The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[BGMatt]

Just don't forget when criticizing the choices of other backyard chicken farmers; it can be very difficult for them to find breeders of the heritage chicken breeds they desire, especially ones who are willing to sell to them.  It is particularly difficult if they don't wish to become breeders themselves, or if they only want to breed for their own use.

A look at this very thread disproves that. If you are dedicated to having a certain breed it is a simple matter of effort and time to find a quality breeder. A sense of entitlement won't get folks very far I agree on that point though.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

My hens are from Ron's line. I saw them sitting in their nesting boxes today. And of all things the lead rooster was brave enough to attempt mating while I was out in the run. Eggs must be on their way. The combs are red red but have been for a couple of weeks. I'm sure I would have seen eggs sooner if we had not gotten these few cold swings the past month or so.

 

[ronott1]

My hens are from Ron's line. I saw them sitting in their nesting boxes today. And of all things the lead rooster was brave enough to attempt mating while I was out in the run. Eggs must be on their way. The combs are red red but have been for a couple of weeks. I'm sure I would have seen eggs sooner if we had not gotten these few cold swings the past month or so.

How old are they?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
They were born at the end of March. I don't have an exact date but they have to be close to 32 or 33 weeks old.

 

[ronott1]

They were born at the end of March. I don't have an exact date but they have to be close to 32 or 33 weeks old.

Thanks!

I need to see how old mine are.

 

[Fentress]

Just don't forget when criticizing the choices of other backyard chicken farmers; it can be very difficult for them to find breeders of the heritage chicken breeds they desire, especially ones who are willing to sell to them. It is particularly difficult if they don't wish to become breeders themselves, or if they only want to breed for their own use.

I've been concerned about this as well. My current RIR are from Sand Hill Preservation Center and they are not the quality bird that you see here on this thread, but still better than the hatchery birds that I have had at least in terms of meat, they have not started to lay yet. I may keep them, I may not. I do not know how good of a breeder I will become, I have never done it. I hope the established breeders see the value of people like me who want to have standard bred poultry on their property, instead of stock from the local Tractor Supply, even if we may not be able to maintain the exact same standard that they can. That said, if someone is not interested in making a good effort to breed the stock they receive, I would understand why a breeder would not want to sell to them. The chicken world is getting bigger and there are a variety of people out there who are going to recognize the value of standard bred poultry. I'm not disagreeing with Matt's previous post, everyone on this thread seems to take pride in helping people get started - just expressing a concern is all.

 

[BGMatt]

I've been concerned about this as well. My current RIR are from Sand Hill Preservation Center and they are not the quality bird that you see here on this thread, but still better than the hatchery birds that I have had at least in terms of meat, they have not started to lay yet. I may keep them, I may not. I do not know how good of a breeder I will become, I have never done it. I hope the established breeders see the value of people like me who want to have standard bred poultry on their property, instead of stock from the local Tractor Supply, even if we may not be able to maintain the exact same standard that they can. That said, if someone is not interested in making a good effort to breed the stock they receive, I would understand why a breeder would not want to sell to them. The chicken world is getting bigger and there are a variety of people out there who are going to recognize the value of standard bred poultry. I'm not disagreeing with Matt's previous post, everyone on this thread seems to take pride in helping people get started - just expressing a concern is all.

That is part of being a good breeder is helping new comers get started and promote your breed. You Red guys are phenomenal about this. Seriously in all my years in poultry some of the most passionate and dedicated to their breed breeders I've run into are in this thread right here. It's enough to make a non-Red owner feel a bit guilty. LOL So it takes passion on both sides, someone who is dedicated enough to seek out a good breeder of their breed, and a dedicated loyal breeder to help that person get started.

My big concern is people feeling entitled to stock right now, right away best in the world that they can take to any show in the country and win...old timers will tell you that raising poultry isn't a "game" for the impatient. People aren't willing to wait if there's a list, or if a breeder doesn't hatch year round, or is sold out. I actually had this happen to me this year, first year back after a brief hiatus, I'm not going to have a lot of extras, but I get cussed out because I "didn't want to sell to them". This is a breed thread so it may not be as much of an issue for folks in here, but there's also a lot of folks that collect and collect, and collect tons of different breeds and varieties. That doesn't show any dedication to a breed either. Complete opposite in fact, so I know some guys will bump folks down a priority list when that's going on too. If someone comes up to you and wants Rhode Island Reds, but talking to them you find out they also have 10 other breeds, and then another guy comes up and has nothing, but tells you they've really been looking for real Rhode Islands, like their grandpa and grandma used to have on the farm...it's a no brainer to sell to that second person if you've only got enough birds to sell to one.

 

[immyjay54]

Took a few shots of the birds today. Now remember it is cold here and some of the shots they have their feathers fluffed up a little. lol
They first birds are my 9 month Underwood's.








The next birds are my Reese from Matt. They are right at 7 months.

 

[BGMatt]

Took a few shots of the birds today. Now remember it is cold here and some of the shots they have their feathers fluffed up a little. lol
They first birds are my 9 month Underwood's.








The next birds are my Reese from Matt. They are right at 7 months.

All of those are looking great, I can't get over the depth on those Underwood birds though. Impressive and built like a brick house...

 

[bluebirdnanny]

That is part of being a good breeder is helping new comers get started and promote your breed.  You Red guys are phenomenal about this.  Seriously in all my years in poultry some of the most passionate and dedicated to their breed breeders I've run into are in this thread right here.  It's enough to make a non-Red owner feel a bit guilty. LOL So it takes passion on both sides, someone who is dedicated enough to seek out a good breeder of their breed, and a dedicated loyal breeder to help that person get started.

My big concern is people feeling entitled to stock right now, right away best in the world that they can take to any show in the country and win...old timers will tell you that raising poultry isn't a "game" for the impatient.  People aren't willing to wait if there's a list, or if a breeder doesn't hatch year round, or is sold out.  I actually had this happen to me this year, first year back after a brief hiatus, I'm not going to have a lot of extras, but I get cussed out because I "didn't want to sell to them".  This is a breed thread so it may not be as much of an issue for folks in here, but there's also a lot of folks that collect and collect, and collect tons of different breeds and varieties.   That doesn't show any dedication to a breed either.  Complete opposite in fact, so I know some guys will bump folks down a priority list when that's going on too.  If someone comes up to you and wants Rhode Island Reds, but talking to them you find out they also have 10 other breeds, and then another guy comes up and has nothing, but tells you they've really been looking for real Rhode Islands, like their grandpa and grandma used to have on the farm...it's a no brainer to sell to that second person if you've only got enough birds to sell to one.

I guess I would be that second person. I wanted the "same birds my great great grandma had" but got something I didn't even know existed! And had to research to find out WHAT they were. Just knew they weren't what she had. Now am anxiously waiting to see if Fred gets some for me in June!!!! I am a naturalist anyway and want the real thing. Yes I want eggs but the old breeds aren't already past frying meat at cull time. Heritage hold the meat qualities to the old cooking age standards. Not the already too tough for anything but stew by laying age. I only wanted the real Rhode Islands and nothing else. Dealing with a mixed few until I get my "real chickens". And will breed them for myself to start. Unacceptable to breed will become the laying stock then food.