The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Chicken Ducks]

Are these two purebreds?

If they had yellow legs, would they be show quality?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Are these two purebreds?

If they had yellow legs, would they be show quality?

Well, they look healthy. You've cared for them well.

Rocks bred to the standard cannot be purchased at rural lifestyle stores, feed stores, swaps, etc. The only real way to get standard bred Rocks is to get them from someone who carefully breeds them. It's a safe bet that these two birds did not come from a reputable breeder of Barred Rocks.

I've seen good Australian Barred Rocks, but these birds are not. They're scrubs. Hopefully they'll lay you lots of nice eggs.

 

[uphilljill]

Reasonable.  However, first we have to grow out these chicks and see what we have.  Would you have access to another male in the GS/XW and would this add anything to what you're doing, even if you did?  

You might rather see how this young male finishes after his moult that's coming.  You can/could also watch your large crop of male chicks and see what comes of all them.  Pondering is always good.  There's plenty enough time to see how this year finishes up and make the evaluations.  There's an awful lot unknowns at this juncture, at least for me.

Thanks for the reminder slow & steady

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Good morning all

Here is a 2013 hatched hen. Several things about her I would like to improve; a tad more lift to the tail, clean up mossiness in her back, a little tighter feathered, improve the yellow in hte legs. Overall, I like her very much. She has filled out considerably since the Fall and she was NOT one I selected for the breeding pens this yr (BIG MISTAKE).....she'll be around for next yr though

 

[racertomtom]

Good morning all

Here is a 2013 hatched hen. Several things about her I would like to improve; a tad more lift to the tail, clean up mossiness in her back, a little tighter feathered, improve the yellow in hte legs. Overall, I like her very much. She has filled out considerably since the Fall and she was NOT one I selected for the breeding pens this yr (BIG MISTAKE).....she'll be around for next yr though

I’ve backed up a year more than once when I saw what the cocks and hens looked like as opposed to the same batch of cockerels and pullets.

That might be the best Columbian I’ve seen. I particularly like the wide and long back. That bird is what I consider moderately long. If the bird had yellow legs as a pullet I wouldn’t hold it against her as a hen. The tail angle isn’t bad, above horizontal, but a standard 20 degrees would be better IMO. She’s taking a step in both pictures but I think I like the breast.

Wide and long back, breast, meaty thighs and shanks = good Plymouth Rock = good dual purpose fowl.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

I’ve backed up a year more than once when I saw what the cocks and hens looked like as opposed to the same batch of cockerels and pullets.

That might be the best Columbian I’ve seen. I particularly like the wide and long back. That bird is what I consider moderately long. If the bird had yellow legs as a pullet I wouldn’t hold it against her as a hen. The tail angle isn’t bad, above horizontal, but a standard 20 degrees would be better IMO. She’s taking a step in both pictures but I think I like the breast.

Wide and long back, breast, meaty thighs and shanks = good Plymouth Rock = good dual purpose fowl.

Thanks Tom!!

She does have a nice front end. Maybe the makings of a very small cushion, not certain. Will be watching feather quality for sure on her offspring so as to avoid that issue going forward. Just wished I'd noticed her before 2014 breeding season....oh well

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Please critique my 3 month old Silver Penciled Rock cockerel if you can. I had three cockerels and one had far more white on him but since its doubtful I'll concentrate on this breed I sold the other two. I kept him because I love his temprament and personality (the reason from an expert breeder NOT, LOL)! His one hen is lovely. I like many newbies bit off more than I could chew--I now have narrowed down to two breeds--the Barred and White Rocks.

It is very difficult to get decent pictures of the birds as you all know. I'm trying to get a picture of Fred, my two month old Barred Rock. I have 4 other BR from Jeremy XW at a month old now--hope a few females!

 

[chicken pickin]

Hi all,

I recently hatch a few eggs from uphilljill who was nice enough to send me an assortment of eggs as a contest prize. I ended up hatching 1 pure heritage Barred Plymouth rock. I know Barred rocks are sexable but this is the first heritage and non hatchery barred rock I have. Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, the heritage ones are definitely NOT as easy as hatchery stock. I can sex a BR easily most of the time, at least until I had the Stukel line. I'd still say yours was a cockerel at this point, but you'll have to wait and see a couple more weeks. The comb will tell you pretty soon, if nothing else, if it's male.

From this photo, the scattered head spot says male:

 

[chicken pickin]

Thank you for replying so quickly. This chick is nearing 3weeks old. Im sure I will be able to tell in the next 2-3weeks.

As with most people I am hoping for a pullet since I have no space for an extra cockerel of this breed. One day I would love to have a small flock of these to replace my hatchery layer flock with.