The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[cbnovick]

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.

I'm seeing it & liking it!!

 

[cbnovick]

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.

that's enough evidence to make it a bona fide theory IMO....injection of vigor by way of strain outcross...

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

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.

Fred

I think ya done good.....if you read the history on the EB Thompson (Imperial Ringlet line) he crossed his Barred Rocks to a Leghorn at some point (I don't recall which variety), but it's said that it was that outcross that initiated the slow feathering that caused the very straight barring we see today!! IMHO, I think there can be some very valuable results from selective outcrossing

 

[Fred's Hens]

Thanks for the kind words. This is an ongoing project. I honestly figure it will take until F3, perhaps F4 until I am satisfied with the project. Really want consistent results. As expected, this F1 class means heavy, heavy culling. As I said, 40 chicks hatched might, might produce only 3 good pullets to go forward with. I'm old school. I want type from the hen and color from the cockbird. Just the way I see the universe, but everyone has to find their own path.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Thanks for the kind words. This is an ongoing project. I honestly figure it will take until F3, perhaps F4 until I am satisfied with the project. Really want consistent results. As expected, this F1 class means heavy, heavy culling. As I said, 40 chicks hatched might, might produce only 3 good pullets to go forward with. I'm old school. I want type from the hen and color from the cockbird. Just the way I see the universe, but everyone has to find their own path.

Fred

The thing I like most about experiments is that the mistakes...."they taste like chicken"

 

[Fred's Hens]

Fred

The thing I like most about experiments is that the mistakes...."they taste like chicken"

There are a ton of mouths to feed in the extended family. Lots and lots of kids that like "real" chicken and eat a lot of eggs. The culls absolutely serve a purpose. Waste not, want not. You are right, Scot.

 

[weavers rocks]

nice pullets you got there fred

 

[weavers rocks]

didn't mean to post this new hamp

15 week old white rock

15 week old wr pullet

 

[weavers rocks]

this is two more 15 week old wr pullets one on left is best pullet of 7 second best was other pullet posted with white rock cockeral

 

[cbnovick]

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

chicks are decently feathered in at 6 weeks...and barring looks clean from photos.
older hen does not look to be from Good Shepherd lines?? what strain(s)??
NICE spread on the 16 week male.
You sure may be on to something with this mating....

Brings to mind a subject of much debate in years past at least....What does everyone think of 'ol EB Thompson's double mating for ringlets????
Method requires more birds and more space...are the downsides for most in modern times...IMO.