The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[Fred's Hens]

If you want to push your breeding forward, it is normally recommended for poorer type birds, to hatch as many as 100+ as it is all about numbers for the selecting. The 10% rule is enforced, meaning, only 10% of one's hatchlings are of the quality one is looking for.

With super, high quality birds, that high of number isn't likely necessary. I'm not comfortable with less than 25-50 for making selections. This is was tough year up here, what with winter hanging on forever and suddenly turning into summer. No spring. None.

We'll have put nearly 40 on the ground and consider that about the best we could do given the situation. Under the 10% idea, we're looking for those 4 to 6 special birds and be super happy to get them.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I didn't hatch to many for myself this year but the one group of 9 is old enough for me to tell are 6 pullets 3 cockerels. the other 22 are way to young for me to worry about yet. Lot's of fried chicken for you girls to fix. You can send some to me after it is fixed. I love fried chicken. lol
Jimmy

I hate to say it as I like fried chicken, but I can't stand to actually fry the chicken. I could not do it before I had my own chickens, still can't do it. It is the messiness of the batter and the possibility of the grease spattering that gets me.
But BBQ pulled chicken, chicken salad, roasted chicken, chicken soup, chicken and pasta, I have plans. Chicken salad went over well today.


I got my line from the nice warm southern area. It is not warm here in the winter by any means. Last winter was really bad like Fred posted. I got much fewer chicks than I wanted from my two hens. Some of them did not do well with the colder temps even after they were fully feathered out. I'm thinking the cold weather was a shock to their systems, that somehow their genetic makeup did not include how to stay warm and happy in Feb. I'm wondering if after another breeding season if the chicks will be better in the cold or if I should consider getting a trio from a breeder in the North. Maybe I make the long trip to Jim's place or the shorter trip to Red Ridge's farm.

I don't think bad of the line I got. They are very very good looking and wonderful foragers. Their eggs are a great size too with a few double yolks tossed in here and there. But the cold even got to the adult trio I had for breeding.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Sally, you know Bob talked a lot about this, but I think they will adapt, given time. They were a popular breed that was originated in the cold North East. They'll come around, I believe.

That said, we got a few live chicks from Jim last year, he bred them from the Nelson/DinahMoe/NYREDS lines he has. They not only shrugged off the bitter, bitter, way sub-zero weather, they showed not a speck of frost bite either. I was amazed. They never once acted "cold".

I know Bob always encouraged northerners to consider these things, but again. I do believe those birds you got from Ron will adapt, especially the young ones. They'll never have known anything but your south-central Indiana climate.

 

[Irishhenman]

If you want to push your breeding forward, it is normally recommended for poorer type birds, to hatch as many as 100+ as it is all about numbers for the selecting.  The 10% rule is enforced, meaning, only 10% of one's hatchlings are of the quality one is looking for. 

With super, high quality birds, that high of number isn't likely necessary.  I'm not comfortable with less than 25-50 for making selections.  This is was tough year up here, what with winter hanging on forever and suddenly turning into summer.  No spring.  None.

We'll have put nearly 40 on the ground and consider that about the best we could do given the situation. Under the 10% idea, we're looking for those 4 to 6 special birds and be super happy to get them. 

Thanks, if all goes well by the end of the summer I will have around 60-70 chicks on the ground, and keep maybe 6 or 7 pullets back along with one of my current breeding hens. I will change the cockerel (reluctantly) for one from another breeder to breed with next year.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Sally, you know Bob talked a lot about this, but I think they will adapt, given time. They were a popular breed that was originated in the cold North East. They'll come around, I believe.

That said, we got a few live chicks from Jim last year, he bred them from the Nelson/DinahMoe/NYREDS lines he has. They not only shrugged off the bitter, bitter, way sub-zero weather, they showed not a speck of frost bite either. I was amazed. They never once acted "cold".

I know Bob always encouraged northerners to consider these things, but again. I do believe those birds you got from Ron will adapt, especially the young ones. They'll never have known anything but your south-central Indiana climate.

I really like Ron's birds too. They are amazing. I get people wanting them almost every week. I'm not parting with any this year. Even the roos would be hard to talk me out of. Now that DH is well practiced in processing, I have no real need to re-home roosters.

 

[immyjay54]

I really like Ron's birds too. They are amazing. I get people wanting them almost every week. I'm not parting with any this year. Even the roos would be hard to talk me out of. Now that DH is well practiced in processing, I have no real need to re-home roosters.

I got my Reese/Mohawks from Matt. He is in Alabama and I got my chicks 4/10 last year and I kept them in a little smaller pen through the winter so they would be warmer and not worry as much about freezing combs. I have a nice little group now and am so completely satisfied with them. Great layers and awesome lookers JMO, I've raised enough chicks this year that I should have one great bunch to work with next year if all goes well.
I think you will do just fine with them. Keep plugging along. lol PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE. ha,ha.
Jim

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I'm committed

Quote: What was it, Bob said? About 5 years and many would have given up on their RIR birds. Patience is needed, I will make it at least to the 6 year mark. I will. I will. I will. I think by the end of 6 six years I'll be more than addicted to these RIR chickens and should have a yard overly full of them.

 

[immyjay54]

I'm committed
What was it, Bob said? About 5 years and many would have given up on their RIR birds. Patience is needed, I will make it at least to the 6 year mark. I will. I will. I will. I think by the end of 6 six years I'll be more than addicted to these RIR chickens and should have a yard overly full of them.

Oh my goodness. Love it, love it love it. That's just what happens.

Jim

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Jim you had better NOT give up on OUR birds! I'm depending on you and Fred and Matt as mentors and outcrossing sources for keeping mine fresh, strong and pure in the future!!!

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Sally you stick with it and maybe I will add you to that list too!