The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

And so it begins. I had a feeling my eggs would follow suit of the last two batches, and hatch a day early. This evening is day 19, and I have a pip!!!

While it's at the wrong end, I'm not too concerned at this time. I've hatched several that pipped in the same spot, and they've all been healthy and grown into healthy, happyy adults. It can take up to 24 hours before zipping begins, so I think I'm still on track for a Tuesday hatch. Come on chickies!!!

 

[waddles99]

From the initial appearance she seems to have good type, good color, good fluff, good tail angle, and nice yellow legs. The tail isn't as full as I'd like, but that could be caused from roosting with her tail against a wall? One thing that caught my eye is the exposed primary feather. If it's just not folded properly, it's not a problem. If she has split wing, then it does become a problem. I'd ask the seller about that. Other than those two items, I can't see anything wrong with her. I can't tell if she has black ticking in the bottom hackle feathers, but you definitely want to avoid lacing. As always, it's hard to evaluate a bird from pictures, and especially a single picture. If you can evaluate the bird in person without being bound to purchase it, that would be the best thing to do. Only when you have the bird in hand can you check under-color, quill color, amount of smut, length of keel, etc. If they are bringing pullets of this type, they should be worth taking the time to look at. Just my 2c...

I agree, she looks fine except for the things mentioned. It is hard to tell from a picture than from handling the bird.

Yes, i looked at pics of the other stock and they have fuller tails. These pullets i am looking to buy are offspring from Toni Candea's birds.

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

Yes, i looked at pics of the other stock and they have fuller tails. These pullets i am looking to buy are offspring from Toni Candea's birds.

There should be some good birds in the mix. I can't recall off the top of my head where Toni's birds originated, but Toni has good connections through RIRCA. Just saying...

 

[cmom]

Quote:
The thing I would be most concerned about is not Toni Candea's birds but who you are getting them from. Is that person keeping them pure or introducing "new blood" and if they are is the new blood from the same line? Just curious.

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

The thing I would be most concerned about is not Toni Candea's birds but who you are getting them from. Is that person keeping them pure or introducing "new blood" and if they are is the new blood from the same line? Just curious.

That's a good point, cmom. If both parents are Toni's birds, there shouldn't be a problem. It's definitely a question worth asking...

By the way, did you see my post about the pip? Looks like they may get cranked up by tomorrow!

 

[waddles99]

The thing I would be most concerned about is not Toni Candea's birds but who you are getting them from. Is that person keeping them pure or introducing "new blood" and if they are is the new blood from the same line? Just curious.

She got her start from Toni, her roo and all her hens are from her. I am lucky to be about an hours drive from Toni, and she shows at a couple shows i do.

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

She got her start from Toni, her roo and all her hens are from her. I am lucky to be about an hours drive from Toni, and she shows at a couple shows i do.

Then I can't see any reason not to proceed. Be sure to post some pics when you get them (we all know you will)!!!

 

[BlackwoodHollow]

Quote:

You got a start. There are lots and lots of culls in there. I hope you like to eat chicken. I see a couple of pullets that came from a very good pen. Keep those. I agree with your assessment of the culls. These are laying Reds and most are not up to type. They're a work in progress and I sincerely hope you'll help work toward the standard with them.

You might consider this. Hatch from only the very best two females. I'd put the rest of the females in the layer barn. I'd eat those males, quite honestly, but if you wish to give the best of them a try, that's fine. But again, they're a work in progress and you'll need to really sharpen your hatchet.

Ken has some superb birds this year, really upping his quality. Might want to go back and get a few from his "A" pen, not his utility pen. I know for a certainty that you'd not be disappointed in doing so.

Yeah. . . that's okay. I think I'll just start over. Maybe keep the top birds to breed with our Rhodebars. They are from GFF but could really use some improvement, darker color if nothing else. Shame, too. I never got any indication that these were from Ken's utility pen. I was striving for quality.
Guess I'll put most of them up on CL as regular reds. Not ready to sharpen a hatchet, just yet --need to stop buying chickens so I can buy a freezer, I guess.

Agreed. While blue band is the best looking of the three, he'd be better served with noodles.

I've just wanted reds for so long. I never expected perfection, but I expected. . . more than chicken dinner.

Another thing to consider, don't be disappointed if you don't get ideal birds at first. As the others have said, selective breeding will bring results but not all of the chicks even out of the selected breeders will cut the mustard. I started with my very original pure Reds around 6 to 7 years ago. I was disappointed in the beginning as they were not where I thought they should be but I kept picking out my best and breeding them and I did eventually get some very nice birds. Remember that even though you are breeding your very best not all chicks may measure up to your expectation and there will always be culls. I do sell most of my culls to people that want layers and nice yard ornaments. Even my culls have the nice dark color that people like. Good luck and have fun...

Thanks, cmom. I understand. That's what we'll be doing.

In other words, you're saying the reds I got from you won't produce perfect chicks every time???

x2

I hope so, you should get some very nice chicks. The eggs came from my top breeders from my "A" coops and pens.

You can breed #5 and #1 together. They are separate families. They are ALL related to Matt's birds.

Looks like they may get cranked up by tomorrow!

Good luck! I'd be pasted to the viewing window.

 

[BlackwoodHollow]

Hey, @sgribble. I see you lurking.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
We have been having a water crises. Our well pump died Saturday afternoon. We have been without water. Hubby did figure out about getting water to the coops. I cleaned out a garbage can. We had used it years ago to haul water in and to use it to water with so the fitting was saved for it so we hooked it up to a spigot at the greenhouse and the water in the can is higher than the coops so the water is being gravity fed and it's enough to keep water in the waterers at the coops. We will get the pump replaced either tomorrow or the next day. We are adding a water pressure regulator so the pump won't cycle on and off but will maintain a certain pressure. Also possibly replacing some of the pipe. Not sure of the condition of it. It is 40 years old. We replaced and re-plumbed the tank some months ago.