The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Yard full o' rocks]

The older drawings show a lower/fuller breast, which makes the gravy bowl more symetrical, on both sides of the bird. The modern drawing seems to want to tilt the bowl on it's side a little bit. I like the older look better, alot better.

I believe another area of note is that today's birds have gotten too short in the leg. If you look at the old pix, the rocks are all "well up" on their legs and their front end has no appearance of coming close to the ground. In my opinion, many of today's rocks are too short in the legs and an area we should all look out for/breed for

 

[Fentress]

I believe another area of note is that today's birds have gotten too short in the leg. If you look at the old pix, the rocks are all "well up" on their legs and their front end has no appearance of coming close to the ground. In my opinion, many of today's rocks are too short in the legs and an area we should all look out for/breed for

thanks. I can see that difference now that you have pointed it out. I like the longer legs.

 

[chicken farmer2]

I think i know what i'm going to get for these questions but i just want to make sure,
So here is what i was thinking about i want to start a project something and i thought about trying to breed up barred rocks from hatchery quality Generation 1 to a show quality in a few generation, i mean barred rock i can get cheap around here and i want to breed them to be close to standard with good meat and egg production like they had back in the early 1930's

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

I think i know what i'm going to get for these questions but i just want to make sure, 
So here is what i was thinking about i want to start a project something and i thought about trying to breed up barred rocks from hatchery quality Generation 1 to a show quality in a few generation, i mean barred rock i can get cheap around here and i want to breed them to be close to standard with good meat and egg production like they had back in the early 1930's

A project that would be for sure. In my opinion hatchery rocks have been interbred with other breeds (mostly leghorns) for the purpose of egg laying. To get them back to near standard is not impossible, but would likely take 20+ yrs, not 5, a lot of time, money and effort. You'd be further ahead getting a decent standard trio to start with

 

[tigercreek]

I think i know what i'm going to get for these questions but i just want to make sure,
So here is what i was thinking about i want to start a project something and i thought about trying to breed up barred rocks from hatchery quality Generation 1 to a show quality in a few generation, i mean barred rock i can get cheap around here and i want to breed them to be close to standard with good meat and egg production like they had back in the early 1930's

Just like Scott said, why reinvent the wheel?? I' m pretty sure that you will be able to find quality rocks from a respected breeder near you, so why feed and breed thousands of clicks just to get to where you could start from?? You will have enough of a challenge just getting the perfect bird from really good stock...

 

[desertmarcy]

I think i know what i'm going to get for these questions but i just want to make sure,
So here is what i was thinking about i want to start a project something and i thought about trying to breed up barred rocks from hatchery quality Generation 1 to a show quality in a few generation, i mean barred rock i can get cheap around here and i want to breed them to be close to standard with good meat and egg production like they had back in the early 1930's

I second what the others have already told you. I would add that the cost of the birds is miniscule compared to the cost of the feed to raise them, and time spent. If Barred Rocks are "cheap" where you are, remember that with birds, you get what you pay for. You will find that your "cheap" birds are going to cost you a pretty penny trying to breed hatchery quality to show quality and most likely you will never get there and will give up out of discouragement.

 

[speckledhen]

Just like Scott said, why reinvent the wheel?? I' m pretty sure that you will be able to find quality rocks from a respected breeder near you, so why feed and breed thousands of clicks just to get to where you could start from?? You will have enough of a challenge just getting the perfect bird from really good stock...

I second what the others have already told you. I would add that the cost of the birds is miniscule compared to the cost of the feed to raise them, and time spent. If Barred Rocks are "cheap" where you are, remember that with birds, you get what you pay for. You will find that your "cheap" birds are going to cost you a pretty penny trying to breed hatchery quality to show quality and most likely you will never get there and will give up out of discouragement.

I must agree with all of the above. I've had both kinds, loved them both, but...

to go from this, my first BR rooster from McMurray (photo taken after I "renovated" him from a malnourished state some FFA kid put him in):



....to this, my first heritage BR male from the Marvin Stukel lines I hatched from eggs from a good breeder:




It would take a lifetime and most likely would never happen. Even breeding directly from the last male pictured and "matching" hens, you still must cull for type, color, conformation, etc, etc. In my opinion, to breed up to this super high standard from today's hatchery stock, it's really a losing battle, almost like crossing the Grand Canyon from edge to edge on a tricycle. You certainly may get some nice birds, nicer than their parents, and I did do that out of my hatchery stock, but none came within light years of that guy in the last photo. They just didn't have the right stuff.


ETA: Not to take anything away from that sweet old Hawkeye in the first photo. He was a great, great rooster, easygoing, gentlemanly, a perfect backyard flock leader.

 

[Silver Rock]

I think i know what i'm going to get for these questions but i just want to make sure, 
So here is what i was thinking about i want to start a project something and i thought about trying to breed up barred rocks from hatchery quality Generation 1 to a show quality in a few generation, i mean barred rock i can get cheap around here and i want to breed them to be close to standard with good meat and egg production like they had back in the early 1930's

When it's all said and done it is your call but I can honestly say I have tried hatchery birds in the past with breeds like the Delawares in 2009, La Fleche in 2010, Redcaps in 2011 & Langshans in 2012 all from hatchery stock. With every one of the breeds listed above by the time I culled down to the best ones they were still far from the Standard so I decided last year it would be best for me to get birds from a breeder / breeders to move forward with. I hope this helps.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: What a gorgeous Rooster (bottom pic of course) I'm waiting on pips from 4 of Fred's Hens barred rocks--holding my breath!

 

[racertomtom]

You will have enough of a challenge just getting the perfect bird from really good stock...