The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Fred's Hens]

Well, you do need at least one to make more, you know.

LOL

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Hey Fred, 7 of the 14 barred rock eggs from you are developing nicely. Shipped to Washington State, I consider it real good, 50%. If I get 4 I'll be tickled! I've bought so many shipped eggs this year and have been averaging 20-30%!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Hey Fred, 7 of the 14 barred rock eggs from you are developing nicely. Shipped to Washington State, I consider it real good, 50%. If I get 4 I'll be tickled! I've bought so many shipped eggs this year and have been averaging 20-30%!

You better believe you'll be happy if you get 4 and thrilled beyond words if you got 6.

If anything? The reports coming back suggests the PO is harder than ever on these shipments. To be honest with all the folks out there? I'm so unsettled about it all that I'm re-considering everything for next year. Shipped chicks are higher than a kite to mail and the word is that the PO wants nothing to do with shipping poultry in the upcoming years.

Folks need to consider local sources for this fancy. I don't see things getting easier in the future, as poultry regulations increase and shippers refuse to handle. Just sayin'.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: Yes, I am re-establishing my flock as I had a hissy fit thawing water everyday in December--gave all my BYC private breeder stock to a good friend of mine who breeds in Spokane. I was sorry as heck after 2 weeks so started in February incubating. I gave him under a year old birds, M and Fem of each breed--Cream Legbars, Wade/Jean FBC Marans, and Wynettes jersey Giants (although these went to my son). I've spent close to $500 to re-establish and it ain't over yet, I'm getting some of Wynette's eggs again and have 8 of Walt'z Ark Light Sussex coming soon. Then on to a little more building.

I know I could have just got a water thawer, I had a large plastic electric waterer but it was pure junk. Next year I'm getting the metal base things and I'm keeping my birds--the PO is a nightmare. Anyhoot Fred, I'm shooting for 4-5! Yeah! I got 4 of Dick Horstman's Silver Penciled Rocks in the brooder-doing well, 5 days old. I have about 6 of Yard full of Rock's Columbian Plymouth Rocks that look like they may make it into lockdown next week. Oh me, oh my! I love Rocks and Jersey's (Wynette's) the best!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Kathy, I'm betting you'll never start over again. LOL

Most of the regulars readers on this thread know how often I discuss the Co-Op idea; having reasonably nearby partners among whom share the burden of a breed. Three folks working in concert can put the needed number of chicks on the ground for breed advancement. No one person needs to figure a way to hatch/brood/grow and feed a ginormous number of juveniles. No single person is burdened with holding 4 or 5 cockbirds.

An added benefit is security. No single predator threat can wipe out the strain. Finally, having two or three buddies who can encourage each other? Really nice.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Kathy, I'm betting you'll never start over again. LOL

Most of the regulars readers on this thread know how often I discuss the Co-Op idea; having reasonably nearby partners among whom share the burden of a breed. Three folks working in concert can put the needed number of chicks on the ground for breed advancement. No one person needs to figure a way to hatch/brood/grow and feed a ginormous number of juveniles. No single person is burdened with holding 4 or 5 cockbirds.

An added benefit is security. No single predator threat can wipe out the strain. Finally, having two or three buddies who can encourage each other? Really nice.

Agreed x2--never start over and get a buddy system going. There is an Eastern Washington Thread and a few good quality breeders. I might try to organize such a thing as I'm already having nightmares about a Roo Bachelor Pad"

Another thing--I spent so much to get the top breeders eggs I ordered vaccinations. I ordered:
Marek's MD Vac CFL
Newcastle-Broncitis NCL B1
Chick N Pox TC
Coccivac-D

Of course Mareks first and the others spaced out later. It cost me 145 dollars for these but I want to protect the best I can. I've had chickens for 10 years, tons of them and have only lost a handful--Cocci.

Do you think the vaccinations are overkill?

I'm a firm believer for the following chicken animal husbandry:

Good Nutrition and Clean Drinking Water
Sanitary Conditions overall in coop and environs
No overcrowding
Low stress

 

[speckledhen]

I guess that really depends on what is rampant in your area of the country. I have never vaccinated my birds for anything and don't plan to start, not even Mareks.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Agreed x2--never start over and get a buddy system going. There is an Eastern Washington Thread and a few good quality breeders. I might try to organize such a thing as I'm already having nightmares about a Roo Bachelor Pad"

Another thing--I spent so much to get the top breeders eggs I ordered vaccinations. I ordered:
Marek's MD Vac CFL
Newcastle-Broncitis NCL B1
Chick N Pox TC
Coccivac-D

Of course Mareks first and the others spaced out later. It cost me 145 dollars for these but I want to protect the best I can. I've had chickens for 10 years, tons of them and have only lost a handful--Cocci.

Do you think the vaccinations are overkill?

I'm a firm believer for the following chicken animal husbandry:

Good Nutrition and Clean Drinking Water
Sanitary Conditions overall in coop and environs
No overcrowding
Low stress

Kathy, I know this was in reply to Fred, but I'll jump in if you don't mind

First, glad your eggs are developing although I'm a bit disappointed that its only 6. As for vaccinations I do not vaccinate at ALL. Survival of the fittest reigns supreme here....I try to breed for resistant as opposed to vaccination

Now, I do fight cocci here as well and that tends to cause me the most issues with an occasional bout of fowl pox (from mosquitos)....on the cocci, I've learn that I MUST put Corid in the waterers of the chicks as soon as I put them on dirt. Not needed (here) in the brooder, but they do on the dirt. I treat for 5 days ONLY then back to straight water. I've not lost a bird to cocci in 3 yrs using this method

Hope that is of some help

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: Scott, I thank you so much! I, too, have never vaccinated before. I just kept Corid on hand, that's all. I agree with you and thought after I ordered this stuff I may have gone way overboard especially considering I've only lost 5 or 6 nirds out of tons. I wonder about Mareks--I would so hate to lose my entire flock to this. I focus a lot on nutrition. I wonder if it's too late to cancel. I've never had any disease or illness except the Cocci and once 2 roos fought to the death, awful.

I am more than pleased 6 are cooking well Scott--I have bought BYC breeders eggs for 3 yrs now--I'm a hatching addict, I get anywhere from 0%-50% Yours are about 48%. Shipping is so hard on the eggs--please don't be disappointed!

 

[tigercreek]

Kathy, I know this was in reply to Fred, but I'll jump in if you don't mind

First, glad your eggs are developing although I'm a bit disappointed that its only 6. As for vaccinations I do not vaccinate at ALL. Survival of the fittest reigns supreme here....I try to breed for resistant as opposed to vaccination

Now, I do fight cocci here as well and that tends to cause me the most issues with an occasional bout of fowl pox (from mosquitos)....on the cocci, I've learn that I MUST put Corid in the waterers of the chicks as soon as I put them on dirt. Not needed (here) in the brooder, but they do on the dirt. I treat for 5 days ONLY then back to straight water. I've not lost a bird to cocci in 3 yrs using this method

Hope that is of some help

Sounds like you don't feed medicated feed ??? Or is the Corrid in the water in addition to medicated feed??