The Middle Tennessee Thread

[cree57i]

Hello! I am new to BYC. I live in McEwen which is west of Nashville. Can I get some help? Our barred rock chickens are about 21 weeks old. They came from the 4H chick chain and my daughter showed them at the fair this weekend. The other birds had big red wattles and combs but not ours. They are still small and pink. Are we doing something wrong or can we do something different to help them? Thanks!

Welcome to the Middle Tennessee thread and BYC!

It sounds like the others may have males and you have little girls!

Lucky you! With the days getting shorter, your pullets may take longer than 21 weeks to begin laying. A cockerel of 21 weeks will have a red comb and wattles. Be patient. You can't rush mother nature. It sounds like you are doing fine!

 

[lwallace21]

All the birds shown were females. We did get one cock in our bunch of chicks but he was the only one. All the 4H'ers were required to bring females to the show. Some looked similar to Shelbi's but most of them had full combs and wattles that were bright red. My husband said ours will too eventually - I guess I just wondered if we should do anything differently?

Welcome to the Middle Tennessee thread and BYC!

It sounds like the others may have males and you have little girls! Lucky you! With the days getting shorter, your pullets may take longer than 21 weeks to begin laying. A cockerel of 21 weeks will have a red comb and wattles. Be patient. You can't rush mother nature. It sounds like you are doing fine!:cd

 

[Ravynscroft]

All the birds shown were females. We did get one cock in our bunch of chicks but he was the only one. All the 4H'ers were required to bring females to the show. Some looked similar to Shelbi's but most of them had full combs and wattles that were bright red. My husband said ours will too eventually - I guess I just wondered if we should do anything differently?

Could they be a bit younger than the others? Or they might just be slower developers... either way, as long as they are eating and drinking fine, gaining weight, and active I don't think there's anything to worry about...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Hi I am in the Nashville area
Anyone deal with horsenettle and what it will do to poultry

Sorry, no idea at all... is that the same as horsetails?

 

[lwallace21]

Could they be a bit younger than the others? Or they might just be slower developers... either way, as long as they are eating and drinking fine, gaining weight, and active I don't think there's anything to worry about...

They were all the same age - the 4H'ers all got them on the same day. I felt really good about how we were doing until I saw those other birds at the fair. We feed twice a day (but idk how much). You think they need more food?

 

[Ravynscroft]

They were all the same age - the 4H'ers all got them on the same day. I felt really good about how we were doing until I saw those other birds at the fair. We feed twice a day (but idk how much). You think they need more food?

How long does it take for them to eat it all?

 

[DMRippy]

Hatchery barred rocks will have bigger combs than heritage. Is it possible you got heritage BR? My BR are heritage and they seldom have big combs. Hatchery BR usually will have some Leghorn in them and they have HUGE combs.

 

[lwallace21]

How long does it take for them to eat it all?

I'm not sure. I talked to my brother in law a little bit ago and he said they should really have access to feed all the time.

 

[lwallace21]

Hatchery barred rocks will have bigger combs than heritage.  Is it possible you got heritage BR?  My BR are heritage and they seldom have big combs.  Hatchery BR usually will have some Leghorn in them and they have HUGE combs.

I'm not sure but all the kids would have been given the same kind. I just want to get sure of what I'm doing so these chickens make good layers and so if she ever does this again she can do better.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I'm not sure. I talked to my brother in law a little bit ago and he said they should really have access to feed all the time.

I free feed, but many don't... that's a personal choice... long as they are not eating it all up within a few short mins, they should be fine... think it's a half hour that's suggested? *but I could be wrong on that*

If you can free feed, that might be your best choice though... for peace of mind...