RIR Breed Thread

[RoseMarie1]

Ouch...okay I guess I asked for that. I have finally found a breeder who has the Wilfred Kittle line and I will be getting hatching eggs from them. I am a novice to this and have been reading lots of books on this breed, mostly from the library of cornell and many of them were written in the late 1800's to early 1900's. The one thing that strikes me is that the person who is doing the writing or judging on the standards is looking for what they believe to be the correct coloring, shape, size, etc. While most of the standards spoken about in the books have uniformity, there are deviations among them as well. The pictures and descriptions bear this out rather well. However, that being said, the breeder I am working with has been very helpful with pics of his own birds that allow me to see the differences in my birds and his. Maybe my birds arent what you would consider true heritage, but they have proved enough to me that this is the breed for me. Hopefully the new chicks I hatch out will provide me with an acceptable breeding trio to start my own flock.

Well personally it's your flock and you must love them so that's what counts. They're very pretty. Mine aren't heritage but I would like to have some so I can see for myself the difference in the heritage ones and the production ones. I know one thing mine sure has laid quite a few eggs for me this winter and that's what I wanted them for. Haven't had to buy any eggs this winter. yes!!!

Enjoy your birds!!!

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Thanks Rosemarie. In all fairness, NYReds is a judge of longstanding record on rirs so I thank him for his honesty. I am happy that I have connected with a reputable breeder who is sending me hatching eggs from real heritage rirs. I will keep my inferior ones as they are good company and I just wont breed them or cross any of my current chickens with these. I have no plans to show as of yet but may get into it once I get a decent flock established. This has been a learning experience for me and so I try to follow the advice of the truly knowledgeable. I am determined to be a breeder of quality birds, hence all the research, reading and questions. I cant wait to hatch out my eggs and see the differences!

 

[RoseMarie1]

Thanks Rosemarie. In all fairness, NYReds is a judge of longstanding record on rirs so I thank him for his honesty. I am happy that I have connected with a reputable breeder who is sending me hatching eggs from real heritage rirs. I will keep my inferior ones as they are good company and I just wont breed them or cross any of my current chickens with these. I have no plans to show as of yet but may get into it once I get a decent flock established. This has been a learning experience for me and so I try to follow the advice of the truly knowledgeable. I am determined to be a breeder of quality birds, hence all the research, reading and questions. I cant wait to hatch out my eggs and see the differences!

Oh I completely understand if that's what you want. We just wanted eggs so that's what we're getting. lol I didn't mean to put anyone down that's not how I meant that to sound.

I guess it's just what you're wanting to do and what's your goal etc. Like I said we just got into it for eggs. One day I might get the hertiage ones to but for right now these are supplying our needs.

 

[CrazyChookLady5]

i had 1 RIR, but today I got about 6/7 (not sure how many exactly) pullets, and they look a bit scraggily, is this normal?

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Another successful hatch of reds. These ones are from the Fogle Mohawk line. Started with 15 eggs, 13 made it to lockdown and 12 have hatched so far. They look good. My older red chicks are feathering out nicely and looking really good. Hoping to get them out to the coop soon if it ever warms up!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Another successful hatch of reds. These ones are from the Fogle Mohawk line. Started with 15 eggs, 13 made it to lockdown and 12 have hatched so far. They look good. My older red chicks are feathering out nicely and looking really good. Hoping to get them out to the coop soon if it ever warms up!

You are an awesome hatcher of shipped eggs. You'll love these Reds, they are full of vigor and life. Enjoy, and congratulations.

 

[8isenuff]

Is it common for RIR chicks' feathers to look like this at first? Will they grow out better? This has been the runt of the litter...so I'm wonder if it's a nutrient deficiency of some sort? Born with yolk sac still being absorbed. 5 weeks old here. Comes from an award winning line of RIRs....but I only have this one and haven't had any other RIRs to compare it to..

 

[blackgum]

you have a picker in your birds one that picks the feathers from the others and eats them find the one and seperate then they will grow back

 

[rwilkinson85]

Here is my Olga She and my Barred Rock (Ollie) were given to me by a family friend...not sure how old she is, but she's full of personality!

 

[Nova Scotia]

Hi I was just reading here on BYC and came across your pic of Olga, just wanted to say she is fantastic.