The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

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5 1/2 week old cockerel squared off against a full-grown leghorn (right). I was very surprised when the cockerel leapt into the air and tried to peck the leghorn through the wire. He's one brave bird...
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5 1/2 week old cockerel squared off against a full-grown leghorn (right). I was very surprised when the cockerel leapt into the air and tried to peck the leghorn through the wire. He's one brave bird...
lau.gif


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so cute...

I want some brown Leghorns. I have white large fowl but would like either dark or light brown. I have some little white Leghorns chicks about the same age trying to crow. It is coming out a squeak. They sound so funny. The RIR males are even thinking about crowing yet. My husband was near the chick coop and heard this funny squeak and told me so I went over to listen and sure enough a little white Leghorn chick was trying to crow.
lau.gif
 
lau.gif
so cute...

I want some brown Leghorns. I have white large fowl but would like either dark or light brown. I have some little white Leghorns chicks about the same age trying to crow. It is coming out a squeak. They sound so funny. The RIR males are even thinking about crowing yet. My husband was near the chick coop and heard this funny squeak and told me so I went over to listen and sure enough a little white Leghorn chick was trying to crow.
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Leghorns are typically flighty, but this hen has settled down a lot. She's not too skittish anymore, and lays a nice x-large cream-colored egg most every day. Seeing her and the little guy meet for the first time was funny to watch. She came up to the fence, and the cockerel ran over to check her out. The LH bent down to look at the cockerel, then raised her head and fluffed her hackles. This obviously excited the little guy, because immediately after I took that picture, he was airborne. That's Sonny's boy... btw.

I've noticed that while growth rate is on a fairly even keel with my (previous) hatchery chicks, maturity seems to be a little slower. My Barred Rock cockerels had much larger combs and wattles at this age, and had started making weird broken-squeaky-toy sounds (AKA starting to crow). My brooder is in the basement directly below my bed, so you can only imagine what it was like having that strange "sound" wake me up early in the morning(s). It took me several days to even figure out what it was...
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Brave... or stupid... I can't decide. One thing's for sure... it won't be long before those hens will think twice before bowing up to him! Fortunately for them, he won't be in their pen. From what I've seen,  I have a feeling he's going to be an exceptional adult.


LOL maybe both!? But hopefully he will be! :D
 
My pure birds, I have found do take a bit more time to mature. The females start laying a bit later than hatchery stock. My Leghorns mature much quicker.
It's typical for dual-purpose standards to mature slower than hatchery-grade egg layers. Purebreds build skeletal systems and organs first, then muscle.

I am trying to decide how to go about feeding my reds. I'm considering using Purina Feather Fixer (which can be fed year round), Manna Pro Poultry Conditioner (mixed with normal feed), or a combination of both. I want my birds to look their best, while providing a balanced diet.
 

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