The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Yard full o' rocks]

Scott, what do you have, 34 other males hatched?   

Fred, if hatch is 50/50, then somewhere around that. More than I'll ever need. Hoping to keep 3-4. Right now my cockbird, Jack, isn't well. Broke a back toe and isn't getting around well at all

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Here is the one I was describing that I don't care for...notice that "hump" along his back. Does anything think that will go away? I'm thinking not

Reading this thread for education. Can you tell me, is the hump due to feathers or is it from the skeletal structure of the bird? (Or does it matter?)

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Reading this thread for education.  Can you tell me, is the hump due to feathers or is it from the skeletal structure of the bird?  (Or does it matter?)

I think it's feathers, but I need to lay hands on him and check. In either case it's not wanted

 

[aoxa]

This cock is good enough that I thought he was a cockerel. The old timers always told me to breed from cocks and hens, not cockerels and pullets. I’ve found this to be especially true with Barred Rocks. Barred cocks have a tendency to get a little smutty in color, not well defined between the black and white bars, especially in the wing bow and coverts and sometimes in the saddle and hackle feathers. They also sometimes loose a little tail. This guy has hung on to his type and color very well. Also notice that his saddle and hackle feathers are fairly modest. Cocks have a tendency to get flashy in this area. That means this bird won’t likely put a cushion on the pullets, which many folks seem to be fighting somewhat. Of course, you wouldn’t see any of this if you’re breeding from cockerels. I would put this guy in the breeding pen even if I had cockerels that seemed better.

Most every line use to be double mated and have since been combined and single mated. If anybody is considering double mating, you probably already have all the kinds of birds in your line.You just have to sort it out. It's also why it is so hard to get rid of some traits, they were put there on purpose. You might find it a little easier than trying to get both from single mating. It just depends on your goals. The above cock was probably from a pullet line. He would have a little longer back to make the pullets a little longer and he would be much lighter in color, to the point that you would cull him for color when single mating. That would bring the Black/white ratio closer to the 60/40 stated in the standard.


This cock was 4 years old in this picture, he is from a cockerel line. That’s what I meant by flashy saddle and hackle feathers. He will put cushions on pullets, but made “wow” cockerels. He needs to be a bit darker and mated with a dark female with black ticking in her plumage and a solid black wing and/or tail feather, also birds you might cull when single mating. I got rid of a lot of the super long tail feathers, which is common in cocks, by breeding him to females with as wide of tail feathers as possible. Of course, you wouldn’t see any of this either, if you’re breeding from cockerels and you'd be wondering why you couldn't get rid of cushions no matter what pullet you used. Its probably coming from the male.

aoxa,
I hope you don't mind me using your bird as an example. I'm not addressing the above post directly to you or bashing your bird. As a matter of fact, I think he's awesome! Just thinking out loud.

Don't mind at all, in fact find it very helpful He looks MUCH better than he did as a cockerel. His tail was not long enough in the least, and his breast really lacked.

here is his picture at 8 months. He is twice that now.

This is him at 8 months old.

and now.. just so you can see the difference 8 months and a molt can make.

I'm lucky with cushions. I don't see them often at all.







You can see Jagger's wideness here

 

[Fred's Hens]

Not a great photo, but just to show the lack of cushion.



Our line has other issues, to be sure, but cushions isn't a challenge.

 

[Fred's Hens]

This is an older hen.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Ok Fred....you asked for juvie pix (sorry in advance for the photo bomb). All of these birds are 14-15 weeks old....too soon to tell much, but I'm seeing 2 pullets and 2 cockerels that I'm watching closely





















Overall I'm quite pleased with width, head size and leg spacing (so far)

 

[Fred's Hens]

This is our old cockbird. He's 3 years old. He's still a pretty good looking old guy, but his chicks are a bit inconsistent.



The second photo is a young, 8-9 month old K that I tagged in March down at the farm. I want to use him for some single matings this fall, if everything works out with him.

 

[AmazingChickens]

Sorry I don't have very good pictures but he never lets me get close to him

 

[Fred's Hens]

Sorry I don't have very good pictures but he never lets me get close to him

I am going to assume you realize that your male is of hatchery stock, at best, in breeding? He looks like you've fed him well. But, on this thread, to be very honest. He'd be mighty tasty with some noodles or dumplings.