The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[Aamanda]

Just so you know as I'm sure you already do having read the posts here ~ But having two lines means separate breeding areas as it is safest, easiest, and best for most if not all, to keep the lines pure.

Gottcha. Well noted. I have 130 acres so that shouldn't be a problem. I can let them take turns out on full free range. Hows that sound?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
Chicken math will hit and there will be a coop for every 10 acres In the end I think RedRidge has the most recent post of breeding pens. For most of the breeders on here there is season or time for every thing including breeding. Most that I have read about set eggs in the winter to early spring with the last of the chicks arriving by May. So as long as the pens match the weather conditions of your breeding season, then you should be fine with a community coup and a set of breeding pens. I know Bob posted on here about setting eggs around Thanksgiving to help those showing in the 4H fairs.

 

[immyjay54]

Hey,
You folks that got Underwood chicks this summer. I just got a call from a guy in Maine. He is wanting a trio of Underwood's. Would like to know if any of you that have them would be willing to sell off a trio and if possible would there be a chance that you or someone close to you could take them to the Ohio show this coming weekend and he would get them there. If any of you have these and can help with this either PM or email me and I will give you his name and phone number and you can get in touch with him and make the plans.
Please let me know asap if you are interested in doing this.
Jim

 

[Aamanda]

Chicken math will hit and there will be a coop for every 10 acres In the end I think RedRidge has the most recent post of breeding pens. For most of the breeders on here there is season or time for every thing including breeding. Most that I have read about set eggs in the winter to early spring with the last of the chicks arriving by May. So as long as the pens match the weather conditions of your breeding season, then you should be fine with a community coup and a set of breeding pens. I know Bob posted on here about setting eggs around Thanksgiving to help those showing in the 4H fairs.

Thank you!!

 

[flowerchild59]

I am trying to choose my 7 month old Gary Underwood cockerels that I will keep for the next year. I plan to winter over two from the 5 that I have. They all have good blocky bodies, it is the comb that is throwing me. I have read the standard for the RC RIR and really there is just a sentence or two devoted to the rosecomb. I purchased the APA version when I joined the APA. Is there a better, more detailed version with the standards.
Here is a couple of pics of combs.
PIC 1--------are the points on the comb too prominent???



PIC 2------------------



PIC 3------------------------



PIC 4--------- I sort of like this one

PIC 5---------I don't think he has a deep of a chest as a couple of the others.

 

[flowerchild59]

I have posted a few pics of my 7 month old RC RIR's that I purchased as chicks from Gary Underwood in late april. The pullets are all pretty similar, I will be choosing the pullets for overwintering for next years breeding season. I have a couple of those that are shorter in body length and I was going to relegate them to the mixed flock egg layers pen. Any other pointers for pullets and choosing wisely???

Here are a few pics. Some of the pullets look like their combs are very flat. Is there such a thing as too flat of a comb??

PIC 1--------- Pullet on left has tiny points and I assume she will be culled from breeding. I have other pullets to choose from (actually got about 15 out of 22 purchased).



PIC 2-----------


PIC 3-------



PIC 4-----------I like the body on this one, but I am just learning day by day.

 

[toodlesmom]

What are the relative merits and disadvantages of the various lines. including dispositions?

 

[Fred's Hens]

What are the relative merits and disadvantages of the various lines. including dispositions?

I'd suggest a conversation with Jim Rankin. On his website, he does some comparing/contrasting. Since he's raised out more lines and has more lines than anyone I know, he'd be a good person to contact, via pm and have a long chat.

immyjay54 here on BYC.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

What are the relative merits and disadvantages of the various lines. including dispositions?

Ron's line roosters act like timid puppies, my king rooster just started crowing loudly this week at 7 months of age. Ron is clear and concise and will work with you to help you get chicks or eggs. That said I have not worked with the other breeders I'm sure they are great too.

 

[immyjay54]

I have posted a few pics of my 7 month old RC RIR's that I purchased as chicks from Gary Underwood in late april. The pullets are all pretty similar, I will be choosing the pullets for overwintering for next years breeding season. I have a couple of those that are shorter in body length and I was going to relegate them to the mixed flock egg layers pen. Any other pointers for pullets and choosing wisely???

Here are a few pics. Some of the pullets look like their combs are very flat. Is there such a thing as too flat of a comb?? Being that there is SC and RC genes in most of these birds, the combs will be a little different. Keep them separate and breed RC to RC and SC to SC and you can correct this and get nicer combs in a few breedings. Have fun with what you are doing. The RC's on these red pullets are not as high as the Wyandottes etc.

PIC 1--------- Pullet on left has tiny points and I assume she will be culled from breeding. I have other pullets to choose from (actually got about 15 out of 22 purchased).
First off, what you have is what most are going to get with their chicks from Gary. If you haven't talked with Gary about his breeding program you may not know that he bring in new blood by crossing a RC into his SC and SC into his RC. This is not hearsay, I have it in an email from him. This was his year to do the cross. Your girl on the left is a SC. I bought SC chicks from him this past spring and I got 1 RC pullet with the SC chicks. No problem,



PIC 2-----------


PIC 3-------



PIC 4-----------I like the body on this one, but I am just learning day by day. This pullet does appear to have a very nice body. Nice length and a very pronounced keel. The biggest thing that I noticed with some of these girls is the lacing in the tails. If you have enough nice ones that have the solid black feathers (the last row) I would use them as my breeders. Try to stay away from breeding the ones with lacing in the tails if you can.