing. Eggs are iffy at best.

Barred Rocks and Silver Penciled Rocks are the same breed different Color Varieties.

 

[rooster buyer]

I was wondering at what age can my barred rock rooster start to breed.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If you can get chicks.... get chicks. they are a sure thing. Eggs are iffy at best.

Barred Rocks and Silver Penciled Rocks are the same breed different Color Varieties.

I agree that shipped eggs are a gamble, had the worst luck with them. Love hatching chicks and raising them but if they need to be shipped your almost better off purchasing a pair for more up front shipping cost and hatching those eggs.

Silver Rock just posted that Die Fly Ranch is in California and they have Silver Penciled. There must be heritage breeders of Barred Rock in CA too.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I was wondering at what age can my barred rock rooster start to breed.

There is no specific age that a rooster starts to mate. People might be able to give you an overall idea, but in reality it could be way off. Each chicken is different