The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Fred's Hens]

A chicken with an hump in its back is called "Roach Back". It is a very serious skeletal fault and birds with this trait should not be bred. They should be culled and not used in a breeding program. The female appears to have a slight roach back as well and considering that a Plymouth Rock should not have a flat back any way I would say that both birds are not good examples of standard type. The female may turn out decent but I don't think the male is worth breeding.


Matt

I agree. To repeat what I posted above, it may sound harsh, but learning to cull is an essential skill that must be mastered.

As Fred Jeffrey always said....never leave the coop without a dead chicken in your hand.

 

[kaiwan]

Thanks for the help guys. I do appreciate it.

 

[lefty26]

I have been looking for a barred rock breeder here in fl for a long time to success. Is anyone by any chance coming down to fl or georgia Sometime soon. I am only looking for a good trio of birds.

 

[normanack]

A chicken with an hump in its back is called "Roach Back". It is a very serious skeletal fault and birds with this trait should not be bred. They should be culled and not used in a breeding program. The female appears to have a slight roach back as well and considering that a Plymouth Rock should not have a flat back any way I would say that both birds are not good examples of standard type. The female may turn out decent but I don't think the male is worth breeding.


Matt

Can you feel this fault under the feathers?
Wouldn't it be cool if we could x-ray our flocks? Or run them through an airport scanner . . . ;-)

 

[aoxa]

Thanks for the info on roach back I helped a friend steer clear of a possible purchase of some White Rocks with Roach Back because of it!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks for the info on roach back

Ditto. I lurk and learn. And Matt, that white male is stunning!

 

[Matt1616]

Ditto. I lurk and learn. And Matt, that white male is stunning!

Thank you, this is his dad...he wasn't bad either. He won several shows last year.





Matt

 

[aoxa]

I like the barring on this guy, any obvious reasons as to why he should not carry on to the next level (serious cuts made later in the year). He's 12 weeks.




The oldest pullet I have is 8 weeks. I couldn't get a decent picture of her.. This is the best I got for photos.. She has a good size head though.. and I think her barring is nice and crisp. Can't judge her at 8 weeks by this photo though.

 

[Chicken Ducks]

Hows does my BR rooster look?

 

[Fred's Hens]

This bird has a humped back and a pinched tail. Should be heading toward a date with noodles or dumplings very soon.