The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[RFR of CA]

ok I have hatched over a hundred RIR chicks from my group and this is the first one of these!! -

Anyone ever see this color variation? Can't wait to see how it grows out.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, pretty much similar. He didn't turn out too bad.

 

[Fred's Hens]

In my limited experience...
I document growth rate about the age yours are now by putting numbered bands on with the largest size birds being the lowest number. That way a few months from now I will easily be able to eye ball who was what size relative to everyone else at teenage growth rate. The numbers represent size only, not structure... Although those with obvious faults are not included.

Then? I close my eyes. ;-)
Not really but I cull from the bottom up (meaning obvious worst) and don't make decisions about the top ones until they are older.

I wait until the pullets are about 6 months old to make final culls. And with cockerels it is at least 8 or 9 months old as they will change soooooo much between 6 and 9 months.

In my opinion your cockerels are way too young to do anything but watch and document. And by documenting i mean make notes... Right things down... Don't rely in memory. I keep notes on a whiteboard next to the coops and snap a picture of it with my phone about once a week to make sure I don't lose any notes. ;-)

I agree. There is always a shocker or two when it comes to K's. They can and will fool you sometimes.

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Juveniles
Old enough to guess a Pullet

Suspected Cockerel #1

Suspect #2

Suspect #3

And their first trip out the door without the adult Cock coming to check them out:. First attempt he sent them back but this time he was by house and couldn't see them.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You've done a great job raising those Kittle birds, Nanny.

 

[bluebirdnanny]

And here is the second hatching. Aussie Mutts, WR Mutts and two RIR. I almost want to say both RIR might be pullets. That would be wonderful.

Third batch is still in incubator that goes in lock down tomorrow. My first hatch all on my own with the fixed incubator. And six I took hot when my Nelson left the nest are waiting to go in. That will be my last for the summer. Then I will be ready to start my breeding program in the spring.

I will be relying on help of which to cull and which to throw in with layers so I can weed out the non RIR from my flock. Eventually I want only the Nelson or Kittle line. Prefer more Nelsons and the Kittle line for the eggs.

If these two F1 are pullets then I will have three possibles to add to the only Nelson parent I have.

 

[bluebirdnanny]

You've done a great job raising those Kittle birds, Nanny.  

Thanks Fred. Got to move their pen again. Definitely can tell she is a Kittle.... look at that dog gone tail angle! She was holding it down before and maybe just she was scared when I was taking photos and she threw it erect. They all stretched up their necks so you can't see the keel. They leave a lot shape wise to be desired but they are only a beginning.

Incubator goes on lock down tomorrow (the every egg I got group) then six I took hot out from under the Nelson older pullet are waiting to go right into it. I know for sure they are hers! Watched her lay those six and I kept all the other pullets away from that box so nothing disturbed her. LOL Though I did let the Cockerel set on the edge and talk with her.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Thanks Fred. Got to move their pen again. Definitely can tell she is a Kittle.... look at that dog gone tail angle! She was holding it down before and maybe just she was scared when I was taking photos and she threw it erect. They all stretched up their necks so you can't see the keel. They leave a lot shape wise to be desired but they are only a beginning.

Incubator goes on lock down tomorrow (the every egg I got group) then six I took hot out from under the Nelson older pullet are waiting to go right into it. I know for sure they are hers! Watched her lay those six and I kept all the other pullets away from that box so nothing disturbed her. LOL Though I did let the Cockerel set on the edge and talk with her.

I've been spending some time evaluating the Kittle birds this week. Out of the 12 or 13 I have, I'd say one is really sharp and one is OK. The rest will be good egg layers or good with noodles. I've never been afraid of culling hard on these birds. The improvement is good, and will be better next year, if, if we push for improvement.

I see a pullet in that one photo that is VERY handsome. Keep your eye on her. The others? They'll lay eggs. LOL



The one on the far right. Look at the horn down her legs. She's probably the one to keep an eye on.

 

[Fred's Hens]

This is my best Kittle pullet so far. She's making the final selection group. She kinda snuck into this photo. But that's her nature. She's very human friendly and curious.



I've already given away quite a few to friends who just want some good laying red birds.

 

[cmom]

ok I have hatched over a hundred RIR chicks from my group and this is the first one of these!! -

Anyone ever see this color variation? Can't wait to see how it grows out.

You will just have to wait and see when its feathers start to come in what it will look like. The down color doesn't always show what the chick will be like until it actually starts getting its feathers. Good luck and have fun...