The Rhodebar thread!

[nicalandia]

I would like to purchase some heritage RIR chicks to cross into my Rhodebar line. Is there anything in particular that I should look for in the pullets physically aside from good brick type and a rich dark color? I hope my question makes sense..

I think the Word Heritage is meant for very good quality RIR right?

 

[Dahlisgrams]

I think the Word Heritage is meant for very good quality RIR right?

I believe so.. good old fashioned type is what comes to mind. Not hatchery, imo.

However, all heritage birds are not created equal. Sorry for asking a stupid question.

 

[Makomd]

I think that would be the main idea-- brick shape and dark almost black. Many of the older strains will show nice dark horn in the beak as well as marbled legs.

 

[Makomd]

Check out this thread for Heritage RIR.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/407294/the-heritage-rhode-island-red-site

tons of pictures.

 

[Dahlisgrams]

I think that would be the main idea-- brick shape and dark almost black. Many of the older strains will show nice dark horn in the beak as well as marbled legs.

I hope I'm able to find a good line. It's a wonderful breed.

Check out this thread for Heritage RIR.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/407294/the-heritage-rhode-island-red-site

tons of pictures.

Thanks very much for the link! I'm going to research the heck out of this before making a decision. I really appreciate the help.

 

[western edge]

If color and shape is what your going for but along with that you will also be getting slow maturing and less than average egg production with the "heritage" RIR

 

[Dahlisgrams]

If color and shape is what your going for but along with that you will also be getting slow maturing and less than average egg production with the "heritage" RIR

I was hoping the heritage RIRs would help with the overall shape and color in the line. Phenotype is important, but function is also crucial, I agree. I haven't figured out exactly how to do it yet, and will have to do some test breedings, but I also have some great producing production RIR hens that I may use as well. I figured between the two, I could work towards a darker, more mahogany bird and still keep the high rate of lay. It's a work in progress, for sure. I still have a lot of reading and test breeding to do.

The production RIRs have good dispositions and size and that's important to me as well. Have to start somewhere though.

 

[western edge]

I was using a nice heritage line of RIR from Pine Grove over dominique hens to make sexlink layers and although they were beautiful brick style,rosecomb black sexlinks, that have been laying ito their 3rd year now, they are slow to mature and were not the prolific every day an egg type - not what people want in a layer. But I would think you could eventualy create a great looking strain with the heritage reds and they still do lay lots of eggs just not as many and not as soon. Good luck.
Mel

 

[Keystonechick2]

Hello All,
My first run of Rhodebar hatching eggs are now a couple of weeks old! Can anyone help me identify or sex them based on the attached photos? Not sure if the two chicks in the third photo are Rhodebars? I mixed several different breed together since they hatched at the same time.
Thanks!!

 

[tadkerson]

Hello All,
My first run of Rhodebar hatching eggs are now a couple of weeks old! Can anyone help me identify or sex them based on the attached photos? Not sure if the two chicks in the third photo are Rhodebars? I mixed several different breed together since they hatched at the same time.
Thanks!!




Do not know what happened but they ll look like males to me. You should be able to sex them at hatch ( after they dry) the males are a lighter color than the females. That is if the males have two barring genes and the females are barred.

Tim