The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[BGMatt]

How important is double mating to breeding Barred Rocks? If you are not interested in top show quality birds is it necessary? How bad does the the barring get if you don't double mate? the BR could be an option for me at some point, but I need to keep things as simple as possible and avoid additional lines, if possible. Thanks!

Double mating is not required in any breed. In some breeds it is easier to produce elite show specimens with double mating, but it is possible to single mate any breed/variety, never required. (although not to my knowledge and experience with bantam barred rocks the Barred Rock is not one of them)

 

[Fentress]

thanks

 

[maryhysong]

Yeah she has a bit of size to her! That's fantastic at that young of an age. Love the color. Looks very even. And that head is impressive! Can't wait to hear how she does at the show.

Well pretty Butterscotch was first place pullet in a class of 3; desertmarcy owns the 2nd place girl and I had the 3rd. My pullets weigh a lot less than Cindy's and we have talked about what might be the problem since these birds are all out of the same genetics. Of the cockerels my two placed 1st & 3rd. desertmarcy's had much darker buff color but was a little smaller than my two.

One thing I have noticed this past week is that the two cockerels have been pecking pullets on the head when they get to close to the boys food. I will be drastically thinning out some of my other stock next weekend and rearranging birds so I can separate the cockerels. Oh and Butterscotch got to come home with me and join her hatchmates here.

 

[uphilljill]

It's been a while (September) since I've posted an update on the 3 cockerels I have growing out. I've been patiently waiting, waiting, waiting on the 2 HBR boys and they're finally starting to show some more development. I'll post each one seperately below as these may be longish posts (with photos) and I'l try to give my thoughts for each to see if I'm on the right track trying to learn all that you guys have been sharing here. I think I am close to choosing the one to move forward with. Feedback appreciated. Thanks again!!!

I posted some photos of HBR cockerel #8 (post #330) at 16.5 weeks old. If I recall, there was some discussion about his wing being high and/or split back then. Here he is today at 29 weeks:








His chest still needs a bit of filling out (that hopefully? will come with time) but his wing has improved dramatically. I'd also like to see a bit more width thru the tail, but right now he's my number 1.

 

[uphilljill]

#7 (16.5 week old pics in post #343) is my other HBR also 29 weeks old:







He's my slowest grower. Glacial. Best barring of the three and while his wing may eventually fill in like #8's did, he also appears to me to be a bit knock-kneed and wry tailed. Not sure if it's worth the wait.

 

[uphilljill]

And finally, #5 (16.5 week old pics in post #345,) not H but also 29 weeks old:






Not being H, this guy was the fastest feathering/filling out cockerel, but is also the smallest (he was my runt chick.) No surprise he has the poorest barring. While he's fuller in the chest and neck at this stage, he also seems a bit short in the leg & back to me. Definitely a "rounder" type of bird compared to the 2 HBRs.

 

[uphilljill]

The pullet. I only had one hatch. I believe she was one of Fred's F1's, so she was pretty fast to feather in and lay, has good type, but barring could use improvement. My breeding plan was to follow Fred's lead and cross the F1 pullet back to a HBR (probably #8) in the hopes of improving barring and maybe find a balance between the two growth rates.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Those F1'a? Don't they have those nice yellow legs and type type type and the vigor to boot.

Yes, another pass or two back under one of your cockerel's from Jeremy (I believe) and you'll have something really good going. She's 1/2 XW Poultry Ranch herself, so this is a really good matchup. She's gorgeous, btw.

From what we can see only in photos, that #8 male is a stud.

I would not use that messed up guy. He's got the knock knees and wry tail as you mentioned. He's also too slow. Your word "glacial" is a good word. Just cannot keep pushing them slower and slower, in my mind.

I'm so happy for you.

 

[uphilljill]

It's really amazing how much these HBR can change and how patient you have to be. Thanks again, Fred. Really excited to see what spring brings chick-wise.

 

[kwMississippi]

Found all of these birds at the post office this morning.