The Rhodebar thread!

[TNBEARCHICK]

We are actually selling Rhodebar chicks for $15 each, just trying to get more people to learn and enjoy them.

 

[melroseladi]

We are actually selling Rhodebar chicks for $15 each, just trying to get more people to learn and enjoy them.

Could you post some pics of your chicks and parent stock?

Penny

 

[RedRidge]

We are actually selling Rhodebar chicks for $15 each, just trying to get more people to learn and enjoy them.

I sell by pre order only and make sure folks know they are unimproved. I won't set eggs until I receive payment. I provide parent pics at hatch and current parent pics, egg pics, and cull all chicks that aren't easily autosexed - which doesn't happen now since I'm only breeding those who passed all the tests.
Pairs are $45, trios are $75.
I have a waiting list thru mid may. I won't hatch in the summer.

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

I sell by pre order only and make sure folks know they are unimproved. I won't set eggs until I receive payment. I provide parent pics at hatch and current parent pics, egg pics, and cull all chicks that aren't easily autosexed - which doesn't happen now since I'm only breeding those who passed all the tests.
Pairs are $45, trios are $75.
I have a waiting list thru mid may. I won't hatch in the summer.

We heavy cull anything that does not have clear marking at hatch. Sure don't want to have that mess. We are currently not working on improving ours but plan on it in the future but probably no until next year or the year after. I need to decide how I am going to set up my breeding program for them. We hatch extra so as to be able to have some laying hens available for folks also.

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

Could you post some pics of your chicks and parent stock?

Penny

I can of the chicks I will need to get better photos of the parents, the resolution on the adult pictures are grainy.

 

[RedRidge]

Concerning brooding, heat plates, etc... Some things I discovered this year with the unusually cold temps...
It doesn't matter.
The only thing that seems affected by bitter temps is my heat plates. I have 2, a small brinsea and a large one from premier one, and I love them but they simply put out inadequate heat when we get below freezing. So, I use those for newly hatched chicks in the basement until they are a few days old, then I move them to the outside brooder. I have been pretty worked about some of the temps here since I brood outside and guess what? I haven't lost one chick. They are much hardier than we think. We got down in the lower 20 s the last two nights and even though my brooder is outside with the top and several sides open, all chicks from 5 days old up have done fine. I that might help you with your decision as to when you can outside brood. I do pin towels to the sides (not the top), when I know it is going to get below freezing or be especially windy. I will find a pic and post for you but you will see that my brooder provides very little shelter yet seems to be more than adequate.

 

[melroseladi]

Concerning brooding, heat plates, etc... Some things I discovered this year with the unusually cold temps...
It doesn't matter.
The only thing that seems affected by bitter temps is my heat plates. I have 2, a small brinsea and a large one from premier one, and I love them but they simply put out inadequate heat when we get below freezing. So, I use those for newly hatched chicks in the basement until they are a few days old, then I move them to the outside brooder. I have been pretty worked about some of the temps here since I brood outside and guess what? I haven't lost one chick. They are much hardier than we think. We got down in the lower 20 s the last two nights and even though my brooder is outside with the top and several sides open, all chicks from 5 days old up have done fine. I that might help you with your decision as to when you can outside brood. I do pin towels to the sides (not the top), when I know it is going to get below freezing or be especially windy. I will find a pic and post for you but you will see that my brooder provides very little shelter yet seems to be more than adequate.

I know the Brinsea can only be used to 50 degree ambient temperature. Premier didn't have the answer as to the ambient temp when I emailed them and are supposed to be checking on that with manufacturer. The sweeter heater is advertised to be used outdoors in barns etc so I would think they are able to be used with lower ambient temps.

I know as long as the chicks have heat when they need it they do fine outdoors. My hens raise their chicks outdoors even when it is below freezing. My older F1's are indoors and have been off heat for weeks but my room stays at around 70. My issue is I do not want to use lamps in or outdoors. There is just to much risk so unless I can figure out a way to keep them warm especially at night, I am stuck with them in my room.

Penny

 

[RedRidge]

When I do use heat lamps out in the barn I use the ones premier one sells. They have a safety cover on them to prevent fires even if they are dropped. I have some that are 9 years old and love them... Although they do require a lot more power than the heat plates

 

[melroseladi]

When I do use heat lamps out in the barn I use the ones premier one sells. They have a safety cover on them to prevent fires even if they are dropped. I have some that are 9 years old and love them... Although they do require a lot more power than the heat plates

We don't have power out at the pens so everything would have to be run through extension cords so really not safe. Hopefully winter will end soon and the temps at night will start being more seasonable. I went today and got the flooring for the brooder, yeah. Getting there. Checked on that little F1 that is out in the breeder pen and it is doing good.

Penny

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

These were 2 I hatched before Christmas. I have 2 pens divided and will soon have one more divided off of that one. One of the pens is resulting in much darker males with white spot on the head and the females darker also. I am retaining the darkest ones to grow up and breed.