The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Sweetpea3829]

What else can you see in your cock? Here's a hint, look at his wings, his feathering, there are 2 things for now....what do you see different in the two things between the two birds?

On the wings, my bird's wing is angled more downward. I wasn't sure if that was because he's been clipped though.

On the feathering, aside from the fact that my bird's barring is not consistent and is very light compared to the other bird (too much white and the spacing is too wide), I also see that the saddle feathers on my bird do not look anything like the saddle feathers on the other bird, which seem to sweep down over his back.

And also, my bird's back doesn't seem as long and flat as the other bird's...which might be because his saddle feathers don't drape.

 

[Beekissed]

Got sent a king among birds from Ken Weaver, via the facilitating of Fred, and wanted to post his pics here. I have officially entered the big time and have these golden-hearted guys to thank for it. There really are no words to explain the gratitude and overwhelming humbleness I feel in the face of such kindness...and when I'M speechless, you know it's something big.

He had a bit of a scuffle when he got to the green~hence the bloody wattles~ but his superior quality of size, weight and just plain ol' attitude of taking care of business left him the victor and to the victor goes the spoils...he won the flock. After being shipped overnight in the mail, riding all over town and 20 miles home in the back of a truck, no water or food...he steps out in WV like he's the governor, didn't act a bit scared or frazzled, kicked some tail, spit out the blood, drank some water, ate some feed, foraged and then bred with the best hen in the flock in his first breeding.

I was able to handle him without him struggling or showing any fear or fight whatsoever. He wasn't scared or shy of the dog or cat or us humans while he was on the ground...acted like he owned the place! He went to the roost tonight and started cooing to the girls as soon as he got there...what a bird! I've never seen one like him in my life and I'm glad I did before I die, because he's royalty, pure and simple.

Throughout it all he was calm, cool and collected and went through this day like a boss. I present to you, Weaver...aka The Rock....11 mo. cockerel out of Weaver's line.

 

[LindaB220]

LOL, I can totally see this quote. Its easy to be enthusiastic at the beginning...not so easy to see it through. Getting it right is hard, and time consuming. My enthusiasm and interest waxes and wanes with my free time. Right now, four homeschooled kiddos are my priority. But, I do like keeping chickens so far, and would like to learn a little bit as I go.

Eventually, I'd like to get into breeding BCMs to standard, but for now, I'm just learning.

I've downloaded the recommended book and will give it a read! I can tell right off the bat that my rooster has some differences from the one you posted. Especially in that tail, lol.

Hey Sweetpea, I'm a newbie too. It take years to get the right everything on your bird. They suggest that you start with white. It's easier. So I'm going with White Rocks. Have fun with it. Make it a learning experience along with your kiddos. They can be so enriched.

 

[mithious]

On the wings, my bird's wing is angled more downward. I wasn't sure if that was because he's been clipped though.

On the feathering, aside from the fact that my bird's barring is not consistent and is very light compared to the other bird (too much white and the spacing is too wide), I also see that the saddle feathers on my bird do not look anything like the saddle feathers on the other bird, which seem to sweep down over his back.

And also, my bird's back doesn't seem as long and flat as the other bird's...which might be because his saddle feathers don't drape.

Very good

clipping shouldn't cause him to hold his wings down, that is what is called his "type" what his body is naturally like. See how close the other cock has his feathering? Nice and tight to his body, wings held up? Your cock's feathering is quite fluffy instead and holds his wings too low.

Good eye on the barring too, yes your cock has wide barring. The saddle feathers are fluffy, that is why they don't seem to sweep down over his body. You are doing a great job of seeing the two birds.

Type again on the tail, your cock's tail is too high, almost straight up, compared to the length of the other cocks back to tail and length of back to tail. Does that make sense?

Ok, look how your cock stands compared to the other one...legs. Can you see it?

Saddle feathering. Feathering is a different issue than body type.

For instance, once you have the body type, then you can pick an issue to work on, in the next generation, take feathering for example. You really did a good job on seeing quite a few of the differences between the two.

Some people will try to work on two issues in a generation. My dad had me work on just one. First type. That is the hardest. Once you have the right body type, the other issues are much easier to fix. What I did, as a kid, was post a pic of the BR on my wall and stare at it. Then Dad had me go out in my breeding yard and look at my birds. I learned to have an eye for what was right and what was wrong with each bird.( The birds faults ) I developed my eye for seeing what my birds needed for improvement that way and it really worked. I did this with my own kids when they started breeding and showing. It's great for your kids to get involved too. It can be part of their home schooling too. It covers so many topics, you wouldn't believe how many LOL

I know there is lots and lots of language now, that can seem daunting, but as you study, especially keep looking at the Standard pic, than yours, you will pick up more and more faults, as you simply look at the pic of the Standard compared to yours. Once you can pick out all the faults, then it's time to move to the next step. You did great

Keep looking!

 

[mithious]

Also, if you really want to get into breeding, you really need to start with good stock. Get away from the hatcheries and research the good breeders of the breed you want to work with.

Even if you don't get chicks from their best birds, the genetics will be there. In the birds you buy. Another plus is, if you get your kids involved for their home schooling, you will learn as they do.

