The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Yard full o' rocks]

Ok, here are the first chix of 2014. After church, one of the 6 had "passed" and a second one looks very weak and is still in the hatcher

These 4 come from 2 breeding pens

The one in the foreground (somewhat alone) is from my "Bigfoot" hen covered by Jack, the sire of 2013 hatches (this is a control breeding to mimic last yr results)

The other 3 (grouped together) are from pullet #23 and Jack. The pullet is one of Jack's daughters from last yr. She has a slightly high tail, hoping to improve male tails from her and also improve the female lacing from the color carried by the sire

 

[Fred's Hens]

Colberg

I've been studying those photos. The tails are outstanding, virtually across the board. These are tails most Rock breeders would love on their birds. The other strength of that line of Whites is most of the birds have, or will have, great breasts, nice and round and full. Although, there is a cockerel with a notch breast that would disqualify him, in my pens. Since you have at least two, perhaps three Ks that are so much better, there'd be no point at all in using that notchy male, but that's just me.

Study your birds, males and females for knock knee tendencies. Camera shots sometimes make that look appear to be present when it isn't there, but sometimes it IS present. Cull for that.

Related to the knock knee issue is the narrow leg spacing issue. If I didn't focus on that this year, next year, I'd pick through the 80 chicks and that would be mission critical. I'd only choose birds that I could easily pass my fist, in the overhand right punch position, between their legs.

Combs are such a small point gig that I'd not get all hot and bothered by combs, but some of the males are much better than others. I can see there was a good breeze during the photo shoot, but most Rocks, including my own, would benefit greatly from tighter feathering. Too loose of feathering and the birds take on the dreaded Orpington look.

You have got some great, great birds with which to get started. Simply gorgeous. Enjoy your birds!!!

 

[desertmarcy]

Point is to simulate "actual daylight"....slowly increasing the # of hours of actual daylight is what occurs in the Spring time

Yes, I understand, but it is not necessary to do that.

 

[Fred's Hens]

my goals this year. as i am new to rocks. is i will be obtaining stock from 2 places. xw poultry/ jeremy w. and another source. then i will watch these chicks for breeders for next year. we will see. meanwhile being i have no rocks. i will be working on the barnevelder.

Bruce, we are very delighted to have you join the Rock breeders group. The Barred Rocks are such wonderful birds and love to go out and work all day foraging. I think you'll also appreciate how well they lay for being good meat birds and some of them, will be stunning in appearance.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

OK, here we go. Starting with K's

K1 toe punch: Left Inside weight: 9.8lbs










K2: toe punch: Right Outside Weight: 9.0lbs












K3: Toe Punch: Right Inside Weight: 9.6lbs Note: He was leaning forward and knock kneed the whole time he was in the cage. When out of it, he stood normal, but was still slightly knock kneed.














K4: Toe Punch: Left Outside Weight: 9.2lbs

Colburg

In the group of Ks, I'd consider using K2 and K4

K1 has a very flat tail (no lift), K3 has a funny break in his tail

Like Fred said, watch for those knock-knees and if they are truly there, cull 'em

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Now for some P's. I believe the only rule for pairs right now is the toe punches can't match.

P1: Toe Punch: Left Outside Weight: 5.8lbs











P2: Toe Punch: Right Outside Weight: 7.2lbs













P3: Toe Punch: Right Inside Weight: 7.2lbs










P4: Toe Punch: Right Inside Weight: 6.4lbs

I see nothing glaringly wrong with any of these Ps.

I think (if they were mine), I'd run K2 over all 4 of these girls....give them a rest and then run K4 over all 4 of them as well. If you can, mate them individually and toe punch accordingly

I wouldn't worry too much about the relation between them

 

[jermoatc]

Hello. I just stumbled onto this thread. I have been raising hatchery birds for about 3 years now and I am getting ready to take the next step forward in my new chicken addiction. I would like to begin breeding Plymouth Rocks and Speckled Sussex. I don't have room to run a ton of birds so what would be the best way to start a breeding program for two breeds with say less than 20 birds? Any details about pen numbers, size, roo to hen ratios, really anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[colburg]

Colberg

I've been studying those photos. The tails are outstanding, virtually across the board. These are tails most Rock breeders would love on their birds. The other strength of that line of Whites is most of the birds have, or will have, great breasts, nice and round and full. Although, there is a cockerel with a notch breast that would disqualify him, in my pens. Since you have at least two, perhaps three Ks that are so much better, there'd be no point at all in using that notchy male, but that's just me.

Fred, Thanks for getting back so soon. Could you explain notch breast? I looked through the standard and it's not listed in the defects and DQ's section and I don't remember reading about it on BYC. Oh wait, I see DQ him in your pens, not the show floor so that's why it's not in the SOP.

colburg

 

[DMRippy]

Hello. I just stumbled onto this thread. I have been raising hatchery birds for about 3 years now and I am getting ready to take the next step forward in my new chicken addiction. I would like to begin breeding Plymouth Rocks and Speckled Sussex. I don't have room to run a ton of birds so what would be the best way to start a breeding program for two breeds with say less than 20 birds? Any details about pen numbers, size, roo to hen ratios, really anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

That would just depend on your goals. 10 birds of each breed with 5 in each pen would be a huge start. I don't keep that many of each breed. Only about 5-6 of each breed. Most of my breeds just have one pen but 2 would be good so you could cross pullets from one line over to the other and the same with roos if needed. Hatch as many as you can stand and pick only the BEST for next years breeders.

Learn everything you can about the breeds, get an SOP and STUDY it..... regularly!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Breasts.

The Rock Standard calls for a breast "Broad, moderately deep and well rounded".

This good Rock breast shows up on the well bred pullet long before the males have time to fill out to their cockbird selves. Virtually all of the pullets shown look marvelous in their front ends. Nice. A cockerel cannot be judged too early, as he's not done filling out at 10 months. Many of the males "finish" at 12 and even at 14 months. You suddenly see a big ol' breast on them they didn't have as a juvie.



This is the male the gives the appearance of hatchet on the bottom line in front. It's not uncommon. He's not as balanced as your other males. Will this cockerel finish well? Hmmmmm…

Now let's look at this one, for example.



I'm guessing (cause I may have missed you stating the age) him to be 10-11 months? If so, I'm quite sure this one is going to finish wonderfully. His front is good, but I gotta believe it's going be even better in a couple more months.


So, there ya go. Judging birds by photos? Impossible. You got to pick up these cockerels and put hands on them. It's the only honest way to judge them. But just from what I can see? This guy would have what I'd be looking for when judging a cockerel's breast development, at this age. $.02