The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[4stakes]

We have 4 reds that are from Underwood breeding. We are not sure if these are hens or roosters. They are 16 weeks old. If you need better pictures I will get more tomorrow.

Thanks, Kevin

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Sadly, no. It'll be my luck that both of the chicks will be males...   

Wow... a brisky 97? Time to break out the winter parkas!!!   

You must have a keen eye if you can tell males from females in newly hatched chicks. I'm a tad over 4 weeks with my chicks, and just now beginning to distinguish sexes. I wish you luck with getting more females. In a male dominated breed, it'll be quite a feat. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe I have 4 pullets and 7 cockerels. Some of the shes may turn out to be hes, but it'll take another week or two to be certain. I need to get your secret for sexing day olds...   

No they are now three weeks!! You will notice I said 'appear' An educated (perhaps) guess based on thickness of legs and standing taller than others plus being slower than the other five to begin tail feathering. A few other subtle indicators but really you don't know for sure until egg laying commences!!! If my uploading cable hadn't stopped working I'd post photos for you.

But if the cockerels turn out decent after I choose one, Fred gets to pick one and our partners then I either will sell or eat the others.

 

[Fred's Hens]

We have 4 reds that are from Underwood breeding. We are not sure if these are hens or roosters. They are 16 weeks old. If you need better pictures I will get more tomorrow.

Thanks, Kevin

Kevin, NICE birds!!!

Even the females won't be "hens" until they're over a year old. Young females are properly called pullets. Young males are cockerels.


When these birds feather in their last juvenile moult, the males will sprout longish green tails feathers. Their necks will often get all "waxy" looking as their grow in their adult, male hackles.

The pullets will put out their final juvenile tail feathers and they'll be more black looking than green. The pullet's tail feathers will also be round ed and much shorter, forming a nice rear "tent" as seen from the rear.

If you have not sexed them by that final juvenile feather moult, it will be obvious at that point.

 

[Fred's Hens]

To those Lurkers who follow along on this thread.


Perhaps you would also like to get a start with Rhode Islands, purebred, bred to the Standard birds. Later on, in a few months, a lot of the very chicks posted by folks here on this thread will be become avaiable. Just so you know. Good breeders and those whose goal it is to perserve the heritage of these magnificent birds, who place the good of the breed as their primary goal, not any quick buck scheme to just peddle scrubs passed off as Reds, these folks will have good birds availabe for you to pick up at their farms. I know I will.

These will not be defective or messed up birds. Those will never be sold or pawned off on people, but will have been killed and eaten. These will be excess birds of decent quality that simply don't meet the needs of the breeder going forward next year. So, if you're a lurker and wished you'd gotten some chicks this spring, well hang on.

Let us feed them, raise them and judge them for you. We do all the work and invest all the time, money, feed, and work into them and yet, we'll offer these excess birds when the time comes. It is NOT too early to get on a list to get your birds this fall or winter. Come late winter next year? You too will be making breeding match ups and getting excited about working with the Reds.


Prayers and honor for all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the country. We salute their blessed memory and honor them all today.

 

[4stakes]

Yes, I understand I called the young chickens wrong. Here are some more pictures. I was asking if anyone could tell if we had pullets or cockerels? Our county fair is the first week of July, and need to get entry forms sent by middle of June. Thanks again, Kevin

 

[waddles99]

To those Lurkers who follow along on this thread.


Perhaps you would also like to get a start with Rhode Islands, purebred, bred to the Standard birds. Later on, in a few months, a lot of the very chicks posted by folks here on this thread will be become avaiable. Just so you know. Good breeders and those whose goal it is to perserve the heritage of these magnificent birds, who place the good of the breed as their primary goal, not any quick buck scheme to just peddle scrubs passed off as Reds, these folks will have good birds availabe for you to pick up at their farms. I know I will.

These will not be defective or messed up birds. Those will never be sold or pawned off on people, but will have been killed and eaten. These will be excess birds of decent quality that simply don't meet the needs of the breeder going forward next year. So, if you're a lurker and wished you'd gotten some chicks this spring, well hang on.

Let us feed them, raise them and judge them for you. We do all the work and invest all the time, money, feed, and work into them and yet, we'll offer these excess birds when the time comes. It is NOT too early to get on a list to get your birds this fall or winter. Come late winter next year? You too will be making breeding match ups and getting excited about working with the Reds.


Prayers and honor for all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the country. We salute their blessed memory and honor them all today.

Too bad most of you guys are way too far for me to pick up birds. I would love to get a pullet or two from a reputable breeder.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Kevin, you'd be VERY safe entering "K"'s, ie, cockerels on your entry forms.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Nice Rose Combs. To me they appear to be cockerels but it's hard to say for sure from the pictures.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Yes, I understand I called the young chickens wrong. Here are some more pictures. I was asking if anyone could tell if we had pullets or cockerels? Our county fair is the first week of July, and need to get entry forms sent by middle of June. Thanks again, Kevin

I am sure they are cockerels judging by leg thickness, darker colors on the back and top of wings, and large combs.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I raise both Rose Combs and Single Combs.