The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[forgetful]

My RIR are 9 weeks old tomorrow. I have one chick with almost no tail whatsoever, and a rather prominent comb and wattles. I'm pretty sure it is a cockerel. If all of my other chicks have large tails and little comb/wattle development, is it possible I have one cockerel and five pullets? I think I may remember something about tail feathers in the heritage lines in this breed, but I'd love for someone with experience to better inform me. I'll edit this post in a few minutes to include some (bad) photos I took of them today.

Edit:

^ You can see the amount of tail growth in these


^ compared to the bird in the back. It only has wisps. The same bird is in the second photo. I added more photos of all six below. I'd love some pointers if anyone notices anything

 

[cmom]

What line are your Heritage from?

 

[forgetful]

What line are your Heritage from?

They are Reese/Mohawk

 

[cmom]

Quote:

Just curious they looked light in color in the pictures. I have Reese birds too. I love them. They start laying quite a bit later than most other breeds. Here are some of my chicks from this springs hatch. I put some scratch on the ground so I could get a picture because when ever I go into their pen they practically trip me.

 

[forgetful]

Just curious they looked light in color in the pictures. I have Reese birds too. I love them. They start laying quite a bit later than most other breeds. Here are some of my chicks from this springs hatch. I put some scratch on the ground so I could get a picture because when ever I go into their pen they practically trip me.

I agree- in some photos they look light. I think the third photo is the best representation of their color in person. They do have the bits of light color on the ends of some of their feathers, and lighter down. They are still in their first feathers. Do you think they will molt darker, or at least more even? This is my first time with them. I absolutely love them. They are such healthy, calm birds. I had to sit and wait for mine to walk away from me to take the pictures. I heard they start laying around a year? Will mine develop the vibrant yellow legs like yours, or is that a feed/breeding issue? They have a bit of the horn coloring, which I read is good.

 

[ronott1]

I agree- in some photos they look light. I think the third photo is the best representation of their color in person. They do have the bits of light color on the ends of some of their feathers, and lighter down. They are still in their first feathers. Do you think they will molt darker, or at least more even? This is my first time with them. I absolutely love them. They are such healthy, calm birds. I had to sit and wait for mine to walk away from me to take the pictures. I heard they start laying around a year? Will mine develop the vibrant yellow legs like yours, or is that a feed/breeding issue? They have a bit of the horn coloring, which I read is good.

Marigold extract and or Corn will make the legs a richer yellow.

The Yellow colored legs fade in laying hens so it will be brightest for them at the beginning of laying eggs.

 

[forgetful]

Marigold extract and or Corn will make the legs a richer yellow.

The Yellow colored legs fade in laying hens so it will be brightest for them at the beginning of laying eggs.

They get corn in their feed. Should I add more, or try the marigold extract?

 

[Rancher3535]

How do you use Marigold extract and where do you get it? Is it liquid or powder and put on the feed or ?

 

[ronott1]

They get corn in their feed. Should I add more, or try the marigold extract?

Marigold extract is an ingredient in some feed. Check to see if yours has it. I would think that the show feed brands will have it.

How do you use Marigold extract and where do you get it? Is it liquid or powder and put on the feed or ?

It is given at a rate of 200mg\KG of feed. It is metric values but you should be able to convert to pounds and ounces.

Quote:

 

[RedRidge]

I agree- in some photos they look light. I think the third photo is the best representation of their color in person. They do have the bits of light color on the ends of some of their feathers, and lighter down. They are still in their first feathers. Do you think they will molt darker, or at least more even? This is my first time with them. I absolutely love them. They are such healthy, calm birds. I had to sit and wait for mine to walk away from me to take the pictures. I heard they start laying around a year? Will mine develop the vibrant yellow legs like yours, or is that a feed/breeding issue? They have a bit of the horn coloring, which I read is good.

Marigold extract and or Corn will make the legs a richer yellow.

The Yellow colored legs fade in laying hens so it will be brightest for them at the beginning of laying eggs.

My RIR have excellent leg color but my RB do not. So I fed a high quality feed with marigold for about 8 months to see if there was a difference. I figured since I had birds of all ages over that period of time it would be a good trial period for a couple of groups.
I no longer feed that feed. It was the FRM gold that I know so many people on here like.
I'm sure it's a good feed but it had other ingredients I didn't want and my birds look just as good on my own ration without marigold. And the RB who need more yellow showed no improvement in leg color over that 8 months in any age group.
So... My conclusion... leg color is genetic. Just my opinion.