The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Beekissed]

For all of you that currently breed the barred and also the white rocks which one would you say produces a better eating carcass.

We eat about 200 chickens a year between the family and our 3 dogs. We will have to butcher 50 birds or so every 3 months.

So assuming a 50/50 hatch ratio we will have to hatch at least 400 birds a year. We want to keep at least 100 layers most of the time for eggs and stewing hens once they stop laying.

We are in fl zone 9b so can hatch out most of the year. I know at first it will take time to build out the size flock we want but want to do it right.

White Rocks are the best choice. IMO, they are the only true DP bird out there...excellent laying, longevity of lay, most dense and heavy meat carcass of any DP bird I've ever known. They are no slower to mature than any other DP bird and they yield more meat for the feed, as they have an excellent feed ratio...mine eat less than the other breeds I've had but lay more and put on heavier muscle.

 

[aoxa]

Lefty

If you are planning a flock that can sustain your family with both meat and eggs, unfortunately, I'd be looking at a breed other than Rocks. SLOW to mature, slow to reach POL. Just my opinion.

I completely agree.

The Buckeyes are the best dual purpose bird I've raised for meat and eggs. Other than that, I suggest the CX. You cannot beat their food/meat conversion ratio.

 

[Fentress]

I do believe that a new class of breeders will emerge who will take standard bred poultry and restore their former production values. I know that there are some productive lines out there, but ease of access and quality assurance is an issue. The exhibition community should really suppport the sustainablity community, because you have an overlap of interests and the exhibition community seems to be the repository of breeding knowledge/skills, at least for the near future.

 

[aoxa]

I do believe that a new class of breeders will emerge who will take standard bred poultry and restore their former production values. I know that there are some productive lines out there, but ease of access and quality assurance is an issue. The exhibition community should really suppport the sustainablity community, because you have an overlap of interests and the exhibition community seems to be the repository of breeding knowledge/skills, at least for the near future.

You can use them for meat, but they take at least 18 weeks to get there.

Fred uses a lot of his males for meat. Maybe he can give light as to what age he finds they are a good size.

I have yet to raise any dual purpose bird that had a large amount of meat before 16 weeks.

 

[Fentress]

grow out is an issue, but I think for me it is more important for POL than for processing cockerels. My BR did not start to fill out till 16 weeks, but the genes have kicked in now! I'm will probably process at 26-28 weeks. I like the Duckworth birds that I got this year, so different than the hatchery birds, so huge and wide. Just going to try and have some patience and keep an open mind. I hope POL is not too far beyond 26 weeks.

 

[lefty26]

Beekissed I have been doing a lot of research toward the white rocks lately and it seems for what I want to do they fit the bill a little better than the birds. But feeling a bird in person is a whole other story. I have never handled any of the whites so all I have to compare is other people's experiences.

 

[weavers rocks]

here is a pullet that just turned 16 weeks old . She weighs five and a half to six lbs.

 

[lefty26]

I have a lead on a pair of ken weavers birds 18 month old but I have to find somebody coming from up north down south to fl.

 

[aoxa]

here is a pullet that just turned 16 weeks old . She weighs five and a half to six lbs.

I find my girls grow faster than my boys. Is that unusual? My boys are quite lanky until 18 weeks. They fill in very nice at 6 months.

Anyway.. I still would much rather have something ready by 12 weeks before the hormones start going. I like very tender chicken that I can bake for a couple hours rather than slow roast. I grew up without having the tough roosters many people here have grown up on. I have a hard time with tough and chewy, and what would be tough and chewy to me, would probably not be to many of you guys

 

[Fentress]

I find my girls grow faster than my boys. Is that unusual? My boys are quite lanky until 18 weeks. They fill in very nice at 6 months.

Anyway.. I still would much rather have something ready by 12 weeks before the hormones start going. I like very tender chicken that I can bake for a couple hours rather than slow roast. I grew up without having the tough roosters many people here have grown up on. I have a hard time with tough and chewy, and what would be tough and chewy to me, would probably not be to many of you guys

What chickens did you grow up with? From the folks in my parents generation, who grew up in the country, they all have said they process the fryers at 12 weeks. That was the rule! A hatchery bird will not have any meat on it at 12 weeks or at 16 or 20. Just does not have the genes for it. Too bad. The BR I have now can't be processed at 12 either, but at least they do fill out eventually.