The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[aoxa]

3 weeks old and the chicks only now are starting to get feathers in other places besides the wings. Is this slower than normal or typical for BR.

Normal


Chick in picture is at least 4 weeks. Being babysat by a SP cockerel.

 

[Fentress]

Thanks. That looks about right. Mine have grown alot in the last week, but the feathers are slow. It's good to have them on the ground and settled in. Looking forward to hatching more next year, hopefully with a little less anxiety than this year. At least I have my start.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Well all the youngsters are now in the grow up pens. Moved the last batch of 8 up there tonight. All the grow up pens were cleaned out and new shavings put in right after work...it's a tad warm here, glad it's not 90 yet

Had a bad evening Sunday....seems I lost at least 2 juveniles to either coyotes or foxes. Went to my sisters house for supper and when we got home there were 2 "trails of feathers" for 20 yds or more. Had one injured sitting in the food plot that had a broken leg. First losses this yr...normally it's the hawks. Hoping whatever it was doesn't come back. The boys are finished with school as of Friday and I've put a shotgun in the garage with shoot to kill orders

Looking to do a first pass culling this weekend since it's a long weekend

Hope everyone is well

 

[Fred's Hens]

Scott, that's about the worst feeling. Just saying sorry doesn't quite cover it. Got to consider dogs too, as I'm sure you have. Saying it could have been worse is also no consolation, my friend, but it could have.

 

[Fred's Hens]

As a farmer, market gardener, this is our horribly busy season. Swamped. So stiff and sore, there are no words.

Haven't had time to post photos, but I did notice the oldest cockerel of this year's hatch flash by me in the barn juvie pen this morning during quick chores. I just HAD to notice. Holy smokes. What a beaut. That he's in with a bunch of good looking Reds makes him stand out ever more. LOL

Went over to the next youngest group and didn't see anything quite as flashy. The wee smallest chicks are too young to say much except that they're busy being little chicks.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Thanks Fred. I refuse to keep mine penned up so I guess predators are a possibilty I must consider

I few yrs back a large female coyote found the birds and wiped out 6 one day at high noon! 3/4 grown birds!!! Fortunately, we saw her on one of her "trips" and I was able to introduce her to the business end of a .410

 

[Fred's Hens]

Speaking of which, I need more .410 shells. Got boxes of 20's and 16's though. It's getting to be that time of year.

 

[racertomtom]

Thanks Fred. I refuse to keep mine penned up so I guess predators are a possibilty I must consider

I few yrs back a large female coyote found the birds and wiped out 6 one day at high noon! 3/4 grown birds!!! Fortunately, we saw her on one of her "trips" and I was able to introduce her to the business end of a .410

So, have you gotten your cat scan results back yet to see why you decided to become a chicken rancher?

Two winters ago, my Pyrenees got hit by a car, not realizing he was keeping a pack of large dogs at bay, I lost every pullet on the farm and most every cockerel. I lost a line and a breed. Breeding from 3 and 4 year old hens the following spring, it was my worst hatch since starting with a single pair of birds. Follow that with the worst winter on record, my southern Illinois coops weren’t built for Michigan winters, I find myself still fighting back from near extinction. You will get better at breeding Plymouth Rocks over the years, but I promise you, it never gets easy.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

I see it as an "adult science project"....constantly working

 

[racertomtom]

I see it as an "adult science project"....constantly working

Yeah....I haven't gotten my results back either.