The Plymouth Rock Breeders thread

[Fentress]

That BR hen (blue#25) I'm holding over? Any cockerel coming after her when he's only 9 months of age better bring his "A" game or she's gonna whip his behind and hand it back to him. No way I'm penning her with a cockerel until he's got his act together. Just sayin'

I appreciate this discussion. My best K's by far, are from late hatches. Not sure why, they all came from the same mating. I will need to use one of the K's next spring, in addition to a cock that I will over winter. So, it appears that the only issue is the K's behavior and ability to get the job done. Would some hens be more receptive than others? I have observed enough males to know they are very different in how they behave. Will there be any behavior indicators at say 6 months, that one could rely on to predict their behavior at 9-10 months? I may have to keep more than I had planned to in hopes that one will be ready at 9-10 months. Thanks.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Barred Rock males can "disappoint" in a few ways. One of my concerns include the lack of athleticism. So many males are just so dang gangly and lack the atheletic build to make them efficient breeders. Comparisons to other breeds may be a bit unfair, but observing the abilities of a Rhodle Island Red male, just for example, to circle, mount and mate with amazing efficiency makes so many of these Rock males look really, really bad. That's all.

I do not believe that Rock males lack the production of sperm, so I've asked myself where the infertitlity issues come from? Is it over fluffed females? We all know of Orp breeders trimming fluff feather on their stock to enable breeding. There's something so inherently wrong in all that, I'll just leave it alone. But if that is seen to also be an obstacle for Rocks, then let them die out. Rocks should NOT have this issue and if they do? Then it is just as well that don't make more chicks after their kind. Helping birds mate is almost as bad as helping chicks out of shells. I don't want any part of that mess, thank you, no.

I believe in our birds, I observed far less desire in the males to mate than I prefer. I have also observed just how absolutely horrendous, horrible maters the young Barred males, in my own clans. Awkward doesn't quite describe it.

Something I intend to work on subsequent generations.

 

[Wolfpug]

My Irving as a 3week old baby (on me), 3 week old hen on box & the whole flock as chicks (with my Australian Shepherd caring for them) & the whole flock older. This was from early 1990's. Bought @ farm supply in Alabama. Was told they were Dominackers by some & Plymouth Barred Rock by others. I LOVED them either way.

 

[speckledhen]

Just popping in, Fred and Scott, to show what Atlas has produced with the Stukel BR hens. This is Lizzie, now 26 weeks old. If you recall, Atlas is the son of Rex, who was Delaware x Stukel BR hen, and Ida, the largest Stukel hen. Not sure which Stukel hen is Lizzie's mother. I hatched 3 pullets and she was the best of those.
Again, thanks to Bob Blosl who gave me a path to follow. Atlas has some flaws but he sure is starting to produce some fine daughters with his mother and aunts.





Now, I have a pullet out of Atlas with his mother, Ida. This is Tessa, only 10 weeks old, so she has some changing to do. I'm not sure she will be as nice as Lizzie, but hard to say yet. She's already improved tremendously. I have had a few others but didn't keep them, trying not to add to my numbers until some of my oldsters die out; and they are hanging on with a vengeance. Some are almost 9 years old.





I've had zero fertility issues with Atlas, mostly 100%. He's a year and a half old now, but he's 1/4 Delaware, too, and they rarely have those issues. His grandsire sure doesn't and he's almost 7 years old.

 

[Fentress]

Thanks. I agree with not helping them mate. So far, and of course this is based on very limited experience, my males have been OK. I have been mindful/watchful for a lack of coordination or physical skills just because they are so BIG! But, so far I think they are fine. Maybe, the free range I give them from day one helps with that? Now, when a big K got into a fight with an older little game cock that I had, this spring, he did not look very athletic, but that is an unfair comparison. I will try to look for the K's that seem to be a little more with it than the others, hopefully that corresponds with good type as well.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Cynthia, so good to see this pullet. Very, very nice bird.

 

[speckledhen]

Cynthia, so good to see this pullet. Very, very nice bird.

Thank you, Fred! I'm pleased with what Atlas is throwing now, but it helps to have an expert, unbiased opinion.

 

[PN4136]

Hey Fred, if i had a bunch of birds i wanted to dunk in permethrin water as a preventative. Some bird have mites but i havent checked all. Would one tub of with dust absorbed in to it be okay? Just thinking with 30 birds for health of my lungs and mine maybebath would be easier?

Thanks for your insight!

Right now i dont see any on my columbian rocks bantams, but a few of my LF sussex and langshans do and ive been told darker feathered bird are more prone to mites.

 

[Fred's Hens]

This is just my opinion and experience. I am not an expert, by any means, regarding this stuff. That said, dusting birds can be sort of nasty work and pretty wasteful sometimes of the product. Plus, the operator should mask up to prevent breathing that stuff, so it would seem.

I would much, much rather dip them like the sheep ranchers do. They run their herds through and everybody gets a dip.

May not be possible to dip 50 birds in one sitting, but it certainly is best to dip all the birds of a pen or close contact.
There are a number of good products. Monterey (spinosad) and some pretty good ones made purely from chrysanthemum oils.

There are many, many articles which touch on this subject, here on BYC and elsewhere as well.
But this thread isn't primarily focused on husbandry nor pests, so I don't wish to take this whole conversation too far afield.

 

[chickery-do]

I have angora rabbits and I give them a trim down there when I want my girl to be matted with a buck from another clan. I want to make sure I get what I paid for lol!
Change of subject
I'm from Gorham, NH and I am looking for someone close by who would be willing to sell me some Plymouth rock ld like them to be very young hens, pullets or chicks. I'd prefer not having to travel to Manchester but give me their names and I'll try to about 15 +/- have them email me! That would be great and Thank you for your help! I'd also like some Americaunas. I think I spelled it wrong. I'm down to my last one and she's 9 yrs old. I'd love to get some colored eggs, it's been awhile!
Again, thank you