The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[cmom]

Quote:
I was wondering about that. I noticed what looked like zip ties on their legs. I have all of my birds banded except for the chicks but they are separated.

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

Thought I should post some pictures of my rooster after his tail grew in. His back isn't actually slanted, in pictures it always looks that way,

Wow... talk about deep mahogany! He's gorgeous. Maybe getting down lower and tilting the camera down on the head side will make it flatter in the pics? It's pretty hard to capture with a camera what you see with the naked eye. Most of the pics you see of champion birds are with the birds on a raised platform and the camera pretty much level with the bird.

I was wondering about that. I noticed what looked like zip ties on their legs. I have all of my birds banded except for the chicks but they are separated.

I use 4" zip ties to keep chicks separated because they're very small and inexpensive. I'll go through quite a few before moving to a larger size. I'm not likely going to number the chicks. If I find I need addition identification for a particular bird, I'll add an addition zip tie in a different color. It's easier for me to spot colors from a distance than it is to read small numbers...

 

[cmom]

I use colored spiral leg bands on them when they are old enough. Patty now has 2 leg bands one green and a white one. This was before I put the green one on her. Some birds have more than one leg band and some have one on each leg. I used to use the numbered ones but couldn't read the numbers very easy either so now I just use colors.

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

I use colored spiral leg bands on them when they are old enough. Patty now has 2 leg bands one green and a white one. This was before I put the green one on her. Some birds have more than one leg band and some have one on each leg. I used to use the numbered ones but couldn't read the numbers very easy either so now I just use colors.

Great minds thinking alike?

 

[waddles99]

Well this sucks. Thanks for all the replies. I want you guys to keep in mind that my frustration isn't directed at any of you at all, but rather my setup. It just stinks to go to shows and see everyone else's nice birds knowing that I can't ever achieve that because I have no way of having any breeding going on. Id rather not go into any detail on my setup because its not really relevant WHY I can't be breeding, but I will say I live in a townhouse with no yard, and am keeping the birds at someone elses coop. So that pretty much discounts any chance of getting a breeding program going. Especially since I can't get a rooster. Every time I go to a show, it is an advantage that these people get to have these birds over generations of breeding. I'm not trying to say it is unfair that they win, because I know how much work they put in, while I am simply buying birds and feeding them. Nor am I saying it is unfair that breeders won't sell anything but their culls. I am saying it is unfair that they get the opportunity to put that work in to get those birds.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Some day, perhaps, you'll find yourself on a few acres in a pastoral country setting and things will be different.
Right now, it is what it is.

 

[waddles99]

Some day, perhaps, you'll find yourself on a few acres in a pastoral country setting and things will be different.
Right now, it is what it is.

Lol, I hope so. Graduating high school in '17 so we hope to move out to Indiana and get a couple acres for goats and chickens and maybe a heifer or two. For now, I think I will go ahead and get these ones from the lady with Toni's birds. Like it has been pointed out to me, no matter who I get them, its better than hatchery but not as good as setting up a breeding program.

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

Well this sucks. Thanks for all the replies. I want you guys to keep in mind that my frustration isn't directed at any of you at all, but rather my setup. It just stinks to go to shows and see everyone else's nice birds knowing that I can't ever achieve that because I have no way of having any breeding going on. Id rather not go into any detail on my setup because its not really relevant WHY I can't be breeding, but I will say I live in a townhouse with no yard, and am keeping the birds at someone elses coop. So that pretty much discounts any chance of getting a breeding program going. Especially since I can't get a rooster. Every time I go to a show, it is an advantage that these people get to have these birds over generations of breeding. I'm not trying to say it is unfair that they win, because I know how much work they put in, while I am simply buying birds and feeding them. Nor am I saying it is unfair that breeders won't sell anything but their culls. I am saying it is unfair that they get the opportunity to put that work in to get those birds.

Sorry for the rant.

I understand your frustration. While it may not seem fair that the top breeders/show winners keep the cream of the crop, and only the crumbs are handed down, you have to keep in mind that the only way to keep their breeding programs going in the right direction is by keeping and breeding the best of the best. Even when that happens, only a very few will make the cut. While it may appear to some as greed, it's merely a matter of survival. In my opinion, you have two options: 1) hatch eggs from show winning birds... or... 2) purchase chicks from a reputable breeder of showbirds. While you may end up with a bunch of so-so birds, you may also wind up with a grand champion in group. It's hard for even seasoned breeders to pick and choose the best eggs or day-old chicks, so the advantage goes to you in this situation.

Lol, I hope so. Graduating high school in '17 so we hope to move out to Indiana and get a couple acres for goats and chickens and maybe a heifer or two. For now, I think I will go ahead and get these ones from the lady with Toni's birds. Like it has been pointed out to me, no matter who I get them, its better than hatchery but not as good as setting up a breeding program.

In continuation of my previous comment, even if the birds aren't top-of-the-line quality, if they've been bred pure they will have the genes of showbirds. It may take some work to refine those genes into creating the birds you want... and it may take years to accomplish... but it's very possible. I hope you do end up in a place where you can raise goats and chickens, and maybe a heifer or two...

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

I can happily report that one of the chicks from sick bay has now joined the general population. It's been doing great, so I put it in the brooder with it's sibling to see how it would fare and how it would be treated. It made a mad dash to the heater plate where the other chicks were hanging out, and they didn't give it a second glance. It was no time before it was scooting all over the brooder looking for food. It obviously wasn't happy eating in the incubator, because it was literally climbing over it's siblings to get to the next morsel!

Looking a little rough around the edges, but don't let that fool you. It's full of spunk!!!


Here it is diving into the middle of the pile...


Even if it turns out to be a dud, my wife has already claimed it as her pet. She thinks just because she nursed it back to health she's supposed to be attached, or something goofy like that...

 

[cmom]

Some day, perhaps, you'll find yourself on a few acres in a pastoral country setting and things will be different.
Right now, it is what it is.

I agree. Don't give up.