I would recommend starting with one breed, like you mentioned. Find a good breeder of that breed. Try to find one you can drive to and pick them up. Shipping is hard on any bird. Sometimes you have to ship them. Read tons on that breed. Buy a APA ( American Poultry Association ) SOP ( Standard of Perfection) call it a text book? for home schooling?

Get a picture of an SOP bird of the breed you want to breed and put it up for all of you, if you are going to go the schooling route...I did

Then the real work begins but the first thing, is to develop that eye for what the bird is supposed to look like and be able to find the faults.

 

[mithious]

The reason for developing an eye for what is right, is you are going to have to pick your best birds to breed to each other. Than you will have to hatch and pick from those, your best. ( closest to the SOP )

The hardest part, for kids especially, is the culling. In order to get those good birds that are closest to the Standard, you have to hatch quite a few chicks and pick from them, the best and cull the rest. Some are kept for layers, some for meat, some for the stew pot, as you will be culling all ages. That is the hardest when first getting into breeding.

Lots of the older breeders did do some writing on breeding and different breeding plans and methods. There are many. I don't recommend flock breeding, as that is what the hatcheries do and they end up with mutts very quickly. It takes many generations to bring them back. But there are many different ways to breed that will bring success.

I do hope you keep it up. You did a lot better than quite a few people I have talked with, over my lifetime, on your first try, that never ended up breeding.

Best of luck to you and keep asking if you need help. Maybe start a thread on new breeders that need help learning?

Oh, do they still allow for taxes on the text books, "equipment" er birds, buildings, ect and so on? Like I said, it's a great teaching tool that is fun for the whole family and the kids love showing. ( a field trip?

)

 

[Sweetpea3829]

Thanks so much. Little bit at a time for me...lol. I really want to get into the BCMs, and someday probably will. But I want to make sure I do it correctly and can enhance that particular breed...and right now, I don't have the time to dedicate to it. So in the meantime, I will learn what I can with what I have.

I have six BCM eggs in my incubator...they'll just be backyard flock birds...but with them, I can learn a bit, especially the terminology.

Couldn't find them local to save my life, though...had them shipped from a fellow BYCer. And THEN I found local sources, lol.

 

[Sweetpea3829]

The reason for developing an eye for what is right, is you are going to have to pick your best birds to breed to each other. Than you will have to hatch and pick from those, your best. ( closest to the SOP )

The hardest part, for kids especially, is the culling. In order to get those good birds that are closest to the Standard, you have to hatch quite a few chicks and pick from them, the best and cull the rest. Some are kept for layers, some for meat, some for the stew pot, as you will be culling all ages. That is the hardest when first getting into breeding.

Lots of the older breeders did do some writing on breeding and different breeding plans and methods. There are many. I don't recommend flock breeding, as that is what the hatcheries do and they end up with mutts very quickly. It takes many generations to bring them back. But there are many different ways to breed that will bring success.

I do hope you keep it up. You did a lot better than quite a few people I have talked with, over my lifetime, on your first try, that never ended up breeding.

Best of luck to you and keep asking if you need help. Maybe start a thread on new breeders that need help learning?

Oh, do they still allow for taxes on the text books, "equipment" er birds, buildings, ect and so on? Like I said, it's a great teaching tool that is fun for the whole family and the kids love showing. ( a field trip?

)

You mean tax breaks? Gosh, I wish they did. But then again, the more you take from the government, the more interference/regulation you can expect to have from them. Still, it would be nice to have extra cash for supplies, lol. I think it was Ron Paul that wanted to give homeschooling families a stipend of some sort. That would have been fantastic.

Anyways, thanks again for your help! I'll float in and out as time permits. Tomorrow I will try and get a picture of my hen and post it. I *think* her barring is more consistent. She's darker anyways.

 

[mithious]

Thanks so much. Little bit at a time for me...lol. I really want to get into the BCMs, and someday probably will. But I want to make sure I do it correctly and can enhance that particular breed...and right now, I don't have the time to dedicate to it. So in the meantime, I will learn what I can with what I have.

I have six BCM eggs in my incubator...they'll just be backyard flock birds...but with them, I can learn a bit, especially the terminology.

Couldn't find them local to save my life, though...had them shipped from a fellow BYCer. And THEN I found local sources, lol.

Well you did well and you are young, so have plenty of time, me not so much

Yeah, that terminology can seem daunting.

Isn't that how it works? Although you probably did better with a fellow BYCer than a random person. Have fun with it all and good luck with your hatch

 

[mithious]

You mean tax breaks? Gosh, I wish they did. But then again, the more you take from the government, the more interference/regulation you can expect to have from them. Still, it would be nice to have extra cash for supplies, lol. I think it was Ron Paul that wanted to give homeschooling families a stipend of some sort. That would have been fantastic.

Anyways, thanks again for your help! I'll float in and out as time permits. Tomorrow I will try and get a picture of my hen and post it. I *think* her barring is more consistent. She's darker anyways.

Ahhh that's too bad. They used to let us pick our curriculum and we could add things and deduct. Headed to bed here, wayyy past my bedtime. You are very welcome! Any time! Hope they get that stipend for you all!