The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[cmom]

My birds were around 9 months old before they started laying. They are the same line as Matt's.

 

[desertmarcy]

My birds were around 9 months old before they started laying. They are the same line as Matt's.

I think these birds are a bit sensitive to shorter day lengths, so if they come into maturity when the days are getting short, they may not lay until spring which would give you an artificial impression that they take a long time to come into lay. Most of mine were hatched in March this year, so they will be 8 months old in November, days are short. I'm going to put them on lights this fall. Will be interesting to see when they start laying.

 

[Fred's Hens]

FWIW

Our experience with the Kittle strains is about 26 weeks.
With the Fogle strain around 28 weeks
With the Nelson birds around 26-28 weeks.

That said, far too many variables, as stated above. Time of year when hatched, coming into point of lay daylight hours, etc.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I have had this same line for a few years. They have been good layers except when they are molting, but I live in the south (North Central Florida). We are having our fall show on Saturday October 25th.

Central Florida Poultry Breeders Association Show, Inverness, FL.
Next show will be October 25th, 2014
9:00 AM TO 4:00 PM
Citrus County Fairgrounds
3600 South Florida Ave.
Inverness, Florida
(U.S. Highway 41 South - 1.5 miles south of the intersection of U.S. highways 44 & 41)
Show Catalog ---> TBA when available
Entry Form ---> TBA when available

 

[smarsh]

mine are from Fred. And I remember some comment from him that they wouldn't start laying this early. I am just going off the way she looks; pretty red faced and she is standing for the rooster.

 

[Fred's Hens]

mine are from Fred. And I remember some comment from him that they wouldn't start laying this early. I am just going off the way she looks; pretty red faced and she is standing for the rooster.

There are often certain individuals who mature far ahead of their hatch mates. Often, these individuals do not reflect the tempo of the strain generally.

I have eight pullets from those same pens and none of the pullets look "ready" at all, except one. She too has a red comb and wattles and appears to approaching lay. However, her type isn't exemplary and so I'm not overly impressed. If she becomes a good layer, she can earn her keep in the laying flock. Otherwise, she'll be a cull.

 

[smarsh]

But that pullet is one of the real "footballs" in the bunch, nice color, nice shape. You would cull due to early maturation?
Would you do the same on a rooster? Does size at 20 weeks play a part in rooster evaluation?
I am surprised to know that early maturing is frowned upon. Please understand, as am sure you do, that I am a novice, but I am interested in understanding this. I have a general idea of what the RIR is supposed to look like, color and form, and I see the great variance from ideal in my flock. I am not sure I believe the rate of maturation could ever be judged after they have all reached a mature state.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Earlier maturing is NOT frowned upon, in my book. In fact, breeding away from earlier development repeatedly can lead to the sober situation that exists in many of the so-called heritage strains. Slower and slower and slower because phenotype rules all decision making in too many cases. This is not acceptable to those who have an eye on utility and some economic sanity.

The heritage of the dual purpose American breeds includes the ability of the cockerels to respectably fill a frying pan at 17-18 weeks. These breeds were intended to have utility and function as well as great looks and beauty. One without the other doesn't impress me. They are your birds and you can push them in the direction that most pleases you. You buy the feed and carry the feed bucket, nobody else.

Me? I insist on pushing for utility as a huge part of the package, in my Reds, my Barred Rocks and in my White Rocks. I want them living up to their true heritage as this is a real farm and I prefer birds that perform. That they also stop folks walking by them, dead in their tracks, and to over hear them proclaim, "I don't know anything about chickens, but THAT is the most beautiful bird I've ever seen". Priceless.

 

[LuvinBlueBirds]

I'm very far behind on trading this thread so I'm marking my place.

I was lucky enough to get some RC RIR's this summer and I'm very excited to have them and hope that mine will fulfill all of the expectations you have Fred.

Earlier maturing is NOT frowned upon, in my book.  In fact, breeding away from earlier development repeatedly can lead to the sober situation that exists in many of the so-called heritage strains.  Slower and slower and slower because phenotype rules all decision making in too many cases.  This is not acceptable to those who have an eye on utility and some economic sanity.

The heritage of the dual purpose American breeds includes the ability of the cockerels to respectably fill a frying pan at 17-18 weeks. These breeds were intended to have utility and function as well as great looks and beauty.  One without the other doesn't impress me.  They are your birds and you can push them in the direction that most pleases you.  You buy the feed and carry the feed bucket, nobody else.  

Me?  I insist on pushing for utility as a huge part of the package, in my Reds, my Barred Rocks and in my White Rocks.  I want them living up to their true heritage as this is a real farm and I prefer birds that perform.  That they also stop folks walking by them, dead in their tracks, and to over hear them proclaim, "I don't know anything about chickens, but THAT is the most beautiful bird I've ever seen".    Priceless.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I think one of my Fogle hens, the better layer of course, is now broody. About how many eggs should I give her to sit on. Right now she has one of hers. The ones I give her from the other laying hens would be smaller about the size of a large store bought egg.