The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Fred's Hens]

Here is what we have done. This is a personal trial for me. A personal experiment with nothing to lose and perhaps something to gain. Not recommending this to anyone, just saying what I've enjoyed doing because I have the time, the interest and the space to try it.

Since we kept a really good 3rd cockerel out the JWhip/GSBR from Kathy, we had a male who needed something to do anyhow. Our old line of BRs was from what is called "The Maine Line" by many people, although there are many forks off that old line. This line had been given a shot of White Rock some years back in an attempt to pick up some valued features, but that outcross will blur the barring, it is said and I believe it.

We put our 3rd cockerel over 4 hens and hatched around 40 F1 chicks. We've already culled down to 20 and will cull again to the 3 or 4 best pullets this fall.

These chicks jumped out of the shells like popcorn in the hatcher. That's the best way to describe it, jumping popcorn. Hatching vigor I hadn't seen in a long while. Once in the brooder, they were running, jumping, eating and squabbling like maniacs in just a day or too.

 

[aoxa]

Scott, you listed all the top lines. There are lines out of the NorthEast in Mass. and Maine as well.

The issue for many people is the whole idea of an outcross. Since it is best to teach folks the principles of line breeding and the holding to one line in fidelity, the idea of outcrossing gives many people the heeby jeebies.

As long as your line has vigor and/or you can bring in a bird from your line that sparks vigor, you've not much need to be concerned. But when hatch rates fall to a dismal 10-20% of eggs set, then yes. Houston, we've got a problem.

But if you never outcross, how is the line ever your own?

Hope that doesn't sound too forward.

I know my line was crossed with many to get to where the breeder liked them. He has used the Maine line in that attempt. I think he's done quite well. Hard to find the Barred variety in the condition of your Stukel and GSPR birds. However, they are high vitality, and have very good hatch ability. A broody just hatched out 6/6 I put under her. Along with a few other oddballs.

This time of year I am having trouble hatching anything. Only the broodies seem to do it properly.

I have some SPPRs as well. I would like to share pictures, but they are only 6 weeks. Anyone care to see?

 

[Fred's Hens]

I have some SPPRs as well. I would like to share pictures, but they are only 6 weeks. Anyone care to see?

You are way too funny.

 

[weavers rocks]

ee
first pic three and a half yr old mothr to all barreds this year. 2pic 16 week old male, 3 rd pic tail spread of 16 week old male above, 4th is the father 5th is wing color on 8 week old male.no 6 and 7 are to 6week olds

 

[Fred's Hens]

But if you never outcross, how is the line ever your own?

You always pay respect to the work of the previous breeder upon whose foundation you're building, saying, "These are our birds out of Smith or Jones birds". That kind of thing.

I'm an old fuddy duddy. Even if you never outcross, if you keep doing the selecting of birds for the breeder pen? Yeah, you're making the choices and those birds will be yours very shortly, good, bad or ugly. LOL

 

[aoxa]

You are way too funny.

I have messaged Wynette about the brown in the boys. Still no word. Maybe someone here can tell me if they are culls







This male has quite a lot of brown, as does the one behind the female in pic two.

These guys are easy to sex by colour. All the males are so much darker and less defined than the girls.

 

[aoxa]

You always pay respect to the work of the previous breeder upon whose foundation you're building, saying, "These are our birds out of Smith or Jones birds". That kind of thing.

I'm an old fuddy duddy. Even if you never outcross, if you keep doing the selecting of birds for the breeder pen? Yeah, you're making the choices and those birds will be yours very shortly, good, bad or ugly. LOL

I get that

 

[Fred's Hens]

I wanna see this girl in another month or two. I am a "Call Of The Hen" guy through and through.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Here' two more photos of some of the "semi-finalists" of the F1 project. Even at this age, my eye is searching for type. I've seen so many of these pullet chicks the shining stars tend to stand out pretty early on. They're squirmy as all get out when you go into their pen to take a photo, but I waited until the two pullets I wanted popped out to the front. Sorry about my bad photography skills, but nonetheless, I hope you can see what I see in these little youngsters.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Here' two more photos of some of the "semi-finalists" of the F1 project. Even at this age, my eye is searching for type. I've seen so many of these pullet chicks the shining stars tend to stand out pretty early on. They're squirmy as all get out when you go into their pen to take a photo, but I waited until the two pullets I wanted popped out to the front. Sorry about my bad photography skills, but nonetheless, I hope you can see what I see in these little youngsters.

Look like keepers to me.....love to hear how this project works out. Sounds like its already helped hatchability!!!