The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Chicken Ducks]

This bird has a humped back and a pinched tail. Should be heading toward a date with noodles or dumplings very soon.

He was running when I took photos. Would that explain the hump? What is pinched tail? He is 16 weeks btw

 

[Findtex]

He was running when I took photos. Would that explain the hump? What is pinched tail?

He is 16 weeks btw

Read the standards

 

[aoxa]

Read the standards

If you don't have the standard, this online e-book (free) is wonderful: https://archive.org/stream/plymouthrockstan00amer#page/n3/mode/2up

Also.. .Has the standard for the Plymouth Rock changed in over 100 years? Curious.. Is it the same as when the breed was developed or is it a bit different?

 

[Findtex]

If you don't have the standard, this online e-book (free) is wonderful: https://archive.org/stream/plymouthrockstan00amer#page/n3/mode/2up

Also.. .Has the standard for the Plymouth Rock changed in over 100 years? Curious.. Is it the same as when the breed was developed or is it a bit different?

Interesting point re change in standards, this came up at our national show this year, I am no expert but the talk was that the standards have change a lot in the US over the years, I would like to hear your views(??????????)

 

[Fred's Hens]

The Standard has changed relatively little, actually.

A tweak here, a bit there, but the breed is the breed.

Whenever people do not understand "pinched" tail or other issues, it simply means that must read and re-read the Standard. In the American Standard of Perfection, 2010 edition, all these faults and features are reviewed, irrespective of breed, in the in the first 40 pages. There is a section with great photos and/or graphics for heads, combs, back width, tail width, breast and keel development, knock kneed, and the rest.

 

[aoxa]

The Standard has changed relatively little, actually.

A tweak here, a bit there, but the breed is the breed.

Whenever people do not understand "pinched" tail or other issues, it simply means that must read and re-read the Standard. In the American Standard of Perfection, 2010 edition, all these faults and features are reviewed, irrespective of breed, in the in the first 40 pages. There is a section with great photos and/or graphics for heads, combs, back width, tail width, breast and keel development, knock kneed, and the rest.

All those faults are in this free e-book too.. The standard is really expensive, and takes weeks to be mailed to you. But I'm sure google would be useful for pictures of pinched tail and all that stuff as well. I just don't want to post any copyright material here.

ETA: I have the standard, the 2010 version. Somewhere in this house I have it...

 

[Fred's Hens]

The old book, on line, is circa 1915 and it fine to whet your whistle. But...

If anyone is genuinely serious about breeding? Having, reading, studying and referring to the Standard is the benchmark of that commitment.

 

[aoxa]

The old book, on line, is circa 1915 and it fine to whet your whistle. But...

If anyone is genuinely serious about breeding? Having, reading, studying and referring to the Standard is the benchmark of that commitment.

 

[Fred's Hens]

All Standards since are copyrighted and the Standard is the major fund raiser for the American Poultry Association. There are less expensive versions available, including a ring binder version. These texts are worth every penny. Just to note a few changes in the Barred Rock standard over the century that passed.

I noted two important changes to the Standard. The tail angles have been lowered a bit on the males and females (approx 10 degrees of lowering). Also, the percentage of barring, black to white ratio.

Edited to add: The white bars used to be somewhat larger percentage at the dawn of the breed. Now, for the females, 60% black to 40% white. On males 50/50.


The way Rocks appear has not changed as dramatically as other breeds, to my eye. The Rocks of E.B. Thompson's era are not as dramatically different to a Rock of today as the changes in the appearance in the Rhode Island Red appearance, to my eye anyhow.

Folks in Australia need to remember that while you all have two varieties of Barred Rocks, light and dark; North America only has one.

 

[LindaB220]

If you don't have the standard, this online e-book (free) is wonderful: https://archive.org/stream/plymouthrockstan00amer#page/n3/mode/2up

Also.. .Has the standard for the Plymouth Rock changed in over 100 years? Curious.. Is it the same as when the breed was developed or is it a bit different?

Once again, you have found me a great book. Thanks so much. I do have a question though. I have one Blosi pullet and three Jwip pullets and a cockerel. I just bought them and they are almost six months old. I do tend to like the Blosi best and my question is do I contact the original seller for eggs that are Blosi or try to mix the strains. With the winter coming I'll be lucky to even get them laying by March. I'm in La so it won't be so cold but it's gonna be a brutal winter.