The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[desertmarcy]

I looked through my Reese cockerels from Matt and pulled a few more to butcher this morning. They all have such good type, it is hard to figure out which should go, but they are squabbling. I pulled 4 to do in this morning's butcher run, along with some other birds, but I put one back because he was one of Matt's 1/2 and 1/2s---oops! I only have 4 of those cockerels, and I wanted to keep the last 4 so I can compare amongst those by themselves---but I could only find 3 when I went through and banded the birds a few weeks ago. Hmmmm....well the toe punch was right there, when I picked him up to put him in the killing cone, so must have missed it before! Glad I saw it before the knife did it's work. These were all about 7 months old and very consistent in processed weights---all 3 weighed 4 lb 3 oz including neck, heart, and gizzard (I took the livers out to make liverwurst). Kind of small for 7 month olds in a dual purpose breed, do you think? Their chests haven't really filled in.

 

[immyjay54]

Thanks Jim,It was an exciting day for me.That was my first Grand Champion of Show.It usually goes to a bantam.So yes, it was a great day.

I'm very happy for you my friend. Good job.

 

[immyjay54]

I hope my birds that are off springs of birds I got from Matt look as beautiful as your...

Can't help but love these birds. I am so thankful to have gotten them from Matt One thing that I honestly think is that if anyone thinks they will judge them for maturity before 7 or 8 months sure has another thought coming. I will be keeping all of my boys until next year. i have only one right now that I know is not going to make the cut. The others are all in the running. lol They can change an awful lot in just a few weeks. .

 

[cmom]

Quote:
One that is a runt from a hatch just started to lay.I got my first egg. The others look like they should start laying soon. The one that just started to lay really surprised me because she really doesn't have a developed comb and wattles like the others who look like they should be closer to laying but she is squatting. I kept 3 boys.

 

[Matt1616]

Those are my birds that were at the VPBA show.The single comb with the ribbon on his coop was BV,BB,Champion American,Champion Large Fowl and Grand Champion of Show.I had a rose comb cockerel that was BV,RB.Also another single comb cockerel  that was RV and rose comb pullet RV.

Congrats Bobby...huge win. Great to see you and Reds winning big.

Matt

 

[NestingHillsSC]

We've hit the single digits already. I've thought about the water line thing also heating lamps over fountains but with 8 different pens set up for all these different lines etc it just seemed a little much. lol The heat of summer seems harder on the birds but the cold of winter is harder on me. ha,ha.
Jim

I agree. My birds like it better during the winter. Except I have to go around every morning and break the ice up in the waters. Pain in the butt.

 

[Fentress]

These are the birds I got from Sand Hill Preservation Center. They were advertised as not being production reds but the true RIR. As compared to the quality of birds you normally see on this thread, they don't compare, but I am interested in any feedback you might have. They are 27 weeks old and I only had 5 to chose from.

#1 Best overall in my opinion;




#2 - Horrible color, bad back actually has a bit of ridge running down the middle, but he can show the best keel and silhouette, at times.





#3 Similar to #1, but walks upright all of the time (very annoying to me), has a decent back like #1.

 

[immyjay54]

These are the birds I got from Sand Hill Preservation Center. They were advertised as not being production reds but the true RIR. As compared to the quality of birds you normally see on this thread, they don't compare, but I am interested in any feedback you might have. They are 27 weeks old and I only had 5 to chose from.

#1 Best overall in my opinion;




#2 - Horrible color, bad back actually has a bit of ridge running down the middle, but he can show the best keel and silhouette, at times.





#3 Similar to #1, but walks upright all of the time (very annoying to me), has a decent back like #1.

All I will say to Sand Hill is that they don't know what the real RIR's are. Color is not even on any of these. I like the width of the back on #1 and he seems to have the best color but not like what you see on most on here. #3 I really don't like him at all. The #2 bird from the side looks very nice for a male chicken but not for a RIR. He has a beautiful color for what ever he is. Sort of looks like an odd colored New Hampshire. If I was just wanting chickens, 1 and 2 would be fine but not if you are wanting the real RIR's. I'm sure not trying to be smart, just trying to help with my opinion.
Jim

 

[jaman4]

Thanks Matt,I hope things are going well for you this holiday season.

 

[Fentress]

Thanks for your reply Jim. It is because of these birds that I ventured into the heritage threads of this forum, so it is not a total loss. Their carcass quality is better than the hatchery birds and if they lay well and don't attack my wife or me or my mother when she visits, I may consider keeping them. Eventually, I will probably order some better birds. You can't lurk here as long as I have and not have it effect you. Thanks again.

Mark