The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Fred's Hens]

Lots of thoughts on "cleaning out" a hen from being under a former male, but it don't think you'll be too bad off. I got a felling that the old principle of "last one in, first one out" might work on your behalf. I guessing that vibrant young cockbird has pretty strong swimmers.

 

[Beekissed]

Bee, we were in a similar place with some Nelson Reds we had. Only got two females from immyjay54 and one didn't survive to adulthood. So, we're going to hatch every egg our remaining female lays in May. She's laying well, 24-25 eggs a month. If we can hatch out 80%? We'll be OK. You are in a similar situation.

Good to know I'm not the only desperate one out there.

The one that died was the biggest hen with that little cushion on the back, so I'm praying this other hen will stay healthy and produce because I think you'd like her body type more anyway. The Rock is feeling fine and breeding hard, so fertility shouldn't be an issue. I've got two broodies...one dedicated, one not, but I may load up both of them in a staggered hatch. The best broody with the first eggs gathered the second string with some later ones. A dozen eggs for each.

 

[Fred's Hens]

dartfreak75 and all other folks just sort of peeking into the Standard bred world, you have to know you are MOST WELCOME.

To learn and grow, however, there are important things to remember. First, do not be defensive and never take critique about ones birds personally. It isn't personal. It just is what it is. Also, remember that everyone is still learning, growing and trying to be better with these birds. Be patient and allow time to let things soak in.

I've been around Rocks for almost 55 years. I remember when I first took a shining to Rhode Island Reds, I was a complete nube. My "eye" couldn't see the Red type. I needed time to see a proper long, flat back, and especially the time to see how a Red has a long, rectangle body when viewed from the side profile. It takes more than red feathers to make a true Red. When I discovered how truly rare the good Reds were I was astounded. I assumed that all these rusty, reddish birds all over the place were Reds that were maybe just run down a bit, but I had no idea in the true difference and even less idea where I would get good, true, dark rich mahogany Reds. It simply took time to process it all.

It takes a bit of time to "see" the true type of Plymouth Rock too. That is why I recommend that if a person is serious about Plymouth Rocks, read this old book. It's online for free. https://archive.org/details/plymouthrockstan00amerrich

Just study it for a month or two and allow what you read and your study of the drawings to re-shape your perspective. Great old book. Then, order the current, modern version from the American Poultry Association.

 

[dartfreak75]

All of my birds 9 BR and 1 LB came from Meyer hatchery. I know I'm not gonna get show birds from a mail order hatchery for 2 dollars lol what I mean by show genes is what you just mentioned saddle back heads barring etc I don't know what to look for. Thanks for the link I will take a look see maybe learn something lol.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You sure will. Enjoy your reading. Don't be afraid to come back on here and ask questions as well.

Part of the problem we have on this thread, or any similar thread, is that photos can only "say" so much. When you see true bred, Standard bred for the first time? They'll take your breath away. The sheer size, their movements and actions, their royal, confident, calm sense they about themselves. The deep richness of the feathering, the incredible tightness of the feathering and the high quality of the feathering. The wide heads they carry. The super wide tail spread out in back. Thick legs and wide stances.

Takes your breath away and you never go back. This is why birds are exhibited at Poultry Exhibitions. It gives folks a chance to see the artistic beauty and magnificence of these creatures. It's like an art show with living displays.

Having them peck at grass in your own backyard? Priceless.



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[Sweetpea3829]

There is another Plymouth Rock thread that is friendlier to beginners who have a different agenda here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/273471/plymouth-rock-thread/6130#post_13329228. enjoy your rocks........stan

Thanks for that. I just wanted to know why he threw a yellow chick. Makes sense that the chick might be a WR due to mixing in the sire. I know that I don't have show quality birds...but I had expected chicks that were BR-looking with similar faults to the parents. Not an entirely different type of chicken!

 

[LindaB220]

Had a major set back on breeding WRs Sunday morning. My biggest, best hen was dead off the roost. Hale and hearty the day before and doing well, laying every day and dead the next morning..she was 1 yr old on the 24th. Did a PM and found she had liver disease...looks like her liver just went to pieces inside of her and she had a massive bleed out. Everything else internally looked good and healthy. Hoping the other hen isn't affected in the same way.

On the bright side, eggs collected from the WRs in the brief time The Rock was loose and breeding show massive bull's eyes...don't think I've ever seen such fertilization in all my life~cracked one egg this morning for breakfast and the bull's eye was big as a large pea, so if this other hen is healthy and survives, he ought to be able to produce some offspring with her. He's a boss on breeding!

Oh Bee, Just found this. So sorry. BUT one is all it takes. Pray she stays healthy.

 

[Beekissed]

Oh Bee, Just found this. So sorry. BUT one is all it takes. Pray she stays healthy.

I'm praying! The Rock has been out with the flock all day and I'm happy to say he has settled down and it not so eager....must have gotten it out of his system. The flock are sticking with him more this evening and it looks like they are showing him the ropes on foraging. I have a broody!!!

And she is a mean one! Both Dels are broody and that makes finding whose eggs are whose between the Dels and Rocks a whole lot easier.

Going to move the broodies to their own place tomorrow night and start stringing them along until I can get some WR eggs collected for a clutch. Just can't WAIT to see chicks out of this cockerel!!!!

He's broad as a barn, he is...every time he bends over I hear back up beepers!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Bob told me last night that one of the Good Shepherd Barred Rock hens went broody over the weekend down at the farm. Meaner than any cockbird he ever had to deal with. Hey, I had warned him. Put your welding gloves on if your mess with these hens. Bob's excited and why wouldn't he be. He stuck 8 or 9 eggs under her last night in the dark. 'Tis the season. Daylight hours are telling the birds to do their thing.

 

[Beekissed]

It's funny you should say that...I was just asking Mom if we had a pair of leather work gloves lying around. This one Del is a fire breathing dragon of a broody...which makes her a pretty good one as she cannot be persuaded to leave that nest. Those are the ones I like when I want to hatch. The other one pops off the nest when food is being dished up....she's not dedicated enough by my estimation.