Smokie is a Bluebelle type hybrid, which means she is a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Cuckoo Maran. We are told that this is very placid and docile breed, but when Amber tries to show her she's boss, Smokie fights back.
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| Smokie saying 'hello' to Amber. She didn't seem aggressive. |
Fudge is a Black Rock type hybrid, although not an officially bred Black Rock. She is a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Plymouth Barr Rock. She is very small at the moment even though she is meant to be the same age as Smokie. The Black Rock type chickens are meant to be hardy birds bred for their good eggshell quality. Fudge seems to know she's no match for the bigger birds and is very submissive so far. When the sun shines on her black feathers they are iridescent.
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| Fudge is wondering if she likes cabbage. |
Beautiful birds - look like my Polly and Gwen but in far better nick as mine are (k)nickerless!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. We'll see how long they keep their 'knickers'.
ReplyDeleteFascinating breed choices - sounds like you are loving being a hen owner! Nicola http://aroundbritainnoplane.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWe are, Nicola, on a good day. We're hoping very much that we won't lose any more for a good while yet.
ReplyDeleteGood choices there :-) Bluebelles are a lovely breed - love their big black feet and legs! I had a lovely Bluebelle called Lavender - sadly one of the hens the Fox got last week :-(
ReplyDeleteFudge looks more like a Rhode Rock - similar breeding lines but lighter and more golden - but same egg laying capacity. Again I have had several who were all lovely hens.
I hope they stay with you for many years to come.
The breeder said she was a Black Rock. Fudge had more brown markings that the others, which is why we chose her; we liked the contrast. She is a lot smaller than Amber or Smokie, so we're hoping she will grow a bit. Anna and Bella were also bigger at her age.
ReplyDeleteRhode Rocks are same parentage as Black Rocks, just different proportions of the bloodlines IYSWIM? Anyway, she looks lovely and I am sure will lay lots of tasty light brown eggs for you :-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't gone into the genetics of chickens, so I'll take your word for it. I've noticed a previous approved breeder of Black Rocks locally is off the list and now calls them Black Rhodes. It all sounds very complicated.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing is that they both remain healthy and well and lay eggs without complication.
Black Rocks are a trademarked breed I think -
ReplyDeleteBtw, I wasn't suggesting Fudge was not a Black Rock, just commenting she also looked like one of my Rhode Rocks. Still, whatever they are called they are all lovely looking birds - hope they are doing well and laying for you :-)
I see. I guess if the parents are similar then they will look pretty much the same. I had also got the impression that 'Black Rock' is a trademark. I don't know if they have a generic name.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful girls!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with them Karin!
Kay :)
Thanks, Kay. We certainly hope we'll have better luck with these two.
ReplyDeleteAh - same breeding but maybe better bloodlines with the Black Rocks? - so better final hens. All Black Rock coloured hens are not Black Rocks, apparently!
ReplyDelete"The "Black Rock" Hybrid for example is a registered name for a Rhode Island Red / Barred Plymouth Rock cross that comes from Crosslee Poultry Farm in Scotland. Every seller in the UK must buy their Black Rock chickens from this hatchery since the name is protected and refers to the hybrid that is produced from their specific strains. There are many other names for the same type of cross that are used by breeders but the type of hen you get may well perform differently."
Got this from a breeders page in the UK ( and same info on lots more)
so that explains it ;-) Same basic parentage but depends on where the breeder got them from. :-) Omlet Mrs Pepperpots are the same background (Bovans Nera) I have had them, Black Rocks and Rhode Rocks, and they were all lovely birds.
Still lovely birds, regardless of which name.
Yes, Sarah, I've seen that, too from the website www.theblackrockhatchery.co.uk
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is interested there is a list of approved agents on that website. I suspect a true 'Black Rock' is quite expensive, but they are meant to be bred specially for specific traits.
The breeder we got our Black Rock from was not approved, so who knows what she is officially. I hadn't realised Bovans Nera was the same basic breed. I see it's also known as Black Star and Rhodes Rock. Rhodes Rock at least describes the parentage, so maybe I'll use that in future.
Whatever you call the breed, Fudge is a pretty bird and seems quite sweet so far. She comes very close to us for protection from Amber, and is fairly easy to pick up, but is still quite nervous of us.
As I said, regardless of the name or copyright - all lovely lovely hens :-) I am sure Fudge will be a very friendly and productive addition to your flock :-)
ReplyDeleteFunnilly enough I saw some lovely Black Rocks today :-) was very tempted to get some :-)
Maybe you'll be able to get some soon. :)
ReplyDeleteHope so!
ReplyDeleteWith regards the picking up Fudge - she will get more friendly as the days go buy - I always have something to eat in my pocket whenever I go out so a new bird rapidly gets to know I mean food! Also take advantage of every time she squats for you to pick her up and gentle her. (But, if she has not yet started laying, she won't be doing this yet)
As regards getting her out at bedtime - I have found that not to work, but I know other people say it does.
Sometimes, though, some hens are less friendly than others and don't like being handled very much.
Hope this helps?
So what your saying, Sarah, is that it's a matter of cupboard love. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes ;-)
ReplyDeleteMostly ;-)
Although I have a few hens who just want love :-)and the food is a bonus!