Windy hill chickens - first flock(s) of my own

[Mother of Chaos]

…Was really hoping to keep at least one of the two rock boys but they both have quite narrow set legs and are somewhat knock-kneed. Not ideal for birds that are already chunky at almost 16 weeks old and only going to get heavier - A already looks like he's struggling slightly at times, and spends more time sitting than I'd like - and definitely not a trait I want to pass on future generations….

I’m guessing that you’re referring to a Plymouth Rock, Barred Rock, Amrock, etc.?

If so, I understand why you’re concerned about the legs.

My breeder-(non)quality Barred Rock has very wide-set legs, even though she’s hatchery-quality. She’s not a chonk (yet), but she’s definitely from a dual-purpose lineage, and her skeleton needs to be able to handle either scenario.

 

[kattabelly]

I’m guessing that you’re referring to a Plymouth Rock, Barred Rock, Amrock, etc.?

Plymouth Barred Rock. This is B, the smaller of the two.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Plymouth Barred Rock. This is B, the smaller of the two.

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Wow! Although I'll confess that since I don't have cockerels or roosters, I don't have a good feel for how they're supposed to look. Maybe females have a broader pelvis, so their legs are farther apart?

I can't find a good pic of my Rock (she won't hold still long enough), but that's her in the background at about 7 months:

 

[kattabelly]

Wow! Although I'll confess that since I don't have cockerels or roosters, I don't have a good feel for how they're supposed to look. Maybe females have a broader pelvis, so their legs are farther apart?

It's the knock-kneed-ness (say that five times, fast!) more than just how wide their legs are set. I doubt I'd be bothered enough to write them off and look for alternatives at this point if they were the only cockerels I had but it's something to consider when comparing them to other options. And I do plan to selectively cull over future generations in favour of heavy, fast growing birds on the meatier end of "dual purpose" - nothing as extreme as commercial broilers, but being able to comfortably support their own weight and move around is still a concern when the keepers will be living full lives and not just the few months it takes to get them up to slaughter weight.

Not that breeding show winning birds is a goal for me, but I've been reading @speckledhen's Omega Rocks thread and she mentions stance as being something to look for e.g. here and a couple of posts later (speckledhen - no obligation to read any of this or reply, just tagging you because it feels rude to mention someone 'behind their back' as it were)

It's really hard to judge when they're standing naturally and when they're just in an odd position though - I took these today, just moments apart.

A (couldn't get a shot of him today where it was as pronounced as it sometimes is):

B:

And the two older barnyard mix cockerels for comparison. They're both standing much more upright than the Rocks are in their photos but when these two lean over to peck at the ground, their hocks bend in more of a straight backwards direction rather than inwards.

Speaking of the older boys, they both went off to roost tonight while "their" pullet was still busy chickening around the far end of the plot. (The Sussex pullets have started sharing their coop at night now but still prefer to be with the others during the day.) She knows the way back but it was getting dark by the time she realised they'd gone and I had to guide her back myself. I don't expect perfect flock leader behaviour at their age, without an older cock to learn from, but not being even the slightest bit bothered about her being missing is a mark against them.

 

[kattabelly]

Sorry, gave up on editing the awful sentence structure in that ^

 

[Mother of Chaos]

It's the knock-kneed-ness (say that five times, fast!) more than just how wide their legs are set. I doubt I'd be bothered enough to write them off and look for alternatives at this point if they were the only cockerels I had but it's something to consider when comparing them to other options. And I do plan to selectively cull over future generations in favour of heavy, fast growing birds on the meatier end of "dual purpose" - nothing as extreme as commercial broilers, but being able to comfortably support their own weight and move around is still a concern when the keepers will be living full lives and not just the few months it takes to get them up to slaughter weight.

Not that breeding show winning birds is a goal for me, but I've been reading @speckledhen's Omega Rocks thread and she mentions stance as being something to look for e.g. here and a couple of posts later (speckledhen - no obligation to read any of this or reply, just tagging you because it feels rude to mention someone 'behind their back' as it were)

It's really hard to judge when they're standing naturally and when they're just in an odd position though - I took these today, just moments apart.

A (couldn't get a shot of him today where it was as pronounced as it sometimes is):
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B:
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And the two older barnyard mix cockerels for comparison. They're both standing much more upright than the Rocks are in their photos but when these two lean over to peck at the ground, their hocks bend in more of a straight backwards direction rather than inwards.
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Speaking of the older boys, they both went off to roost tonight while "their" pullet was still busy chickening around the far end of the plot. (The Sussex pullets have started sharing their coop at night now but still prefer to be with the others during the day.) She knows the way back but it was getting dark by the time she realised they'd gone and I had to guide her back myself. I don't expect perfect flock leader behaviour at their age, without an older cock to learn from, but not being even the slightest bit bothered about her being missing is a mark against them.

I don't think that I'd want to use a knock-kneed roo for breeding purposes. I don't care a bit about most SOP issues - wrong feathering, etc. - but you have good reasons for wanting to have strong body mechanics and overall sturdiness in your flock. I can't help but think that these legs would make a chicken more vulnerable to predation (slower running) plus early-onset arthritis and such.

 

[kattabelly]

I don't think that I'd want to use a knock-kneed roo for breeding purposes. I don't care a bit about most SOP issues - wrong feathering, etc. - but you have good reasons for wanting to have strong body mechanics and overall sturdiness in your flock. I can't help but think that these legs would make a chicken more vulnerable to predation (slower running) plus early-onset arthritis and such.

Predation really isn't too much of a risk here, especially for chonkers like the Rocks, but yeah I'd hate for them or their offspring to end up in pain or having any issues moving around when they're older.

Sod's law these two will stay really sweet and never go through a proper terrible teens phase that makes me want to eat them

 

[kattabelly]

Bitter north wind today has everyone sitting around like grumpy feathered footballs, in between quick trips out to forage when the sun briefly shows its face.

B looking very contrite in the corner there after he'd just tried a half-hearted neck grab on one of the Sussex pullets and got a pasting for his efforts. Not sure he'd even know what to do quite yet if she had squatted for him

The two new girls are settling in well. Still some pecking and chasing going on, and they tend to hang back at meal times, but they're getting plenty to eat and often aren't bothered now when they're out ranging alongside the others. At least one is a flyer! Lucky she's also tame enough to step down onto my arm when offered because I think she was a bit stuck.

Hiding from the scary girls

 

[kattabelly]

I took a few photos when I got that first one and I can't stop laughing at B's face here. Poor boy <3

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I took a few photos when I got that first one and I can't stop laughing at B's face here. Poor boy <3
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"But, but... that's what all the other guys said that girls like!?"

That really is a sad expression. I don't think that I've ever seen a chicken appear guilty before!