We keep Rhode Island Red chickens.
We originally purchased a dozen point of lay pullets in auction at Salisbury Market. Four of these birds met the fox, so then there were only have eight, but they carried on laying quite well.
All eaten now: too old to roast, but they made excellent soup.
We purchased six hybrid pullets. We also hatched another half dozen in the incubator. One of the hens disappeared for two weeks. When she emerged from a large sage bush we realised she had been sitting a clutch. Unfortunately she only managed to hatch one! However he is doing well and will be ready for the pot before Christmas.
The cross between a Light Sussex hen and a Rhode Island Red cock produces light coloured cock chicks and dark coloured pullets. This is sex linkage; it allows the breeder to dispose of the unwanted male birds before they have eaten too much food.
The current flock is almost pure Rhode Island Red. There are just a couple of older hens with Hyline characteristics. There are now 6 old hens and two old cocks. we have 11 young birds, but two of them (cockerels) are destined for the pot. The young hens are point of lay.
