The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[BantyChickenLuv]

Here is a RIR and his buddy in the background that I got out of the 'frying pan special' at the feed store. I was actually trying to get a pic of some other chicks, but these birds are so up in my gridness anytime I go out. Funny birds! They are about 6 weeks old now. About what age are they usually best to butcher? Thanks! Jason

Those are not RIR's. Those are production Reds, which are the hatchery version of RIR. If you look at some of the pictures in this thread it is easy to see the difference between Heritage RIR's and Production RIR's. Don't know about butchering, sorry.

 

[FOGELLY]

So sorry for your loss. It is hard for me even to loose one bird. That is really strange. I'm sure it's too late to take a water sample. Most counties have water testing for free or a minimal charge. Just curious what could have been in the water line. Certainly makes me think if we run anymore PVC to flush it well. We have hundreds of feet of PVC pipes with auto waterers to all of our coops. We do run water through the lines before we actually let the birds drink it. We have PVC pipes running water to our house, garage and an apartment we have on the property. Makes a person think...

That was several weeks ago.
We have many, many feet of PVC pipe. I installed every bit of it myself, including the main water line from the meter to the house.
It was not an issue with the water itself. I purchased all the pipe from a local building supply. Same supplier as all of the line on our property. I will never know what it may have been.

I will use it as a learning experience, just be a little behind the original plan.

Thanks for everyone's well wishes, it is truly appreciated.

Ron

 

[FOGELLY]

Here is a RIR and his buddy in the background that I got out of the 'frying pan special' at the feed store. I was actually trying to get a pic of some other chicks, but these birds are so up in my gridness anytime I go out. Funny birds! They are about 6 weeks old now. About what age are they usually best to butcher? Thanks! Jason

Your should butcher them when their size suits your standard for a meat bird. They will reach a point when they are eating more than their value for meat. Ron

 

[Fred's Hens]

We usually go ahead take the cockerels at around 18-20 weeks. That's about the "sweet spot" that Ron was talking about. After that, they may put on a bit more muscle, but the feed they consume to do so isn't always worth it. It's a judgement you'll have to make at the time.

 

[catdaddyfro]

That was several weeks ago.
We have many, many feet of PVC pipe. I installed every bit of it myself, including the main water line from the meter to the house.
It was not an issue with the water itself. I purchased all the pipe from a local building supply. Same supplier as all of the line on our property. I will never know what it may have been.

I will use it as a learning experience, just be a little behind the original plan.

Thanks for everyone's well wishes, it is truly appreciated.

Ron

Do you think it could have been some toxicity in the glue used "maybe"? I think I would at the least throw away that can and try a different one or brand. I think some of the "better for though stuffs" made nowadays "ain't really that great" for you much less the lesser(wee) ones that are often dealt with on a farm. J/S this my opinion only, LOL

Jeff

 

[LilBeaverDoms]

We usually go ahead take the cockerels at around 18-20 weeks. That's about the "sweet spot" that Ron was talking about. After that, they may put on a bit more muscle, but the feed they consume to do so isn't always worth it. It's a judgement you'll have to make at the time.

Your should butcher them when their size suits your standard for a meat bird. They will reach a point when they are eating more than their value for meat.

Ron

Those are not RIR's. Those are production Reds, which are the hatchery version of RIR. If you look at some of the pictures in this thread it is easy to see the difference between Heritage RIR's and Production RIR's.
Don't know about butchering, sorry.

Thanks for all the info! Wasn't sure on the breed, so thanks!

 

[FOGELLY]

Do you think it could have been some toxicity in the glue used "maybe"? I think I would at the least throw away that can and try a different one or brand. I think some of the "better for though stuffs" made nowadays "ain't really that great" for you much less the lesser(wee) ones that are often dealt with on a farm. J/S  this my opinion only, LOL

Jeff

I was thinking glue most likely also. The glue I used was one of those one step glue and primer types that is supposed to work in wet or dry conditions.
Never Again!

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
I'm planning for 18 weeks for the hatchery roosters we are raising. I think it will be about the time they either start crowing or mock fighting since there is no way I want to deal with all of them crowing at the same time at daybreak.

 

[chicksnthestiks]

Thanks Jim.
I was sick over it and still feel really bad.Here is what happened.
I spent the better part of a weekend digging a 150+ foot trench and installing a waterline to my grow out pens and brooding area. I used 20' lengths of 1" PVC and a frost free hydrant. I finished just as it was getting dark on Sunday. Bone tired I retired for the day. The next morning before leaving for work, I ran the water until it ran clear (not very long) and watered my chicks and young birds.
The first water I filled was the 5 1/2 week RIR.
When I came home that evening they were all dead. Also a bird in the pen with the next water I filled was very ill. No other pens that received water that morning were affected.
I can only assume that there was something in the water line that poisoned them.

Ron

I am so sorry for your loss and want to thank you for sharing this. I am always running new lines and getting ready to do one to the chicken coups. Maybe it was the glue that can seep through the joints before they dry.

 

[cmom]

Here is a RIR and his buddy in the background that I got out of the 'frying pan special' at the feed store. I was actually trying to get a pic of some other chicks, but these birds are so up in my gridness anytime I go out. Funny birds!


They are about 6 weeks old now. About what age are they usually best to butcher?
Thanks!
Jason

I am wondering that too. When I have excess boys from hatches, I usually sell them. That way I can at least recoup some of the expense of feeding them. Many people buy them because they are Heritage RIR and they want new blood in their flock. I don't think most that buy the cockerels are really buying them because they are HRIR but because it is a different blood line, they like the dark mahogany color of the birds. They really don't care about preserving the line. I have thought about butchering some but I get very attached to them, so I don't think I could process them myself.