The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[tigercreek]

Hello. I just stumbled onto this thread. I have been raising hatchery birds for about 3 years now and I am getting ready to take the next step forward in my new chicken addiction. I would like to begin breeding Plymouth Rocks and Speckled Sussex. I don't have room to run a ton of birds so what would be the best way to start a breeding program for two breeds with say less than 20 birds? Any details about pen numbers, size, roo to hen ratios, really anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I am limited also in the numbers of birds I can keep. I have a 3 pen rotational breeding plan. A trio in each pen. Toe punch the chicks so you know which pen they came from. Put the best pullets back into the pen they were bred from, and rotate the cocks to the next pen. Never put a cock back into the pen he was bred from, and never put a pullet into a pen that she was not bred from. With this rotation, you can go a long time without the need for introducing new blood.

 

[Fred's Hens]

About 10 pages back, I think, (maybe it was over on the Reds thread, oops) we talked at some length about developing a cooperative. When you're small and can only keep and breed 30 birds, you are gonna need at least one partner. Two partners? Even better.

I use the cooperative method on both of our breeds. Have to. You've got to really hatch 80+ chicks or more to improve a breed. Now that doesn't mean that one person has to do it all, but within the cooperative, it is very possible and quite likely necessary, if improvement is to be made.

If you're not going forward, you're going backward. It's a law of nature and the universe. Entropy. Things that are in order are always trying to move toward disorder.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I see nothing glaringly wrong with any of these Ps.

I think (if they were mine), I'd run K2 over all 4 of these girls....give them a rest and then run K4 over all 4 of them as well. If you can, mate them individually and toe punch accordingly

I wouldn't worry too much about the relation between them

I concur. Good plan.

 

[jermoatc]

thanks for your input. My goals are simply to have a flock that can reproduce itself while maintaining a good breed standard while producing eggs and meat for my family. can you give me more details about how you rotate your birds in the pens? When do you put them in for breeding? How long do you keep them together? How long till you begin collecting eggs for hatching? Is there a certain time of year for breeding or can you just put them together any time? Sorry bout all the questions but I still consider myself a newbie and want to do things right. I really appreciate all of your help.

 

[jermoatc]

Im also very curious about more details on the three pen rotational system.

 

[Fred's Hens]

thanks for your input. My goals are simply to have a flock that can reproduce itself while maintaining a good breed standard while producing eggs and meat for my family. can you give me more details about how you rotate your birds in the pens? When do you put them in for breeding? How long do you keep them together? How long till you begin collecting eggs for hatching? Is there a certain time of year for breeding or can you just put them together any time? Sorry bout all the questions but I still consider myself a newbie and want to do things right. I really appreciate all of your help.

Im also very curious about more details on the three pen rotational system.

Some "homework" or background studies are important. This is life long journey of reading, learning, talking, trying, experimenting, sharing and growing. Robert Blosl wrote many of his thoughts down, thankfully, and published them on his blog before his passing last fall.

Here is just one of his articles and since it is on breeding Rocks, it is a very good place to start.

http://bloslspoutlryfarm.tripod.com/id65.html How To Breed Plymouth Rocks

The subject of breeding and keeping bred to Standard poultry is too large in substance for quick answers on a forum thread such as this one. It's probably better to help point you to some quality background reading. Another resources that is a kind of "classic" in the poultry world is an old book by Walter Hogan title "The Call of the Hen" which can be read on line at Google Books or similar.

We're excited about your enthusiasm and all the questions you have. There is a lot to learn and it takes time to absorb it all. Getting hooked up with a mentor is highly encouraged. There are hours and hours of conversations to be had. Attend a poultry show near you and see these birds in person. Meet and greet other poultry people. Focus on your main, singular breed and get hooked up with the breed club. There you'll "meet" hundreds of folks who share your passion for that breed.

Finally, a book recommendation for life long learning and study. The American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection. The first 40 pages alone are the "bible" of understanding and worth the price of the book.

 

[Fred's Hens]

How to start?

Secure a trio of the best birds you possibly can. A good cockerel and two good pullets, of age. From this beginning, you can easily put 50 chicks on the ground this spring and early summer. Two pullets will lay 48 eggs each month in April and May. If you were to incubate them all you'd have easily have 75 chicks this year. That's your beginning.

In fall, you cull down to a much smaller group to winter over. Then, next year at about this time, you'd be making your selection for breeding assignments.

Or, get a box of eggs, say a box of 36 eggs from which you may hatch 24-28 healthy chicks and grow them out this summer. This fall, you'd cull down to your winter carry over flock and you'd select your breeders for next year's hatching.

There's a couple ways to get started, but getting started with the best birds you can find is essential. You have to start somewhere and begin your exciting journey.

 

[tigercreek]

Im also very curious about more details on the three pen rotational system.

I don't think that you will find an easier to understand explanation than the one in the link to Bob Blosl's blog that Fred posted for you. As far as breeding season, most breeders will set eggs as early in the year as possible. I put lights on my breeders about 3 weeks ago, and I set my first eggs this past Saturday. Those who breed to show will have almost fully grown chicks by the time the fall shows roll around. I don't show, but with an early in the year start, the chicks will grow out better before the heat of summer, and you will have fewer problems with illnesses i f they are going good before the wet season starts. You will also have birds old enough to go into the breeding pens next year at the same time. After I think I have hatches enough for the year, I will put all the hens together in a flock for eggs to eat or sell. Separate the male and female chicks into their own pens to reduce feeding competition.

 

[Fred's Hens]

tigercreek, I agree.

If you're just starting out, focus on your breed and getting your start. You're a year away from breeding and there will lots of time to read, study, research, listen in on good conversations and hopefully find a mentor.

We all started somewhere. Glad to help interested Rock lovers get off to a good start and help them find a source of good eggs or chicks.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Hello. I just stumbled onto this thread. I have been raising hatchery birds for about 3 years now and I am getting ready to take the next step forward in my new chicken addiction. I would like to begin breeding Plymouth Rocks and Speckled Sussex. I don't have room to run a ton of birds so what would be the best way to start a breeding program for two breeds with say less than 20 birds? Any details about pen numbers, size, roo to hen ratios, really anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I see that you got replies regarding the pen rotation, so I won't go there

To add to what others have said, keep in mind a few things. Start with the BEST you can afford to buy. I see you mentioned Speckled Sussex. While I don't raise them, I do recall that Gary Overton has been mentioned as having some of the best in the US

As for Plymouth Rocks....you'll need to decided on a variety. White, Barred, Silver Penciled, Buff, etc, etc Based upon the variety, again, buy the BEST you can afford. Quality varies widely by variety and by breeder. Whites and Barreds are in far better shape than the other color patterns as far as consistency in quality. SO, with that said, let the buyer beware! Do your homework, ask questions, and select something you will enjoy seeing every day! Good luck and welcome